ALABAR NEWS AUGUST 2013
Auckland Reactor in pictures
+ Inside
Betterthancheddar Bettor’s Delight’s Richest and Fastest Son at Stud
MaJESTIC SON Back in the Southern Hemisphere and dominating
SMILING SHaRD “...the most natural two-year-old I’ve driven.” Debut Stallions making their mark • Resurgence of Grinfromeartoear • Art Major & Mach Three do what they do best • Facebook/Twitter - Keeping You informed
the rise and rise of
shadow play
Welcome Welcome to the Alabar class of 2013. You will see in this edition of the Alabar News an introduction to our three new stallions - Auckland Reactor, Betterthancheddar and Smiling Shard. They are all champions in their own right and we’re proud to be standing them. We are thrilled to see how well our stallions with their first crops now racing in North America are going. Art Official, Mister Big and Shadow Play (the leading first season sire of two-year-olds in North America as I write this) are all off to wonderful starts in their siring careers. Our industry is ready for another new sire to break through into the elite level – it may well be one, or more, of these guys. We also welcome back Majestic Son – as the leading sire of two-year-old trotters in both Australia and New Zealand, he just had to come back down under. We are honoured that it’s to us. These young stallions complement our other sires including our flagships - Art Major, Courage Under Fire, Grinfromeartoear and Mach Three – to enable us to offer you a truly world class line up. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. Best regards Alan Galloway
2013 SERVICE FEES
Aust Fee (AU$) (incl GST) Pay On Pos Test Artiscape (frozen) 3,300 Art Major 10,450 Art Official 3,850 Auckland Reactor 3,000 Betterthancheddar 4,950 Big Jim 4,950 Courage Under Fire 7,700 Elsu 2,200 Federal Flex (frozen) Not Available in AUS Gotta Go Cullect 2,200 Great Success 2,200 Grinfromeartoear 4,000 Mach Three 12,000 Majestic Son 5,000 Major In Art 3,300 Mister Big 3,850 Safari 1,650 Shadow Play 4,400 Smiling Shard 2,200
• • • •
NZ Fee (NZ$) (plus GST) Pay On Pos Test Not Available in NZ 9,500 3,500 3,000 4,500 4,500 7,000 2,200 4,000 2,200 2,200 4,000 11,000 5,000 Not Available in NZ 3,500 Not Available in NZ 4,000 2,000
Early Bird discounted payment option available on all stallions. Multiple mare discounts apply on all service fees. Pay On Live Foal available on some stallions (loading applies). Semen available at approved locations throughout Australasia.
CONTACTS Alabar Australia (Phone Numbers +61) Sally Burgess & Liz Birnie (Office) Fax Alan Galloway (Studmaster) John Coffey (Marketing Manager) Tom Galloway (Farm Manager)
Email Sally Burgess Liz Birnie Alan Galloway John Coffey Brett Coffey (Marketing and Pedigrees)
03 5859 2201 (8am - 4 pm) 03 5859 2206 0418 543 235 03 5859 2100, 0418 500 211 0408 505 416 sally@alabar.com.au liz@alabar.com.au alan@alabar.com.au patricianpark@bigpond.com brett@alabar.com.au
Alabar (NZ) Ltd (Phone Numbers +64) Hayley McNamara (Office) 09 232 1800 Fax 09 232 1799 Graeme Henley (General Manager) 09 232 1800, 0274 870 901 Wayne McNamara (Studmaster) 09 232 1800 Ivan Behrnes (South Island Rep) 03 615 6332 Email General Enquiries alabar@alabar.co.nz Graeme Henley graeme@alabar.co.nz Hayley McNamara hayley@alabar.co.nz Ivan Behrnes ivanbehrnes@yahoo.co.nz
facebook.com/AlabarFarms
@AlabarFarms
EARLY BIRD PAYMENT OPTION 20% Discount For Up-Front Payment Over the last two seasons we have offered breeders the opportunity to pay their service fees up front in return for the maximum 20% discount. This scheme has been very well received by breeders so we are offering it again this season – across all our stallions. We also like this scheme as it helps our cash flow at a time when usually all the money is going out and nothing is coming in. So here’s the deal ... We’ll give a 20% discount on the service fee of any of our stallions on the basis that the service fee is paid up-front no later than 30 September 2013. This discount is not additional to any multiple mare discounts. So, if you’ve always wanted the 20% discount enjoyed by the big players, here’s your opportunity. All you have to do is pay us by 30 September 2013. At the end of the season, should your mare not have obtained a final positive test, you will have the choice of having the paid service fee refunded in full or leaving it with us to “lock in” the discounted price for the following season. The usual live foal guarantee also applies.
