Alabar News 2009

August 2009

Real Desire

Real Desire – He’s Back Plus Three New Stallions

Page 2 - Alabar News - August 2009

Welcome

We are delighted to announce some wonderfully exciting additions to our stallion roster:

The last twelve months have been absolutely astounding for our stallions:

• Firstly we are absolutely thrilled to have Real Desire back. His first crop of Southern Hemisphere foals is magnificent and we’re sure breeders will be just as excited as us about the return of “the Desire”.

• Village Jasper is headed for his first Australian Sires Premiership.

• Alabar NZ have been looking to buy a son of Christian Cullen with the x-factor. We believe we have found him in Gotta Go Cullect.

• Alabar Australia have purchased the beautifully bred 2008 Oliver Wendell Holmes winner Tiz A Masterpiece.

• We have secured the frozen semen from the US bred European champion Luxury As.

We now ask breeders to book early to Real Desire as there is little doubt he too will be serving a full book of mares.

The full Alabar brochure will again be distributed at the end of August - after the Australasian Breeders Crown. Having received this Alabar News you will also receive the Alabar brochure.

• Art Major is on target to break Fake Left’s Australian stake earning record for two year olds.

• Grinfromeartoear has been on fire right around the world.

Should you require any further information in the way of a DVD of the stallions, pedigree assessments or breeding advice please contact us or one of our staff at the contact numbers on this page.

• Elsu’s first crop of two year olds has created an excellent impression and has laid a tremendous foundation for the future.

All the very best in your breeding and racing endeavours.

Art Major and Grinfromeartoear are both full and closed for the 2009/10 season. We would like to not only thank you for your support of these stallions but also for your tolerance in the event of missing out in the face of the huge demand.

THE PASTURES ARE GREEN The many years of drought and below average rainfall have made farming in Australia a difficult business since the turn of the century.

However, at Alabar in Victoria we are hopeful of better years ahead and for the past two years have spent many thousands of dollars improving the pastures on the 1500 acre property.

Tom Galloway, the 23 year old son of Alan, has managed this programme in conjunction with a local agronomist which has seen some 300 acres sown down to a range of grasses and clovers including Italian ryegrass, Voyager perennial ryegrass, Matua prairie grass, Berseem clover and oats.

In addition, a three mega litre dam has recently been constructed to increase the water supply available for stock. In September a further 20 acres will be sown down in Lucerne.

John Coffey – Alabar Bloodstock, Australia Graeme Henley – Alabar (NZ) Ltd

DATES TO REMEMBER AUSTRALASIAN BREEDERS CROWN

Sunday 23 August TAPCORP PARK, MELTON (tickets available via Ticketmaster)

NZ BREEDING SEMINARS Christchurch – Monday 31 August Invercargill – Tuesday 1 September

BLUE RIBBON BROODMARE SALE, STALLION PARADE and APG YEARLING SEMINAR Sunday 20 September ALABAR BLOODSTOCK, ECHUCA, VICTORIA

ALABAR FIRST DAYS OF COLLECTION AUSTRALIA – Friday 2 October NEW ZEALAND – Monday 21 September

Important Contact Details Alabar Australia Phone Numbers (+61):

Office Fax John Coffey (General Manager) Manny Curtis (Stud Manager) Tom Galloway (Farm Manager) Brett Coffey (Marketing and Pedigree Manager)

Email Addresses:

As can be seen from the above photo, the farm is currently in excellent condition and we are in a position to offer agistment for extra mares on a permanent basis.

Alabar’s (Australia) current agistment rates are $7.70 per day for dry mares and $11 per day for wet mares.

Some impressive broodmares have also been added to Alabar’s balance sheet over the past 12-18 months. These include the good WA racemare Charlotte Church (1:59.2, $86,280) plus sisters or half sisters to Rocknrolla (1:58.4, $157,000), Nemeeshar (1:58.2, $331,230), Party Date (1:56, $256,000), Hexus (1:55, $555,199), The Reckoning (1:57.5, $269,372) and Lifeinthe Fast Lane (1:58.8, $121,900).

Photo acknowledgements: Nigel Soult, Monica Thors, The Canadian Sportsman, Joseph Kyle, David Landry, Lisa Photos (The Meadowlands), New Image Media (Clive Cohen), Gary Wild, Trish Dunell

General Enquiries Sally Burgess Liz Birnie Brett Coffey Manny Curtis Tom Galloway

03 5859 2201 (8am – 4pm) 03 5859 2206 03 5859 2100, 0418 500 211 0438 887 708 0408 505 416 03 5859 2100, 0423 812 652 alabar@alabar.com.au sally@alabar.com.au liz@alabar.com.au brett@alabar.com.au manny@alabar.com.au tom@alabar.com.au

Alabar New Zealand Phone Numbers (+64):

Office (Hayley McNamara) Graeme Henley (General Manager) Wayne McNamara (Studmaster) Carla Robertson-Holmes (South Island Rep)

Email Addresses:

General Enquiries Graeme Henley Hayley McNamara Carla Robertson-Holmes

09 232 1800 Fax 09 232 1799 09 232 1800, 027 4870 901 09 232 1800 03 312 9314, 021 713 317 alabar@alabar.co.nz graeme@alabar.co.nz hayley@alabar.co.nz carla@alabar.co.nz

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Alabar News - August 2009 -

Page 3

THE DESIRE IS REAL – AGAIN He’s one of the leading sires in the world today – and he’s back.

11 in 1:50, 42 $100,000 winners, 11 $250,000 winners, $36,798 average earnings per foal and $55,130 average earnings per starter.

Real Desire also has a proven ability to sire a superstar – his first crop included the millionaire racehorse and now soughtafter sire Tell All, USA’s Three Year Old Year Pacer of the Year in 2007.

Amazingly Real Desire has achieved what he has to date standing in the stakesstarved state of Kentucky – even so his 2008 yearlings sold for up to $100,000. Later this year his first Pennsylvania sired yearlings will sell. Their slots-enriched sires stakes programme is expected to turbo charge the sales prices and earning potential of the Real Desires.

Real Desire has served a full book in each of the three years he has been in Pennsylvania – 160 mares in 2009 at a US$7,000 stud fee.

Real Desire will arrive back in New Zealand in September. We can hardly wait.

Real Desire – one of the greatest racehorses of the modern era

One of the greatest racehorses of the modern era, Real Desire retired to stud with $3,159,814 in earnings - the third richest pacer of all time.

Real Desire was a world champion in every sense – a great two year old, the winner of the Meadowlands Pace and Breeders Crown as a three year old and the dominant free for aller as a four year old.

In 2007 - his only previous trip to the Southern Hemisphere – the arrival of Real Desire was THE story of the breeding season. He captured the imagination of breeders and his book was full before he even set foot in the country.

Real Desire encountered some health issues in 2008 and was unable to return to New Zealand. With an advance book that was close to full, this was a huge disappointment to us and the breeders of New Zealand and Australia.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. If that is case with Real Desire – and you would expect it would be - breeders will really have to book early. Especially as we already could just about fill his book with the list of people who have said, “if Real Desire ever comes back put me in.”

What’s more with Art Major and Grinfromeartoear already full and closed, pressure for bookings to Real Desire will be intense.

Real Desire’s crop of foals in New Zealand and Australia are outstanding types.

We’ve had wonderful feedback from breeders impressed by their type, presence and uniformly good size. The Real Desires are expected to star at the 2010 round of yearling sales.

In 2008 Real Desire was North America’s No.1 sire of 1:53 two year olds, with nine to his credit – nearly double that of the next-leading sire.

In 2008 Real Desire was North America’s No.1 sire of 1:53 two year olds, with nine to his credit – nearly double that of the next-leading sire. These fabulous freshmen were led by the World Champion Sheer Desire (1:49.3) – equal with Somebeachsomewhere as the fastest two year old ever.

Real Desire’s 2008 two year olds earned US$1.4 million and his three year olds US$2 million.

With only three crops of racing age (to the end of 2008) Real Desire has already sired the winners of over US$15 million. He ranks right up with pacing’s elite sires.

Real Desire’s stats from these three crops are compelling – 101 in 1:55, 56 in 1:53,

Sheer Desire (by Real Desire) – equal with Somebeachsomewhere as the fastest two year old ever

Mating notes of interest: • Of great relevance to New Zealand breeders, the millionaire Tell All is by Real Desire out of an Albatross mare. What’s more, Real Desire’s world champion two year old, Sheer Desire is out of a mare by the Albatross stallion Kiev Hanover.

• Of Real Desire’s top ten performers two are out of mares by Beach Towel and two are out of mares by Beach Towel’s son Jenna’s Beach Boy. • Real Desire is from the same close-up dams family as Grinfromeartoear, Safely Kept, Panorama and Rustler Hanover. Doubling up of this family produced Tell All for Real Desire and Smiling Shard, Make Me Smile and Rocknrolla for Grinfromeartoear.

• Many of Real Desire’s best performers have Most Happy Fella coming through their first or second dam.

Page 4 - Alabar News - August 2009

ROCKNROLL, GRINNERS AND BIG RACE WINNERS Back in 2006, Alabar outlaid a seven figure sum to purchase the then ten year old son of Artsplace and Smile Upon in Grinfromeartoear.

That decision is becoming very fruitful as, not only has Grin covered big books of mares for the past three years, he has now become one of the hottest property sires in the Southern Hemisphere.

Grinfromeartoear has produced in the Southern Hemisphere to date numerous outstanding horses from either Safely Kept or Panorama mares: Make Me Smile (Panorama mare) 1.54.6 $515,138, Smiling Shard (Panorama mare) 1.53.7 $334,825 and Rocknrolla (Safely Kept mare) 1.58.5 $157,800.

Grinning In New Zealand As Well Smiling Shard has been the revelation of the New Zealand two year old racing season. The son of Grinfromeartoear started the season as what appeared to be a well-schooled, come-early type. As the season unfolded he showed he was so much more.

He has raced more, won more often and won more money that any other two year old pacer in the country.

His season has not yet ended – he’s off to the Breeders Crown – but he is already a dual Group 1 winner and, with a 1:53.7 win in the Jewels, New Zealand’s fastest ever two year old.

CRAN DALGETY, trainer of Smiling Shard, recently had this to say …

Mr Feelgood (by Grinfromeartoear) – won the AG Hunter Cup and Interdominion

He currently sits in second place for individual winners on the Australian Two Year Old Sires List and third on the prize money section of the same list.

In New Zealand, he has sired Smiling Shard (a certainty to win the NZ Two Year Old of the Year title) and let’s not forget the performance of his imported son Mr Feelgood who collected trophies for both the AG Hunter Cup and Interdominion.

Back in the USA, last year’s Aged Pacer of the Year Mister Big has made a successful return to the racetrack, the three year old filly Not Enough (1.50) has 9 starts for 9 wins including the Fan Hanover Final and Lismore Final and an exciting two year old colt Grin For Money (1.53.2) has also been unearthed in Canada.

“I thought early on that he would be right up there with the precocious two year olds but towards the end of the season I thought he may get surpassed by the bigger, stronger ones.

“He had his first trial in the first week of October, and raced right through to the Jewels at the end of May. He’s had 14 starts. Due to his size there’s no wear and tear, and his attitude is what gets him through. His forte is that he is more mature than most of his age.

Friday 10th July 2009 The newly opened facility at Tabcorp Park was the setting for the two $100,000 Two Year Old Vicbred Finals and what a night it was for Grinfromeartoear.

The tough and talented filly Rocknrolla was the first Grin to excel. After being burdened with yet another horror draw in a major race, she had to work three wide and then to the breeze early in the race. With her reinsman Brian Gath applying pressure a long way from home (third quarter in 28.3), Rocknrolla surged to the front on the Alabar home bend. Although there was a long straight to hold off any challenges, these didn’t eventuate and Rocknrolla recorded an exciting and impressive victory – mile rate of 1.58.5 for the 2230 metre trip.

Bred by loyal Alabar client Trevor Gluck and sold at the 2008 Age Sale in Melbourne, Rocknrolla is now owned by Bill Stewart and trained by his daughter Emma. Rocknrolla’s only two losses for the year have come with shocking back row draws.

The second chapter to Grin’s great night came with the withering finish of the inexperienced colt Grinnersawinner. The big colt, trained by Kyabram based Mick Blackmore, was having only his fourth lifetime start in the final and his record now stands at 4 starts, 3 wins and $76,000 in prizemoney.

Darren McGill, who lives across the road from Alabar’s farm in northern Victoria, bred the colt from his Stonebridge Scooter mare Rock Me and races him in partnership with other family members and S. Dunlop.

Grin And Safely Kept – A Great Mix Grinfromeartoear and Safely Kept descend from the same maternal family – commonly referred to as the Golden Miss family, as also does the champion NSW sire Panorama.

Is it a coincidence or is it the Rasmussen factor coming to the fore when

Smiling Shard (by Grinfromeartoear) and Dexter Dunn – a history making combination

“We fly to Melbourne on August 2, and have our first start at Melton in an open two year old race on August 7. The semi-final for the Breeders Crown is 15th August.

Dexter will drive him in all of those races.

“He’s improved and bulked up, really looks like a two year old colt now and probably put on 16-18kg.”

Smiling Shard will also have a special place in the New Zealand harness racing annals – on 26 July 2009 he became the horse that provided Dexter Dunn with his 200th winner for the season. Dexter is the first driver (or jockey) to win 200 races in a season in New Zealand.

Grin is certainly on a roll. He is the horse with the midas touch.

Alabar News - August 2009 -

Page 5

GOTTA GO CULLECT

He’s got it all going on - pedigree, speed, heart and physique

Gotta Go Cullect – an “excitement machine”

Alabar have always wanted to stand a son of Christian Cullen.

We wanted a Cullen that looked like Cullen – a Cullen that had the Cullen x-factor.

Gotta Go Cullect was a horse that really excited us as a two year old. He had the Cullen look to him. He had the Cullen speed and the Cullen “arrogance” in the way he carried himself on the race track.

Gotta Go Cullect was an exceptional juvenile – described in the media as an “excitement machine”. He was a superstar in the making.

A cruel injury might have cut short what promised to be a brilliant career. But Gotta Go Cullect had already shown us – and many others – that he had the x-factor we were looking for.

What’s more, he has a stallion’s pedigree being by a champion out of a champion.

What’s more, he has a stallion’s pedigree being by a champion out of a champion.

His dam is one of Australasia’s greatest ever – and certainly toughest - race fillies in Elect To Live. The winner of 19 races and $577,992, Elect To Live won six Group 1 races in a stellar career as a two and three year old.

As a three year old she was herculean. She won the NZ and Great Northern Oaks and then ventured to Australia where she won the NSW Oaks and outmuscled the best Australian colts in winning the

Australian Derby. She was the 2001/02 NZ Harness Horse of the Year and the 2001/02 Australian Three Year Old Pacer of the Year.

At stud Elect To Live has not only produced Gotta Go Cullect but also his full sister Gotta Go Harmony – the brilliant winner of the 2009 Harness Jewels for 2yo fillies in a New Zealand record 1:55.5.