Alabar News 2013 |
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SMILING SHard BRAVEHEART Cran Dalgety on Smiling Shard
Leading trainer Cran Dalgety had this to say about one of his all-time favourites.
You paid $41,000 for Smiling Shard as a yearling. What attracted you to him? “He had a real presence about him at the yearling sales. He just looked like he was ready for action. We were hoping to get a precocious two-year-old – we certainly got that but we also got a whole lot more.” You obviously hold Smiling Shard in very high regard. What made him so special to you? “Away from his record his greatest attribute was his kindness of attitude, not only to train but to travel. You felt like you could bring him into the house and sit him in your chair – he was such a gentleman and an intelligent horse.” “He was so kind in the stable but so aggressive on the track. “ New Zealand’s richest ever two-year-old is to commence stud duties at Alabar Bloodstock, Echuca this season. Smiling Shard is a young horse with a tremendous amount going for him as a potential sire. With $616,068 in earnings as a two-year-old (including his victory in the Aust 2yo Breeders Crown) he remains New Zealand’s richest ever two-year-old. His time of 1:53.7 taken when winning the Harness Jewels 2yo Emerald was not only the fastest time ever recorded by two-year-old in New Zealand, it was the fastest time ever set by a male pacer of any age in New Zealand! His outstanding freshman year saw him voted the NZ Two Year Old Pacer of the Year. As a three-year-old Smiling Shard won the rich New Zealand Yearling Sales Series Open Final and the Northern Stakes. He narrowly missed becoming a double Australasian Breeders Crown champion, finishing second in the Final. In the ensuing two seasons he starred in the free-for-all ranks, winning back-to-back Kaikoura Cups (in 2:58.7 and 2:58.9 for the 2400m stand), the Ashburton Cup (with a 55.1 last half and a 25.7 last quarter), running second in the Hunter Cup, Taylor Mile and the Franklin Cup (in 4:00.8 for the 3200m) and third in the NZ 4yo Jewels and the Inter Dominion Grand Final at Addington behind the champions Im Themightyquinn and Blacks A Fake. Overall, Smiling Shard started 50 times for 17 wins, 15 seconds and 7 thirds. In those 17 wins he defeated no less than 19 Group One winners. As a two-year-old his record was impeccable – 17 starts for 8 wins, 5 seconds and 3 thirds. He also had a great affinity with Australia, starting there 9 times for 5 wins, 3 seconds and a 4th in the NSW Derby. His total stake earnings are $1,178,793.
Tell us about one of his performances that was the most memorable to you? “When he won the Breeders Crown as a two-year-old, Lanercost came at him and he was all done at the 500. It was only determination that won him that race – he just wouldn’t let the other horse get past him. To do that at the end of a long hard season said a lot about the horse.”
Dexter Dunn on Smiling Shard
How would you sum up Smiling Shard? “You need horses that will fight for you and not lie down. It all comes down to attitude and he had it.” Champion New Zealand reinsman, Dexter Dunn talks about Smiling Shard, a horse he won 15 races on including three Group Ones.
What did Smiling Shard mean to you? “He was special. Of all the horses I’ve driven he’d have the biggest heart.” “He was the most natural two-year-old I’ve driven. Beautifully gaited and a beautiful horse to drive.” “He had an amazing attitude and always gave 120% every time he went out on the track.” What was one of his greatest achievements? “It was as a two-year-old - to be out there in the first Young Guns Heats at the start of December and still be going strong at the Breeders Crown in August. That showed heart and how good a two-year-old he was.” Tell us about one of his performances that he possibly hasn’t had the credit for he truly deserved? “When he ran second in the Hunter Cup as a four-year-old he was outstanding. He sat three wide without cover for the last lap, hit the front turning for home and it took the whole straight for them to get past him - and he still hung on for a close second ahead of Im Themightyquinn.”
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BETTERTHaNCHEDDaR Better than the rest by John Coffey
For quite a few years Graeme Henley and myself have made an annual trip to North America. In 2010 we visited the stables of leading Canadian trainer Casie Coleman to have a look at her 2009 US Two-Year-Old of the Year – a very impressive looking Artsplace colt (there’s no prizes for guessing this colt’s name). She was very pleased to lead out this colt and then was excited to inform us that she had in her barn a colt that was the fastest horse she had ever trained – an early two-year-old. Now that was a big and surprising statement from a woman who is firmly entrenched at the top end of Canadian trainers – a trainer who first came to the “big time” in 2005 as the guardian of the super quick colt American Ideal. So what was the name of this unraced two-year-old colt – we needed to know to follow Casie’s amazing statement. When she told us ‘Betterthancheddar’, we thought that this must be some kind of joke, not that Casie was one for clowning around. So for the remaining six months of 2010 we kept looking in the results for this Bettor’s Delight colt from the Camtastic mare Lady Ashlee Ann. The name of Betterthancheddar was notable for its absence – there was no doubt he was ready to go at two, but apparently niggling issues at the wrong time prevented a debut in 2010. Well Graeme and I were again present at Mohawk racetrack on 30 May 2011, when “Cheddar” was having just his third race start. We were expecting a nice conservative trip for such an inexperienced
horse, but WOW – are horses supposed to go in 1:49.4 and win by half the length of the straight (with a last half in sub 53 seconds) at just their third start? Well we’re not sure after talking to Casie the next day but the driver that night, Brett Miller, only had one more time with his seat in Cheddar’s sulky. That devastating win that night might have resulted in Cheddar racing below par for the next six weeks as certainly his runs in the North America Cup and Meadowlands Pace were not of “the fastest I’ve ever trained” standard. After a freshener back in Ontario, Betterthancheddar resumed his three-year-old career on 23 August with a comfortable win in 1:50.4 – last quarter in 26:2. Now the real “Cheddar” was showing that Casie’s big statements were not idle chatter. His last 9 starts for 2011 resulted in 7 wins including the elimination and final of the $500,000 Breeders Crown, the $225,000 American National Stake, the $342,000 Cane Pace and the $175,000 Windy City Pace. In those races he defeated the millionaires Roll With Joe, Big Bad John and Up The Credit.
WOW – are horses supposed to go in 1:49.4 and win by half the length of the straight (with a last half in sub 53 seconds) at just their third start?
W
e all know that the transition from racing three-year-olds to taking on the hardened warhorses in the free-for-all ranks as a four-year-old is a mighty hurdle to jump. In June last year Casie Coleman was convinced that Betterthancheddar would handle the jump with ease. In fact she was so confident that she told us he could easily go through the season undefeated and take a 1:46-and-piece time at Lexington – given the right weather conditions. Well he didn’t make it to Lexington but history shows his season hugely impressive – 11 starts for 9 wins and 2 World Records. Even the two defeats were by the narrowest of margins – a nose and a neck, so Casie was only about a metre short of her prediction that Betterthancheddar would clean sweep his season. The two World Records came on five-eighths and half mile tracks. The first was in the $500,000 Ben Franklin Final. “Cheddar” had taken control of the race through a brutal first half of 52.8. He did not allow anyone to threaten him seriously in the run to the wire and collected a $250,000 first prize and a World Record of 1:48. Two weeks later and back in Canada, he won the $175,000 Des Smith Classic at Ottawa’s half mile saucer in 1:49.8. Then on 17 September “Cheddar” travelled to Maryland for the $216,500 Bobby Quillen Memorial. He fired from the gate in 27.2, then proceeded to lead the field for the two-lap race – cruising home in 27.2 to set another World Record, this time for a half mile track of 1:49.4.
Alabar News 2013 |
Sadly, Betterthancheddar’s race career came to an abrupt end on 29 June this year. In the $500,000 Ben Franklin, he blasted to the lead from gate seven – a first quarter in 25.8 on a wet, boggy track if you don’t mind - and then took a trail before being posted three back on the rail. He never saw daylight and finished hard held behind the leaders. Tragically he appeared to take a bad step on pulling up, virtually tearing his suspensory from the bone and had to be helped from the track, stabilised and whisked to New Bolton Veterinary Centre. The strongly built son of Bettor’s Delight now commences his new career after a race career that resulted in 19 wins and 9 placings in 33 starts and a bankroll of $1,634.314. For the record he was race-timed in better than 1:50 on 19 occasions and in 11 of his 33 starts he ran a closing quarter in better than 27 seconds.