We are thrilled to announce that we have purchased Gotta Go Cullect – a horse that we are confident has the pedigree, speed, heart and physique to make a successful sire.

In his first race start Gotta Go Cullect jogged to victory at Alexandra Park in 1:59.4.

His second start was in the Te Awamutu Juvenile Stakes at Cambridge – and what a run it was. He was caught three and four wide through a 27.4 first quarter and kept pressing forward to get the lead with 1000m to run. He then showed plenty of heart to hold off all challengers to win comfortably in 1:59.8.

It was then back to Auckland for an easy victory in 2:00.8.

This was then followed by a career defining performance against a top field in the Group 3 Cardigan Bay Stakes at Auckland. He showed superior gate speed to lead, was taken on several times and still had enough ability and stamina to hold off Highview Tommy and Tintin In America in a New Zealand record 1:57 mile rate for the 1700m.

After this sensational start to his career things haven’t gone right for Gotta Go Cullect.

In the words of trainer Sue Martin …

“He was only ever right those first four starts as a two year old. After that the beach was bad with lots of soft sand and he’s stepped in one of those soft spots at speed. He’s hurt his leg and he’s never been the same since. We’ve only ever been able to patch him up.

“We took him to Christchurch for the big two year old races but things flared up and he came home without racing.

“He came back as a three year old and won first up beating some nice horses. After that he had the two races against the good three year olds where he did all the work and got run down late by Stunin Cullen. He wasn’t anywhere near right.

He was just running on heart. Have a look at the replays he wasn’t pacing as true as he was as a two year old. He was hurting but he still gave it everything and only just got beat.

“Of course he had speed but he was just so tough – that’s what made him better than the others.

“Of course he had speed but he was just so tough – that’s what made him better than the others.”

“He just loved to race and tried so hard – which was probably the undoing of him. It’s almost like he didn’t want to let on something was hurting him. Even when he wasn’t 100% he just gave it everything.

“If we could have just kept him right who knows what he would have been capable of. His potential was unbelievable.

“I’m breeding eight of my own mares to him this season - including the dam of Gotta Go Cullen - and I can’t wait to train the foals. He’ll be a good sire. You mark my words.

“He’s just a lovely horse. He’s got so much personality about him, he’s almost human.

“He was just something special. I’m going to miss having him around. He was my favourite … “

Page 6 - Alabar News - August 2009

Village Jasper – Perfect In Every Way “Oh lord it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way” – the words to a song that just seem to fit Village Jasper so well He is handsome, he is smart and now he’s Australia’s leading sire.

As at 23rd July his progeny earnings for the 2008/09 season stood at $3,701,000 – some $100,000 clear of his nearest rivals Armbro Operative and Live Or Die who are locked in a battle for second position.

Village Jasper was represented at the Gold Coast Interdominions this year by his three sons Mister Swinger, Decorated Jasper and Tip Your Hat. Two of his three year old colts have also distinguished themselves with Group 1 victories this year.

Village Of Dreams, courtesy of a superb Gavin Lang drive, took home the Australian Derby trophy, whilst the Tasmanian bred Villagem was a decisive winner of the $100,000 Vicbred Final at Moonee Valley.

Broadways Best Is The Best One of the main reasons that Village Jasper has hit the high spot this year is because of the super filly Broadways Best.

This filly, the fourth foal of the Muckalee Strike mare Broadway Gal, made a big statement at her first start in a race. That was twelve months ago in a heat of the Aust Breeders Crown at Bendigo when she ran the champion two year old filly Ananz to just a half head.

This season her record reads 12 starts for 6 wins and 6 placings taking her earnings to $202,000.

The first indication of what was in store in 2009 was an appearance in a heat of the Victorian Derby at Ballarat. There was no trouble for the filly in giving all

but one of the boys a beating.

The following week in the final she again delivered a beating to all the boys with the exception of the champion colt Captain Joy. So it was almost a foregone conclusion that Broadways Best would collect the Victorian Oaks and Vic Sires trophies – which she duly did.

However, it was the manner in which she destroyed these two classy fields that stamped Broadways Best as something very special and in the words of part owner Rick McLean “a dream come true”.

Rick, who was better known a few years back as a tough VFL footballer playing for either Carlton or Richmond, is a partner in Broadways Best with his two sons Shannon Broadways Best (by Village Jasper) – a dual Group 1 winner this season and Christian.

The trio bred Broadways Best, who is a half sister to in I remarked to Shannon that this filly felt like she another two smart pacers in Spirit Of Broadway (1:58.5) was something special.” Said Rick – hence the name and Broadway Play (1:57.3).

Broadways Best.

Rick, who also assists Shannon with the training “We’ve had a few little issues with her but honestly duties, had a good feeling about Broadways Best not feel you haven’t seen the best of her yet” remarked long after she was broken in.

Rick.

“We broke in Broadways Best ourselves. Not long And in another scary comment from Rick, he after being broken in I was driving her on the track explained that her half sister by Western Terror could with another of our older horses and after coming be even better.

The Record In His Sights The Artsplace stallion Art Major has taken Australia by storm with his first crop downunder

Renaisasance Man – a brilliant son of Art Major

The foals of 2006, which number 144, were sired when Art Major stood in NSW at Peppertree Farm.

To date (23rd July) from these foals he has sired 61 individual starters, 30 individual winners of $1,038,020. With nearly six weeks of the season to go, including the Breeders Crown Finals, Art Major is an odds-on certainty to break the previous Australian record for two year old earnings.

That record of $1,075,607 was set by the amazing Fake Left in the 2001/02 season. It is worth noting that this record was achieved from a foal crop that year of 328 – compared to Art Major’s 144 this season.

The standouts amongst Art Major’s 30 winners have been the brilliant NSW bred filly Lady Euthenia (1:55.3, $284,475 – 11 wins from 12 starts), Renaissance Man (1:55.4, $154,525 – 7 wins from 12 starts), For A Reason (1:58, $63,623), Lilac Stride (1:58.7, $95,923), Art Princess (1:59.9, $75,158) and Ashkalini (2:01.8, $32,387).

In North America his progeny continue to earn big dollars. Art Major is currently third on the two year old sires list, whilst his son Art Official has this season taken his earnings past $1,725 million.

The big son of Artsplace is currently in quarantine in New Jersey and can be viewed at the Alabar Open Day on Sunday 20th September.

Alabar News - August 2009 -

Page 7

BREED THE BEST TO THE BEST … TO GET A MASTERPIECE There would be very few breeders around the world who would want to debate the fact that Artsplace and Western Hanover have been the two champion pacing sires of the past fifteen years.

So if you owned a mare called Trulyawork Of Art, by Artsplace, why wouldn’t you breed her to Western Hanover. This is exactly what Kentuckiana farms planned in 2004, to produce a beautiful colt in March 2005 – now named Tiz A Masterpiece.

Starting from post seven, Tiz A Masterpiece found the front-end by the half in 53.6. With Andy Miller at the controls the big Western Hanover colt paced a 55.4 final half to comfortably take home the major pay cheque.

The tall black colt is now in quarantine awaiting export to Alabar’s Echuca farm in readiness for the 2009 stud season.

He will enter Australia with a 1:49 record taken as a three year old and prize money of $224,730.

Tiz A Masterpiece qualified as a late two year old at The Red Mile Tiz A Masterpiece – A magnificent individual but did not race at two. His racing career commenced in May last year as a three year old with his defining win coming Trulyawork Of Art is a daughter of one of the Stud Book gems, the Big Towner almost exactly twelve months ago – the $210,000 Oliver Wendell Holmes at The mare Town Sweetheart. In 1997 she won the O’Brien Award for Broodmare of the Meadowlands.

Year and with a record like this, she thoroughly deserved it:Starting from post seven, Tiz A Masterpiece found the front-end by the half in 10 individual winners, 2 in 1:50, 6 in 1:53 and total progeny earnings exceeding 53.6. With Andy Miller at the controls the big Western Hanover colt paced a 55.4 final $3 million. half to comfortably take home the major pay cheque.

These winners include:A month earlier at The Meadowlands Tiz A Masterpiece ran second in his Northern Luck (1:49.2, $907,974), VP Finance (1:51.8, $685,834), Bear Dance (1:52.2, elimination of the Meadowlands Pace before drawing the dreaded ten hole for the $509,111), Town Champion (1:48.4, $439,152), Sweet On Art (1:52.8, $217,714) Final – certainly no help when racing such giants as Somebeachsomewhere and Art The third dam Savilla Lobell was also a distinguished race and broodmare – 16 Official. Despite the draw, Tiz A Masterpiece ran on strongly from last at the threewins for $233,752 and 9 winners from 10 foals including 5 in 1:55. quarter pole to finish just a length off the third place horse – timed in 1:48.2.

So The Masterpiece will arrive at Alabar in early September. Make sure you catch Tiz A Masterpiece won five of his seventeen starts for the season and also him at the Open Day on Sunday 20th September. finished fourth in the $101,000 Burlington Stake (barrier 8), fourth in the $500,000 Hoosier Cup (barrier 10) and fourth in the $293,000 Deo Volente Stake (barrier 6 in a field of 7).

Tiz A Masterpiece, Foaled 21 March 2005

The Western Hanover – Artsplace Cross One of the main reasons for Alabar to be attracted to this grand looking horse is his impeccable bloodlines.

He possesses that same Western Hanover – Artsplace cross as one of our previous shuttle stallions Western Terror, who by the way has developed into a dominant sire in North America this season.

It is also the cross of the totally dominant three year old colt of this season, Well Said (1:48.4), who has now won two million dollar races in his first six starts.

In addition The Panderosa, a son of Western Hanover, has sired three outstanding colts from Artsplace mares – namely Leading X Ample (1:48.4), Metropolitan (1:50.2) and P Forty Seven (1:48.4).

The dam of Tiz A Masterpiece is Trulyawork Of Art, whose produce record is without blemish so far. Her first three foals have all taken sub 1:54 records and have won between them almost half a million dollars.

Oil Burner No Nukes Gidget Lobell Western Hanover Wendymae Hanover

Albatross Wendy Sue Hanover Abercrombie

Artsplace Miss Elvira Trulyawork Of Art Big Towner Town Sweetheart Savilla Lobell

Most Happy Fella Dottie Shadow Overtrick Gogo Playmate Meadow Skipper Voodoo Hanover Best Of All Wendy Hanover Silent Majority Bergdorf Albatross Ladalia Hanover Gene Abbe Tiny Wave Albatross Seducible

Page 8 - Alabar News - August 2009

ELSU

The industry is buzzing with expectation about the prospects of the Elsu rising three year olds. We talked to the trainers of five of them …

Anvil’s Best Ever could be anything. He was New

Zealand’s glamour early two year old and the subject of a massive offer before sickness set his season back – and nearly took his life. He jogged to a 1:58.3 victory at Christmas time and was still good enough to win the $150,000 Young Guns Final in March even though he was starting to struggle with his health. With what Anvil’s Best Ever then went through, he did exceptionally well to run an unlucky and strong finishing 5th in 1:54.2 in the Jewels. A healthy Anvil’s Best Ever is one of the most exciting prospects in harness racing.

NIGEL MCGRATH (trainer of Anvil’s Best Ever) …

With sixteen winners and a incredib Stormy Sirocco,

of any two year old racing in the 2008/09 season, this son of Elsu is the one that just had “Derby horse” written all over him. He was a top two year old – one of the very best in New Zealand – from five starts he recorded two wins (one of them in 1:58.4), one second, one third and a fourth (in 1:54.2 in the Jewels). More than any other of the top two year olds he had the scope to develop into an imposing older horse. Many experts are rating Stormy Sirocco the early favourite for the three year old staying features.

JEFF CROUTH (trainer of Stormy Sirocco) …

When did you start training Stormy Sirocco?

Jim Cole broke him in for me. He was a difficult, big individual as a yearling, and Jim did a great job with him, and said he’d make a two-year-old. I took him over for his first preparation.

At what stage did you realise how good he was?

Looking at him as a yearling I thought he was too big to make a two-year-old but I took him to a yearling parade and Maurice McKendry drove him for me. He said that he’d make a twoyear-old. He’s a natural pacer and been racing on pure ability – and only had five starts.

Did you receive any offers for Stormy Sirocco?

How did you select Anvil’s Best Ever at the sales?

He looked an athletic, racy individual, and you could see the In The Pocket from his dam in him.

When did you realise how good he was?

He was a natural from day one. I always wanted to target the Young Guns with him.

At what stage did you sell your share?

I sold my half-share to Ann Seaton before his first trial (which he won) in November, which was when he qualified, beating Kotare Mach.

Winning the Young Guns with Anvil’s Best Ever was a massive feat considering the issues?

At his first start he won the third heat of the Young Guns by eight lengths, and we brought him home and spelled him. When we brought him back into work he got crook – he was lethargic, just going through the motions really. He got fourth next start at Auckland, was just working average and wasn’t right for the Young Guns Final but he did still win it.

We brought him straight home, which in hindsight was the wrong thing to do. Bill Bishop (vet) said he was really ill, and warned me his blood was that bad he could die. He was just a shadow of his former self really, his coat looked terrible. So we spelled him and missed the Sires Stakes, and were playing catch up for the rest of the season.

What did you think of this Jewels run?

I was really happy with his Jewels run, he was last on the home turn, and finished fifth – they ran a 56.5 half and 27 quarter off the front. With what he’d been through we couldn’t over tax him to get him there. That was only his fifth start.

Is Anvil’s Best Ever back in work and how does he look?

He had four weeks spell after the Jewels, and is back jogging in the hopples. The winter coat has gone that he had back at Young Guns Final time and he looks fabulous – just like he did back in December.

What sort of temperament does he have for a colt?

He’s a quiet colt around home, but can be a bit strong minded at times – as you’d expect for a colt. He’s really filled out now.

What is your programme for him this season?

I’d like to have him ready for the Sires Stakes heat at Forbury in September. I think the Derbies later in the season will really be his forte. Anthony (Butt, who drives him) and I both think the main races with a bit more distance will really suit him.

Did you buy any Elsu’s at the sales this year?

Yes I bought an Elsu colt out of Rare Kiwi, who was called Great Kiwi Bloke. Graham Beirne (owner) has renamed him Anvil’s A Rare Kiwi. He’s a lovely pacer and if good enough he’ll go to the Young Guns at Alexandra Park as well.

Anvil’s Best Ever (by Elsu)

Yes owner Charlie Hadley turned down some big offers for him. He wants a good horse as much as everyone else.

Which of his runs impressed you the most?

He won his first two starts, but I thought his win in the Sires Stakes heat was very good.

He also started against the one win horses, was wide for a major part of the journey and ran second. He raced well in the Sires Stakes final when he hadn’t really settled in to the South Island that well.

Do you have a programme in mind for him?