BOTH MUM AND DAD IN HALL OF FAME
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etterthancheddar’s sire, Bettor’s Delight needs little introduction to breeders in the Southern Hemisphere. He was a brilliant performer
Casie Coleman on Better than cheddar
and of course he is now the dominant sire in the Southern Hemisphere – siring premierships in both New Zealand and Australia in 2011/12 is hard to argue against. Betterthancheddar is his fastest and richest colt son. Lady Ashlee Ann, his dam, has now received a special reward of her own. Earlier this year she was voted into the USTA Broodmare Hall Of Fame. Rewards such as these are not handed out lightly, they are earned – 12 foals of racing age, 10 winners (all in 2:00), 8 in 1:55 and 2 with sub 1:50 records and combined earnings of over $3.9 million – that’s a record that most horse “mums” (and their owners) aspire to, but few ever achieve. In Australia particularly, Betterthancheddar appears to have a smorgasbord of Artsplace line mares that will line up for his services. In New Zealand mares by Live Or Die, Badlands Hanover (the same maternal family as “Cheddar”), In The Pocket, Christian Cullen and Mach Three seem well suited. Betterthancheddar will be based at Alabar’s New Zealand property for his debut season – his service fee $4,950 (incl GST) in Australia and $4,500 (plus GST) in New Zealand.
Claus Andersen / The Canadian Sportsman Photo
Behind him that night were Foiled Again and We Will See (combined earnings of over $7 million).
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Casie Coleman is one of North America’s leading trainers. Not only is she a champion trainer but she is a trainer of champions. Here is what she had to say about the recently retired Betterthancheddar.
How would you describe Cheddar as a horse and a racehorse? “As a race horse he is perfect gaited, gets around any size track and very easy to handle in a race. He can leave out in 25.4 then take a hold of him he’ll come right back to you. He can switch his gears in the blink of an eye when racing off a helmet which was most proved in the Breeders Crown. “As a horse he has perfect confirmation, and his body and his head are just stunning. Picking him as a baby it was his eye more than anything, Cheddar and Sportswriter both had that eye. I don’t know how to explain it but it’s the eye of the tiger!! When I see it I bring that horse home!! He’s just the complete package and like most good horses from day one I knew this horse was extra special.” What made him special? “What made him special was his perfect gait and his desire to win. He could race any way you wanted him to, he could leave out with the car, come first over, come from off the pace, anyway you wanted he could do it. How he managed to get wrestled the whole stretch Breeders Crown night then somehow find a seam and fly up it with no time left was amazing.” He obviously ran a lot of great races but what was the highlight for you? “His highlight race; yes he had a lot and that is very tough to pick just one. I’m gonna have to say the Ben Franklin Final last year. He set some crazy insane fractions, never had a breather and just kept digging in. He wasn’t letting anyone beat him that night; he was just simply the best.” His injury was incredibly bad luck. What do you think he might have achieved this year without it? “I honestly could not wait to get him to Red Mile in the daytime and see what he could really do. I really swore this was the fastest, most talented horse I have ever had in my care and I really thought on a perfect day with the fractions set up right we would see Cheddar set a world record. The main reason I wanted to race this horse again at five was I really truly believed we would witness him go a world record performance.”
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OFF aND New Image Media Photo
ARTHUR BLUE CHIP (by Shadow Play) 1:52.8 - $110,000
SHADOWBRIAND (by Shadow Play) 1:54.8 - $51,085
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Shadow Play, Mister Big and Art Official competed against each other o Ame
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NEFERTITI BLUECHIP (by Shadow Play) 1:54 - $108,900
hadow Play has made quite the incredible start to his siring career. In fact he is the Leading 2yo Sire in North America by Average Earnings per foal and Average Earnings per starter (to 15/7/13).
52 of his 107 2yos have raced, 14 have won and he has eight in 1:55. He has sired no fewer than seven winners of legs of the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold. It has been extremely pleasing to see them race as the majority wear very little gear and they win from the front and off the pace. Quite simply his 2yos have taken Canada by storm. SHADOW PLAY’S LEADING PERFORMERS ARTHUR BLUE CHIP 1:52.8 - $110,000. At 2, won OSS Mid Summer Challenge, leg OSS Gold. (Artsplace) NEFERTITI BLUECHIP (M) 1:54 - $108,900. At 2, won OSS Mid Summer Challenge. (Bettors Delight) ALIBI SEELSTER (M) 1:53.6 - $61,000. At 2, won leg OSS Gold. (Intrepid Seelster) PERFORMING ART (M) 1:54.4 - $56,500. At 2, won leg OSS Gold. (Artsplace) LADY SHADOW (M) 1:54.8 - $51,500. At 2, won leg OSS Gold. (Camluck) SHADOWBRIAND 1:54.8 - $51,085. At 2, won leg OSS Gold. (Artsplace) YOSELIN SEELSTER (M) 1:57.2 - $39,900. At 2, 2nd leg OSS Gold. (Artsplace) BOOK BABE (M) 1:52.8 - $35,000. At 2, won leg OSS Gold. (Life Sign) TWIN B SPY 1:53.6 - $33,750. At 2, won leg OSS Gold. (Cams Card Shark)
ALIBI SEELSTER (by Shadow Play) 1:53.6 - $61,000
Tom Grossman is the owner of Blue Chip Farms in New York, one of the most successful standardbred farms in the world and home to the likes of Art Major, Bettor’s Delight and American Ideal. Here are his thoughts on the start Shadow Play has made to his siring career. To you, what is the most impressive thing about the start Shadow Play has made? “The reports on the Shadow Play two–year-olds in training have been good all winter. It is nice to see that the consistency of the early training reports has translated to success on the track.” It’s very early in the two-year-old season, how much can we read into what the Shadow Plays have achieved so far? “I feel that based on the first few stakes outings for this group, there are a number of Shadow Plays that show top Grand Circuit potential. The Shadow Plays are being trained by the top trainers in Canada and the US. They will have, and will get, the very best opportunity to succeed.” What do horsemen say about the Shadow Play two-year-olds? “Good attitude and easy to train. They are naturally strong, fast and willing.” What of Shadow Play can you see in his progeny? “Shadow Play has imparted a lot of his size and looks to his offspring. They have a lot his intelligence and “go to” attitude. Shadow Play has given them the building blocks, now it is up to them. “As a group, the debut of his sons and daughters could not have been improved upon.”
Alabar News 2013 |
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D RaCINg
Racehorsephoto.com
LET’S DRINK ON IT (by Art Official) 1:51.6 - $55,841
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FALCON JUSTICE (by Mister Big) 1:53.2 - $51,750
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on the track and now their progeny are showing great promise in North erica.
ON THE BIG SWING (by Mister Big) 1:55.8
SISTER STROLL (by Art Official) 1:54.2 - $47,113
MISTER BIG While Mister Big achieved his biggest successes in the Free For All ranks it is worth remembering he was also quite a talented stakes winning 2yo. His progeny have also displayed this talent with many stepping out early in the North American 2yo season. In just over the first month of the season his progeny have won $127,071, placing him second in the Leading First Season Sire race. His headline horse thus far is FALCON JUSTICE (out of a Falcon Seelster mare) who already looks like a star in the making. At his first start he led all the way and stopped the clock at 1:53.2 - the fastest time by a 2yo to that point of the season. Falcon Justice then showed his versatility by powering home over the top of his rivals in a $52,500 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold leg, running his last 400 metres in a wicked 26.6!
ART OFFICIAL Being Pennsylvania based, Art Official’s progeny have had to compete with some outstanding horses, however that hasn’t stopped them from starting with a bang. LET’S DRINK ON IT made a lot of noise in his short career. Making his debut in a division of the $30,000 PA Allstars, Let’s Drink On It shot off the gate to lead in the early stages before settling down and taking a sit. Then coming off cover he sprinted home in 27.2 to win in 1:52. At his third start, Let’s Drink On It led all the way in a PASS div and won in 1:51.6 - the fastest time by a 2yo pacer in North America in 2013 (to 19/7/13). Let’s Drink On It is not the only Art Official out there winning stakes races though. SISTER STROLL won her qualifier by over nine lengths before winning her race debut in 1:56.4.
CRAFTY MASTER is another headline horse for Mister Big. He couldn’t have started his career any better with two stakes wins from two starts.
Her subsequent two starts have both come in stakes races and she has emerged victorious in both of them.
He too has captured a $52,500 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold leg, winning it by over four lengths in 1:54.