At this stage we are considering bypassing the Sires Stakes, only due to the fact it is so early in the season. We gelded him when we got back from the Jewels because he’s so big and colty and hard to keep weight on, even though he’s a great eater.

We will bring him back into work at the beginning of August, and being a big staying type, the Derbies are more his type of racing.

What are your expectations for the future with him?

He’s a big staying type that you would only expect to get better and better. He’s as tough as old boots.

Alabar News - August 2009 -

Page 9

d an amazing 72 qualifiers to date, Elsu is off to an dible start to his siring career.

Hot Ripple created an excellent

impression in his four starts in Southland. Trained at Wyndham by Greg Hunter, he had one win and two seconds – every time finishing on strongly in the manner of a horse with a good future.

GREG HUNTER (trainer of Hot Ripple) …

Did you breed Hot Ripple?

Yes, I sent my Miles McCool mare Cool Ripple to him. She won five races for me and went 1.57.6. I’d always had a high opinion of Elsu and thought they may be a good cross.

What did you think of him when you broke him in?

He had no vices, was well gaited and a lovely wee attitude.

He’s about 14.3’ hands and quite long barrelled – which I like.

What’s Hot Ripple’s racing style?

He came from well back when he won at Invercargill, and was finishing over the top of them in his second placings at Gore and Winton.

What are his best attributes?

Awohali has burst onto the scene as a

late season star for Elsu. Unbeaten after two emphatic victories at Cambridge, Awohali – possibly more than any other Elsu seen to date – is very much in the mould of his famous father. Bred and sold as a weanling by Alabar NZ studmaster Wayne McNamara, Awohali is trained and driven by the same Geoff Small / David Butcher combination as Elsu.

GEOFF SMALL (Trainer of Awohali) …

Awohali has been very impressive in his two starts to date. Tell us a bit about him?

I’ve always liked him but he’s just taken that little bit of time. This last preparation he’s really turned a corner. He’s got a lot of the old horse (Elsu) in him. He looks like him and goes very much like him. He also is a lot like him in that he can just be cruising along and then he just finds another gear when he needs to. I’m not saying he’ll be as good as Elsu but he is a very smart horse.

Where to from here?

He’ll keep racing through now. He’s definitely well worth having a crack at the Sires Stakes with, but I’m sure – whatever he does there – he’ll only get better as he gets older.

Stormy Sirocco (by Elsu)

He’s got a really smart turn of foot, and really he raced on just that one preparation so he has a great attitude.

Where is he at in his current preparation?

He got a bit crook after he last raced at Gore in April so I turned him out. He had a couple of months spell and has had two weeks back jogging.

What will be his main aim for the season?

Perhaps the Alabar Supremacy heats and final. I think he will turn into a nice stayer.

Have you bred any other mares to Elsu?

Yes, I sent the dam of Cool Ripple – Rippling Speed – to him and have a rising yearling colt which I quite like – he too has a lovely temperament.

Eric

is a horse that Tim Butt has always held a good opinion of. He too is an exciting prospect for the early three year old racing.

TIM BUTT (trainer of Eric) …

Early last season Eric (Elsu – What’s The Score) was the pick of your two year olds. Why didn’t he race at two?

I could have raced him at two but decided to look after him and give him a bit more time. Hopefully he’ll be a better three year old because of it. He qualified at Ashburton in 2.01.4 on 13th April, and ran a half in 55.9 that day. Anthony (who drove him) said he felt really good, but not quite as good in a trial two weeks later so we decided to turn him out.

What do you like about him?

He’s a nice pacer but did have a bit of action as a two year old. After his two-month spell he’s really filled out and pacing smoother. He’s probably more tough than speedy.

What are you aiming him for?

I’m aiming him for the Sires Stakes, and hope to have him at the trials in late August.

CROSSES At This Early Stage, What Broodmare Sires Is Elsu Crossing Best With With 72 qualifiers – and still rapidly counting – from his impressive first crop of foals, Elsu has laid the foundation for what looks like being a hugely successful siring career.

As the racing season for his first crop of two year olds draws to a close, it is timely to have a look at what bloodlines Elsu is crossing with.

Of Elsu’s 72 qualifiers to date, 24 have been out of mares by Most Happy Fella line stallions. This comes as no great surprise as Elsu’s sire Falcon Seelster has crossed exceptionally well with Most Happy Fella line mares.

Elsu himself is bred on the Falcon Seelster / Most Happy Fella cross and him breeding to Most Happy Fella line mares appears to reinforce this outstanding cross.

Cam Fella line mares (with 9 credits) and Smooth Fella line mares (with 8 credits) are the two best represented sub-branches of the Most Happy Fella line. Elslick (1:57.7), out of a mare by Troublemaker, is the best performer for the Elsu / Most Happy Fella cross to date.

The next most potent cross, with 18 qualifiers, has been with mares by Albatross line stallions.

Soky’s Atom and Holmes Hanover, with five credits each, are the best represented Albatross line broodmare sires.

Soky’s Atom is also the sire of the dam of Elsu’s best performer out of an Albatross line mare – the highly talented Stormy Sirocco (1:58.4). Elsu’s winningest performer, the very smart South Australian filly Sinopoli (1:59.9, 4 wins to date), is out of a mare by the Albatross stallion Surmo Hanover.

The next best represented broodmare sireline is Direct Scooter with 13.

The Direct Scooter son In The Pocket, with eight credits, tops all other broodmare sires in crossing with Elsu. In The Pocket also has the honour of being the sire of the dam of Elsu’s best performer to date – the brilliant Anvil’s Best Ever (1:58.3, $101,656).

Elsu’s fastest performer – Asbo (1:57.4) – is out of an OK Bye mare so he too attests to the value of the Elsu / Direct Scooter cross.

Stallions with multiple credits as broodmare sires of Elsu’s qualifiers to date are: In The Pocket (8), Holmes Hanover (5), Soky’s Atom (5), Cameleon (3), My Handsome Fella (3), Smooth Fella (3), Albert Albert (2), Armbro Operative (2), Beach Towel (2), Christian Cullen (2), Nero’s BB (2), OK Bye (2), Presidential Ball (2), Torado Hanover (2) and Vance Hanover (2).

Page 10 - Alabar News - August 2009

GREAT SUCCESS 1:51.4

Ultra Modern Breeding And The Fastest Trotter Ever Imported

PHILIP

IGGO

is a well respected New Zealand trotting identity. He imported and stood the highly influential trotting sire Gee Whiz II and imported and still stands the successful trotting sire Britewell. Training on a small scale, he is seldom without a nice trotter in his stable. We were interested to hear his thoughts, particularly on breeding trotters.

You didn’t take any horses to the races for five years (1999-2004 seasons)?

When we sold Seranada Lodge in Loburn and moved and set up Ippica Park at Kaiapoi, Gee Whiz (our resident stallion) died who was really the cornerstone of our business. So that was really the catalyst for scaling down and focusing on other business interests. I now also have a furniture making business in Kaiapoi with a retail outlet there as well. We also have a website where we sell to retail outlets.

Do you also still stand the trotting stallion Britewell?

Great Success – Enjoying life in New Zealand

Even though he arrived late, Great Success was extremely well received in his debut season in 2008 serving over 100 mares.

With a 1:51.4 mark taken in a time trial as a three year old, Great Success is the fastest trotter ever to come to, or be available in, the Southern Hemisphere.

His time trial, in which he trotted his first half in 56.4 seconds and came his last half in 55 seconds flat, made Great Success the fifth fastest three year old trotting colt of all time.

Great Success competed with distinction against the best in the business. The highlight of his race career came as a three year old in winning the Elimination and Final of the $220,000 Matron Stakes at Dover Downs.