GOOD CITATIONS (out of a Presidential Ball mare) is another winner who looks destined to soon become another stakes winner.
It is interesting to note that of his 4 winners, two are out of Camluck mares, one is out of a Presidential Ball mare and one is out of a Falcon Seelster mare.
In fact after winning on debut, he narrowly missed out on winning a $20,000 division of the PA Stallion Series, going down by a nose after setting the pace.
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auckland reactor Charisma is something you either have or you don’t. If the weight of early bookings is anything to go by, then Auckland Reactor obviously has it by the bucketful.
F
ocusing on the incredible highlights, rather than the setbacks, of one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most brilliant performers, breeders are seizing the opportunity to breed to the mercurial Auckland Reactor. This is a horse who won his first 17 starts in a row – 24 of his first 27 starts. The quickest New Zealand horse ever to get to $1 million in earnings. He had crowds of people leaning over the fence at race meetings hoping for a touch of his champion flesh; he was introduced to the Prime Minister of New Zealand; he brought harness racing to the attention of mainstream media and onto the national television news - without it having to involve controversy. He was New Zealand harness racing’s Black Caviar.
The quickest New Zealand horse ever to get to $1 million in earnings.
In total, Auckland Reactor won 21 Group races and $1,837,043 in stakes. He was the New Zealand Horse of the Year as both a three and four year old. Auckland Reactor brought new levels of speed to our racing. Remarkably he has five sub-26 second final quarters and nine sub-55 second final halves (one in sub-54) on his record. In 2008 when Auckland Reactor was dominating the three-year-old racing in New Zealand, a three-year-old named Somebeachsomewhere was equally dominant in North America. Both are sons of Mach Three and it was widely acknowledged at the time that Mach Three had the two greatest pacers in the world – Somebeachsomewhere in the Northern Hemisphere and Auckland Reactor in the Southern. Somebeachsomewhere retired to stud in 2009. Auckland Reactor became New Zealand’s most expensive standardbred being sold to an international group for $3.5 million. They decided to keep Auckland Reactor racing rather than take
an early retirement to stud. The path Somebeachsomewhere took now sees him rewriting the record books in his burgeoning siring career. While Auckland Reactor went on to record five further Group One victories – the NZ Free-ForAll (NZ Record), Auckland Cup, Taylor Mile, NZ Messenger (Race Record) and NZ Jewels 4yo Emerald plus a narrow and courageous second in the Hunter Cup and a clean sweep of the heats of the 2012 Inter Dominion at Gloucester Park, as has been well documented, the latter part of his career was plagued with sickness and misfortune. This has denied him the chance to go to stud at the peak of his success and command the level of service fee that was being suggested earlier in his career. We see this as a great opportunity for breeders. And we are obviously not alone. The only horse we have more bookings to at this time is his own sire – Mach Three.
Alabar News 2013 |
Tony Parker on Auckland Reactor
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Well respected Auckland vet Tony Parker and his wife Anne bred Auckland Reactor (and also raced him in the early part of his career). Here’s what Tony had to say about Auckland Reactor and his family.
You bred Auckland Reactor from a family you’ve always had a lot of time for and a family that’s produced you a lot of very good horses over the years. “Jack Shaw put me onto the family. He was a great old horseman and father of Christchurch vet John Shaw. He used to tell me about Big Shot – a really top Open Class horse that Jack Hughes trained in the Caduceus era. He was a great horse who could have been absolutely anything except that he went blind. “Bill Denton had a sister to Big Shot in Russley Girl. She was the dam of the Open Class mare Responsive who tragically only had one foal – that was the NZ Cup winner James. Russley Girl was also the dam of Russley Song, another tough racemare. I got into the family when Jack Shaw put me onto a daughter of Russley Song in Tudoress. She was also a smart racemare winning seven races. She’s the grandam of Auckland Reactor. “This is a family that’s always had the ability to leave great horses.” What’s one of the biggest thrills you had with Auckland Reactor? “Winning the NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Final at Addington on NZ Cup Day was a great thrill. He’d only had his first race start less than two months earlier in a maiden race at Timaru. To go round them and sit three wide parked for most of the last lap and then kick away from them in the straight – in a Group 1 race, so soon after his first start was just unbelievable. There’s obviously been a lot written about Auckland Reactor. Tell us something that’s not so well known about him. “He’s got a heart score of 140. Bill Bishop did the heart score on him when he was a three-year-old. This is a tremendous heart score but I wasn’t surprised as I’d heart scored quite a few in the family over the years and they all had great heart scores.”