A flawless trotter, Great Success never made a break in his career. He trotted 12 miles in sub 1:55, 20 miles in sub 1:56 and 30 of his 32 starts in 1:58.6 or better. Only once did he trot a mile slower than 2:00 – and that was a mile in 2:00.2 when running second as an early two year old.

He is beautifully bred being by the Hambletonian winner Self Possessed – a stallion whose brilliant siring career was nipped in the bud by infertility.

From only 336 foals, Self Possessed is the sire of the winners of over $24 million with 55 $100,000 winners, 145 in 2:00 and 43 in 1:55. His best winners include the $1.5 million winning Cantab Hall and Snow White (1:52.8, $1,432,056), an ill-fated filly, widely regarded as the greatest two year old trotting filly ever.

Self Possessed’s ultimate legacy may well be as a sire of sires – his son Cantab Hall is North America’s latest siring sensation. Great Success is Self Possessed’s second fastest performer and his third richest colt son.

Self Possessed, Cantab Hall and Great Success are all very similar in the way they trot and the way they carry themselves.

Bred 3x3 to the great Valley Victory, Great Success presents a wonderful opportunity for breeders looking to get a healthy injection of the blood that has changed the trotting breed in North America.

Great Success also comes from a terrific dam’s family. His immediate family has already produced the outstanding sires ABC Freight, Prakas and Lindy’s Pride.

All in all, this really is a trotting stallion with all the bases covered.

Britewell is part of the family. He served four mares last season, including Jenola Bay, the dam of Uncle Petrika (a gelding

by Britewell who won the Interdominion Grand Final). A great horse to have about, Britewell is invaluable to me in managing my mares. His winners to starters ratio is actually very good. He is also the sire of The Fat Controller, the winner of five races for me this season.

Who would you rate as your best horse you have trained?

The Fat Controller has reached open class and I think will be very competitive at that level. Early on he took no part in a lot of races after breaking early, and mobiles helped get his confidence. Dexter Dunn (who drives him) has obviously helped him too. I won nine races with Little Band Of Gold, but The Fat Controller is a better horse. This is my best season on money won but not number of wins.

What are your thoughts for the future of trotters in New Zealand?

Without question the stallions being made available to New Zealand breeders have improved dramatically over the last two or three years. I am unsure however whether our broodmare base is strong enough to take advantage of these sires and subsequently produce horses of sufficient class to race internationally. With this in mind I feel the stud fees are unbalanced to our racing opportunities within Australasia where the vast majority will pursue their racing careers.

How do you select stallions for your mares?

I mainly select the stallions based on their siring performance or my perceived anticipation of their siring potential. I am influenced by the siring line and whether that line has been or is likely to be successful in New Zealand. Maternal line is a lesser consideration as I have observed so many changing family successes that I find it difficult to remain confident that a current family or mare is going to continue with present performance.

How many mares do you breed from each year?

I breed from six mares each year, and this year may have three more (Sapient, Nandy Noot, and She Sells Sea Shells) join the broodmare band.

You sent four mares (Annie Robinson, Zesty, Clickety Clack, Faint Hearted) to Great Success in his first year. What attracted you to him?

I really liked him when I saw him at Alabar – he is an upstanding, bold and good coloured stallion. I was impressed with his sheer speed and he was very appropriately priced. His siring line Self Possessed was also fresh blood and appealed to me.

Alabar News - August 2009 -

Page 11

US Bred – European Champion “Best of both worlds” – the saying might just have been written to describe our new trotting stallion, Luxury As.

Luxury As was a sensation in the white hot competition of European trotting winning Group 1 races at two, three and four.

He was Sweden’s Two and Three Year Old Trotter of the Year.

Unbeaten at two, Luxury As went on to trot 1:55.3f as a three year old, smashing the great Viking Kronos’ European record for a fiveeighths track.

Luxury As retired to stud with a record of 52 starts for 25 wins, 4 seconds and three thirds. He won Breeders Crowns at both two and three plus the eliminations and finals of three other Group 1 events.

Luxury As is a wonderful individual standing 16’ and, in the words of his European advertising had “awesome gait and precocious high speed”.

What sets Luxury As apart from many other European champions is that he is 100% US bred.

He is by the leading sire Pine Chip – the sire also of Dream Vacation and a son of Arndon as is New Zealand’s own champion sire Sundon.

Luxury As – Sweden’s Two and Three Year Old Trotter of the Year

On 26 July, Luxury As’ first crop son, Ted Blagul, won his elimination of the Group 1 Swedish Three Year Old Breeder’s Crown

His dam Nobella Lobell is the dam of 5 in 1:57.2, seven in 1:59 and has been elected as an “Elite Mare” in Sweden. Nobella Lobell is by ABC Freight – the grandsire of Andover Hall, Angus Hall and Conway Hall.

From his first season at stud in Sweden, Luxury As was represented by two year olds in 2008. With this first crop, Luxury As was the leading debutant sire in Sweden (on winners/qualifiers to foals) – ahead of international stars such as Credit Winner, Lindy Lane, Muscles Yankee and Supergill.

On the back of this success, Luxury As now stands in Italy at €8,000 – approximately NZ$17,000. That makes his Southern Hemisphere fee of NZ$5,000 (plus GST) in New Zealand and A$5,000 (incl GST) in Australia an outstanding opportunity indeed. Luxury As is available by frozen semen.

Arnie Almahurst Arndon Roydon Gal Pine Chip Speedy Somolli Pine Speed Piney Hanover Noble Victory ABC Freight A C’s Princess Nobella Lobell Arnie Almahurst Noble Love Song Regular Filter

Luxury As – An outstanding individual

Speedy Scot Ambitious Blaze Super Bowl Blythesome Speedy Crown Somolli Harlan Dean Posey Hanover Victory Song Emily’s Pride A C’s Viking Dear Rodney Speedy Scot Ambitious Blaze Filter Miss Duchess Speed

Luxury As – A 100% US bred European champion

Page 12 - Alabar News - August 2009

Hercules The Hero

Artesian is making an excellent impression with his first crop in Australia …

Those of us who studied Greek History in our school days will know that Hercules was the greatest hero in Greek mythology, known for his strength and determination.

Now thousands of years later, there is a young colt named David Hercules showing plenty of strength and determination in beating his opposition around the picturesque Gloucester Park circuit in W.A. This Hercules (David Hercules) is a son of the first season sire Artesian and has already notched up wins in two Group Races – the $58,000 Aussco Classic and the $45,000 Champagne Stakes to take his debut year’s earnings to $101,000 (to 20 July 2009).

David Hercules is the second foal of the Golden Greek mare Like A Dame, she a half sister to Fake Embrace (1.53.4 $130,000) and Go By Jet (1.58.3 $91,000).

The grand dam Hold Tight is a half sister to former outstanding Victorian youngster Albuquerque (1.58.6 $322,630). W.A. based breeder Steve Johnson who also bred the first Grinfromeartoear two year old winner this season, was responsible for the breeding and rearing of David Hercules, whilst his wife Jeneen accepted the credit for the naming of the horse.

So how did an Artesian colt from a mare called Like A Dame finish with a moniker such as David Hercules was the question posed to Jeneen recently.

“Each year when the foals are born we give them paddock names starting with the same letter. In 2006 it was the turn for the letter D, and as Steve’s sister is married to a guy named David Hercules Botha, this colt was nicknamed David Hercules,” explained Artesian - with his impressive first crop has made a huge leap towards a successful siring career Jeneen.