Champion trainer Mark Purdon had this to say about Auckland Reactor, his two-time NZ Horse of the Year stable star:
Mark Purdon on Auckland Reactor
How would you describe Auckland Reactor? “He’s the best horse I’d trained. At his peak he made very good horses look like ordinary horses. He was a class above the others. What was it that made Auckland Reactor so special? “He could just maintain his speed for such a long way and do it so easily. It was a great feeling to just burn away from good fields with a 54 second last half.” What are some of his performances that really stick in your mind? “One of his greatest wins was in the New Zealand Derby. He went 3:09 breaking the New Zealand record and I don’t think I even turned the stick around. He just jogged it as he did so often. “When he won the Southern Supremacy at Invercargill he was just super. He broke the record that day, ran home in 54 seconds and under 26 seconds for the last quarter. He just spread-eagled the field but he never felt like he was out of a jog.”
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majestic son
Australasia’s leading sire of two-year-old trotters is coming back to Alabar to stand at the New Zealand farm for the 2013/14 breeding season.
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he son of a champion stallion in Angus Hall, Majestic Son is on that same path to greatness. As the richest trotting stallion ever to be imported to the southern hemisphere, great things were expected of Majestic Son and he has not disappointed.
He was voted Canada’s Horse of the Year in 2006 on the back of an unbelievable three-year-old season. Majestic Son won $1,353,896 and fourteen of his nineteen starts at this age, with wins in time honoured events such as the $1 million Canadian Trotting Classic, $500,000 Breeders Crown and $255,000 Goodtimes Trot as well as the Canadian Breeders Championship and several Ontario Sires Stakes Gold finals. He retired with total prize money of $1,993,157. Majestic Son has had a remarkable start to his stud career in Australasia with such notable standouts in New Zealand as One Over Da Moon, Daenerys Targaryen, Not About The Money & Majestic Time.
While in Australia he has the remarkable Im Stately who has won five of his eight starts, including the Group 1 Vicbred Final at Melton by 31 metres, with earnings of $A75,175 to date. Majestic Son is also the sire of My Valerie, a NZ bred filly that is unbeaten in five starts with $A23,500 in stakes thus far. Remarkably Majestic Son has sired the winners of six of the eight 2yo stakes races conducted this season in Australia and New Zealand. Included in those victories have been Group 1 quinellas in the Harness Jewels (One Over Da Moon and Majestic Time) and the Redwood Classic (Daenerys Targaryen and Im Stately). Majestic Son clicks very well with New Zealand bred trotting mares especially, evidenced by the range of quality performers from mares by the likes of Chiola Hanover (Daenerys Targaryen), Pine Chip (Rocky Six and My Valerie) and Continentalman (Hot Pants). However, Sundon mares have undoubtedly the greatest success with the likes of New Zealand and Australian stars One Over Da Moon and Im Stately being a result of this cross, along with the likes of Not About The Money and Majestic Time. NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN 2YO SIRING PREMIERSHIPS (TO 16/7/13)
One Over Da Moon defeating Majestic Time
New Zealand Leading sires of 2YO Trotters Wins Stake money Majestic Son 11 $181,430 Love You 1 $54,921 Great Success 2 $32,327 Muscle Mass 3 $26,101 Sundon 1 $19,360
Australian Leading sires of 2YO Trotters Wins Stake money Majestic Son 13 $152,369 Yankee Spider 5 $47,425 Bacardi Lindy 2 $41,050 Great Success 7 $35,088 Dream Vacation 2 $24,780
TREVOR CASEY ON MAJESTIC SON…
PAUL NAIRN ON MAJESTIC SON…
Trevor Casey is one of New Zealand’s most prolific and successful owners and breeders – particularly with the square-gaiters. On NZ Jewels day this year he had an involvement in an incredible eight starters including the top two-year-old trotting filly Daenarys Targaryen (by Majestic Son). What is your opinion of Majestic Son and what impact do you think he will have on the trotting industry here in New Zealand? “I am very excited about the stock of Majestic Son. I have three of my top mares booked into him this season and am looking forward to the resulting progeny.”