Whenever David came to visit, the expat South African, who knew nothing about The Robert Cameron trained gelding only had two starts prior to being sidelined horses was shown the weanling named after him. by a freak accident. He won first up at Invercargill in 2:00.6 and then ran an unlucky “By yearling sale time David had become quite attached to the colt,” said Steve. second in the time-honoured Sapling Stakes won in 1:56.4. He looked like being a “We tried to convince him not to dabble in horse ownership, but after a bid of $15,000 serious contender in the classics. We’re sure he’ll be there in his sophomore year.

David was the owner of his namesake, which he now shares with Jeneen,” added Steve.

We spoke to his trainer, the former World Champion reinsman, Perhaps there is a clue here for most horse breeders – name your weanling after a ROBERT CAMERON … friend or relation and then hope he or she wants a share in it.

He was entered for the 2008 Ready To Run sale. Why was he withdrawn?

David Hercules was broken in and trained by Byford based Dave Thompson, who He got kicked about three days before the video day, so all he could do on the day was jog described him as, “a dream to train from day one – a colt with perfect manners, lots around. There wasn’t much point taking him to the sale after that as there wasn’t a lot of of brains and a great turn of speed.” interest, so Murray Heaps (owner) and I decided to withdraw him. He’s a very nice horse – To date (20th July 2009) Artesian has sired seven individual winners from his first we wouldn’t have sold him for under $75,000 anyway. crop of 72 foals in Australia including the very smart Jeremy Quinlan trained Jorg What did you think of him as a young horse?

Is Best.

Salem was always a nice pacer who covered the ground easy. While being close to 17 hands, Jorg Is Best won his first start impressively on 27th March and then followed he has always been in proportion and raced in a 59 inch hopple. up with wins in heats of the APG at Ballarat (2.01) and Albion Park (1.55.6) before Why did Salem not race again as a two year old after his second in the Sapling finishing a luckless fifth in the $300,000 Final. A third placing followed in the $100,000 Stakes at Ashburton in February?

Kevin Seymour Final to advance his earnings to $45,925 in just 7 starts to date.

Another Artesian youngster to impress is the filly Bella Jam Jam. After a strong When I was bringing him home from the beach in the trailer float one day a truck came debut in December 2008 when she ran a close second in 1.58.8, Bella Jam Jam won up behind me and put on his exhaust brakes. Salem took fright and got the middle bar of the her heat of the Bathurst Gold Tiara in easy fashion. On Final night she beat everyone float round his legs. He broke a splint bone and had to have it removed, so he had a five month in the field except the exceptional Art Major miss Lady Euthenia. spell to recover.

Artesian’s full brother Maltese Artist recently had to be euthanized in Canada Has he taken any ill-effect from that trip other than the splint bone? following a severe fracture to a front leg in an elimination of the Molson Pace. He No he has a great attitude and travelling on the trailer float still doesn’t worry him. finished his career with over $2.2 million in earnings.

Which of Salem’s race day starts were you most impressed with?

… And Also in New Zealand

I thought his run in the Sapling Stakes was great, he came from well back in a 56.8 last half and 27.8 quarter. Mark Jones, who drove him, thought he was a bit unlucky not to win it. He appears to be able to carry speed a long way.

Largely through the deeds of an imposing youngster by the name of Salem, Artesian is also making quite an impression in New Zealand.

He’s been jogging for two weeks and looks well. I’ll just see how he comes up, I might look at the Sires Stakes with him.

What is he up to at the moment?

Alabar News - August 2009 -

Absolutely The Perfect Horse Tom Harmer knows a thing or two about training champion standardbreds. He was, after all, the trainer of world champions Falcon Seelster and Pacific and millionaire Incredible Finale.

Tom Harmer also trained another world champion by the name of Jereme’s Jet. Under his care Jereme’s Jet was the USA Two Year Old of the Year, paced in a world record 1:47 and amassed $1.6 million in stakes.

Tom and Jereme have a special bond. It’s well worth revisiting his thoughts on Jereme’s Jet, his favourite horse of all the great horses he has trained …

“He’s absolutely the perfect horse. That’s the best way I can describe him.

“You could race him any way you wanted. You could leave out with anything or duck in, whatever you wanted.

“He was like driving a sports car. You just had to push the pedal and you were gone. He was just unbelievable.

“He wore no boots, no poles, no nothing. When you went to race you just took the bridle and hopples and that was it.

“He’s without the doubt the greatest I’ve ever had. In fact I think he’s one of the best two or three horses ever.

“He had speed like you wouldn’t believe. In my opinion he’s the fastest horse that ever lived.

“He’s the best looking stallion you’ll see. You could take the best parts of three or four other stallions and still not get one as good looking as Jereme.

“After his first start as a 2yo (which he won in 1:53.2) I trained him an eighth in 12.2 in a jog cart – and that was at the end of a mile in 2:00. That’s thoroughbred speed.

“He’s got to be the most impressive two year old I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve seen Nihilator, I’ve seen them all. I can’t say enough about him.

“He’s a great horse, as good as there’s ever been. We had a lot of great days but we also had a lot of days where he just had so much bad luck.

“I trained Falcon Seelster and he went 1:51 on a half twenty years ago – that’s probably 1:46 today. He did it around a hub rail, he had an old bike, old wheels, the old harness … there was so much he didn’t have but he still did it. Falcon was a really top horse, a tough horse, a great horse to me. I owned him and my life was so much nicer after what Falcon did for me. It’s no disrespect to Falcon, I just think Jereme was better than he was.

“No matter what I say about this horse it won’t really sink in to people just how good he really was. You had to sit behind him to know. He was just unbelievable, the perfect horse.”

Jereme’s Jet – pictured at Alabar NZ

Jereme’s Jet – time trialling in 1:47

Jereme’s Jet – a wonderful individual

Page 13

Page 14 - Alabar News - August 2009

PONDER

NOT JUST HANDSOME …

Everyone who came to the Alabar Australia Open Day on 21st September last year was greatly impressed with the “Hollywood” good looks of the then seven year old stallion Ponder.

There should be close to 100 of his offspring foaled in Australia this year and if they look anything like Ponder, there will be a lot of happy broodmare owners about.

Of course he wasn’t purchased for just his good looks, but principally for a race record that read 56 starts, 17 wins, 25 placings and $1.686 million in prize money.

In fact his trainer, the Hall Of Famer Bob McIntosh, described him not as a “pretty boy” but as the toughest horse he had trained and akin to a heavyweight boxer who took the punches and kept coming back for more.

That toughness and determination was there for all to admire in a twelve week span from 8th July to 21st September 2006 in the following nine races: Date Track Race Position Personal Time 8 July Meadowlands Div Haughton Mem 1st 1:48.4 15 July Meadowlands Final Haughton Mem 2nd 1:48.4 22 July Meadowlands Elim Breeders Crown 2nd 1:48.4 29 July Meadowlands Final Breeders Crown 4th 1:48.2 5 Aug Meadowlands US Pacing Ch’ship 1st 1:48.2 19 Aug Balmoral Elim Am-National 2nd 1:48.4 16 Aug Balmoral Final Am-National 4th 1:48.8 10 Sept Rideau Carlton (5/8) Des Smith Classic 2nd 1:49.8 21 Sept Delaware (1/2) Winbak Pace 1st 1:49 That last race mentioned was on Little Brown Jug day in Ohio and is a mustsee race on the Alabar DVD. Ponder started from the second tier which makes this World Record performance on the tight Delaware circuit even more remarkable.

Then again, Bob McIntosh described Ponder, “as a horse who could pace the turns as quick as the straights” – says something about his gait doesn’t it!

Ponder’s pedigree, which always was strong, has been enhanced even further this season by the deeds of his close relation Shark Gesture.

Ponder – A world champion with film star looks to match

This now six year old, who spent a season at stud downunder in 2007, is from a Western Hanover half sister to Ponder.

Shark Gesture this season has cleaned up in the two major free for all races run in North America to date (21 July).

Victory was his in the $250,000 Gaduate Final in 1:49, whilst on 11th July he defeated a hot field including Mister Big in the $688,000 Haughton Memorial Final – this time in a slick 1:48.4.

As we have said previously this stallion is the real deal… there is no need to Ponder.

Sutter Hanover

So Many Great Options For Breeders Sutter Hanover was straight off the racetrack when he arrived at Alabar last season. Like his sire Dragon Again, Sutter Hanover is a beautiful, correct stallion.

Twelve months on, he has furnished into an even more impressive individual. We can’t wait to see his first foals.

Mating Suggestions

for Sutter Hanover. My Little Dragon, the fastest racemare ever and the winner of $2.3 million is by Dragon Again out of a Jate Lobell mare. The $579,000 winner Up Front Dragonfly is by Dragon Again out of a Die Laughing mare.

Western Hanover line mares This is obviously the No Nukes line again and has also been highly successful for Dragon Again. Ten $100,000 winners, including the $1 million winning racemare, Tidewaterdragonfly, have been bred on the Dragon Again/Western Hanover mare cross. Mares by sons of Western Hanover should cross well with Sutter Hanover. This is especially so for daughters of Badlands Hanover (there is a mirrored No Nukes/ Tyler B genetic linkage between Sutter and Badlands).

One of the reasons we targeted Sutter Hanover as a stallion prospect is that, as a son of Dragon Again (the first to come downunder) with an intriguing dams family, he presents so many exciting mating prospects for Southern Hemisphere breeders.

Our thoughts on mating suggestions for Sutter Hanover, Dragon Again’s greatest son, include Abercrombie/Artsplace line mares Beach Towel line mares Sutter Hanover – Has furnished into an outstanding individual Dragon Again has sired ten $100,000 The Dragon Again/Beach Towel cross has winners from the Artsplace mares he has progeny from. Foiled Again, an $800,000 earner and one of 2009’s top free for allers, been freakish – four $100,000 winners from only seven foals bred on this cross to date. The cross with Sutter Hanover will also present an attractive double up of the is by Dragon Again out of an Artsplace mare. mare La Pomme Souffle. This double up will also be presented by breeding mares No Nukes/Jate Lobell line mares with Plat Du Jour in the pedigree to Sutter Hanover. Mares by the Beach Towel son With 19 $100,000 winners resulting from the 68 foals bred on the Dragon Again/ Sands A Flyin should also cross particularly well.

No Nukes mare cross, this is obviously a highly successful mating. Sutter Hanover Mares carrying The Old Maid blood himself is bred on this cross. The reinforcing of the cross a stallion is bred on himself is a proven, successful breeding option. What’s more the doubling up of No Nukes is The doubling up of The Old Maid is a tried and true recipe for success. Mares becoming more and more prevalent in top horses in North America. Village Jasper, carrying this blood (eg mares with Bachelor Hanover, Noodlum etc in the pedigree) Safely Kept, Caprock, Die Laughing and Live Or Die mares should be excellent crosses should cross well with Sutter Hanover, a direct descendant of The Old Maid.

Alabar News - August 2009 -

Page 15

Safely Kept At GVEH One of Alabar’s favourite sons, Safely Kept has now turned 20 years of age.

Midway through last season many broodmare owners were asked to swap their bookings away from Safely, as we feared his breeding career may be over. He was still producing good quantities of semen, but the pregnancy results were disappointing.

When the season was over Dr. Angus McKinnon, from the world renowned Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, asked to take Safely Kept for a month to test a new technique in processing chilled semen. The results were astonishingly good in comparison to those achieved in October and November.

So in 2009, Safely Kept is back on the Stallion Roster under the following conditions: • His Service Fee is $5000 (incl GST) with a choice of either Frozen or Chilled Semen.

• If you wish to breed with Chilled Semen the mare must be based at Alabar, Echuca or GVEH at Shepparton. The new process does not allow shipping semen around Australia.

• Frozen Semen (frozen around 2000-01) will be available at selected centres on the East Coast.

They are:

Success Stud, Young (John and Jackie Gibson) 02 6384 4230 Qld. Equivet (Dr. Robyn Woodward) 07 4691 0322 Safely Kept will be moved over to GVEH in late September, where he will be based for the Breeding Season.

Victoria Safely Kept has been an icon in the breeding ranks Rosehill Stud (Dr. Anne Jacobson) 03 5334 5446 in Australia for the past ten years or so and he is now or 0427 476 202 having a big impact as a Broodmare Sire. His credits G.V.E.H. (Dr. Simon Robinson) 03 5829 9566 recently include the star filly from last season Ananz, the

two outstanding juvenile pacers this season Renaissance

NSW Man and Rocknrolla, the extra smart WA three year Albion Park Rail Vets (Dr. Andrew Daniels) old Truckers Ruffnut and of course the champion filly 02 4256 5359 Miss Hazel.

The Pacing Warrior Returns Home D M Dilinger, who remains the richest entire son of the great sire Camluck, has been retired and returned to his Canadian owner Mike Watson in south western Ontario.

The now fifteen year old Dilinger raced on 115 occasions for the Watsons winning 31 races and $1,226 million in prize money. He proved an inspiration to the Watson family during the late 1990’s as both Mike and his wife Jeanette were battling cancer at the time, whilst their daughter Suzanne had been badly injured in a work related accident.

Dilinger developed a reputation in Canada for siring champion fillies such as Moving Pictures (1:49.6, $1.3 million) and Lady Dillinger (1:52, $1.078 million).

Whilst also siring several smart pacers of the fairer sex in Australia, his male offspring, although sometimes difficult, were both tough and fast.

Pacers such as Be Diligent (1:55.7, $219,280), The Gunstar (1:58.1, $126,675), Whipair (1:57.5, $112,500), Fifty Gorillas (1:54.8, $78,500), Blissful Snag (1:58.9, $70,780), Danger Mouse (1:56.9, $78,175) and Mister Grizzly (1:56.6, $93,935) have all given their connections plenty to celebrate about.

In the current season D M Dilinger has sired 86 individual winners in Australia (to 15 July). His first progeny to grace the racetracks of Australia and New Zealand did so in the 2004/05 season. He has now sired 180 individual winners throughout the Southern Hemisphere who have won in excess of $4.926 million.

All of us at Alabar wish D M Dilinger the best of retirements back in the country of his birth.

Soon to be announced. World Champion for Alabar in 2010

PERFORMANCE • PEDIGREE • PROMISE Armbro Operative* Artesian Artiscape Art Major Earl Elsu Gotta Go Cullect Great Success Grinfromeartoear Jereme’s Jet Luxury As (frozen semen) Ponder* Presidential Ball Real Desire Safely Kept* Sutter Hanover Tiz A Masterpiece* Village Jasper* * - Available in Australia Only

SEMEN AVAILABLE AT APPROVED LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT AUSTRALASIA

Australia:

Alabar Bloodstock P O Box 129, Tongala Victoria, 3621, Australia Phone: 0061 3 5859 2201 Fax: 0061 3 5859 2206 Email: alabar@alabar.com.au

New Zealand:

Alabar (NZ) Ltd 480 Seagrove Road R D 4 Pukekohe, 2679, New Zealand Phone: 0011 64 9 232 1800 Fax: 0011 64 9 232 1799 Email: alabar@alabar.co.nz

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