Paul Nairn is one of New Zealand’s leading trainers of trotters, a genius in the eyes of many. He had this to say about his latest brilliant youngster One Over Da Moon (by Majestic Son)
You own Daenerys Targaryen. What is she like to be associated with? “Daenerys Targaryen has a beautiful temperament, but definitely knows when it is time to race. The Majestic Son’s are intelligent animals and learn very quickly.” Did you buy any Majestic Son’s progeny at the yearling sales this year? “I was involved in the purchase of a Majestic Son filly out of Miss Whiplash who we are excited about. She broke in really well and is due to go back into work at Mark Purdons soon. Hopefully she will make another nice 2yo.”
What is One Over Da Moon like to train? What is his attitude like? “One Over Da Moon is very strong for a two-year-old, he has speed and can stay as well. He definitely has the will to win.” You have trained many outstanding young trotters. Where does One Over Da Moon rank amongst them? “I don’t like comparing the past with the present given the way the breed is evolving. I had Above The Stars and Enthuse, they were both top young trotters, but One Over Da Moon would be right up there.” What are the plans for One Over Da Moon leading up to the Breeders Crown? “As you say we are heading to the Breeders Crown with him. He will probably have a start or two here to get him ready for that. I wouldn’t be afraid to line him up against the C3 trotters if need be to get him ready for Australia.”
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GRIN IS LOOKING FLaSH
a shattered sesamoid bone in his last start also shattered the hopes and dreams of his owners, the American Enviro Stables, his trainer Peter Walsh and his breeder Joanne Anderson.
To the 15th of July 2013, Grinfromeartoear has sired the winners of $2.17 million in Australia in this current season. With still nearly another 50 days to go to season’s end, he will surely go to $2.25 million.
The giant ex Kiwi pacer Pure Power arrived at Menangle in late December 2012 and with the team of Nicole Molander (trainer) and Blake Fitzpatrick in the sulky has created a big impression. In his 12 Australian starts, he has saluted on three occasions and been placed in the Cordina Sprint (Gr.2) and $750,000 Miracle Mile, when he was a fast closing third to Baby Bling.
He currently sits in fifth position on the Australian 2 year old Sires List with 14 individual winners of $355,000. Those 2yo winners are headed by the Annie Belton trained Mister Jadore 1.58.9 $154,994. He recorded a six race winning streak in West Australia in April and May including the $100,000 WA Sales Classic and $50,000 Champagne Stakes. A second placing in the $100,000 Pearl Final followed in June. Mister Jadore is the second foal from the $100,000 winning, stakes placed Sands A Flyin mare Crystal Journey.
The wins included the Group 3 Ilsey Cup and an impressive victory in 1.51 on 9th February – last half in 54.7.
collected the Maryborough Cup just two weeks later. He followed that later in the season with a fourth in the Geelong Cup and fifth in the $50,000 Legends Mile. Saint Flash has now won $195,595. Other progeny of Grinfromeartoear that have given their owners a rewarding year have been Giggling Girl 1.52.4 Copagrin 1.54.7, Global View 1.53.7 and Asoka 1.56.5. It is testament to the ability of Grinfromeartoear as a sire, that three of his sons are now at stud in Australia – the multi-millionaires Mr Feelgood and Mister Big and now the millionaire New Zealand champion Smiling Shard.
Saint Flash, the first foal from the Safely Kept mare Torridon, has given his owner Noel Watson some special moments in Harness Racing this season.
The 2 year old colt Ubiquitous 1.56 was creating a big impression in NSW and Queensland, but tragedy struck before his seventh start was on the board.
The 20th of October last year provided Noel with “The Special Moment” when Saint Flash won the $30,000 Nyah Cup in front of a huge home town crowd at the opening night of the Swan Hill track.
His first 6 starts resulted in 3 wins, 2 placings and stakes of $32,049. The wins included a Heat and Semi Final of the NSW Breeders Challenge, but
To prove that this win was not a “flash in the pan”, the Daryl Douglas reined 5 year old also
William Crabb Photography
H
orses such as Pure Power, Saint Flash and Mister Jadore have helped give the Artsplace stallion Grinfromeartoear his best season yet since arriving in Australia in 2005.
Connections of Mister Jadore
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S
afari was one of the great sons of the legendary Fake Left. He will always be remembered for his astonishing win over the mighty Blacks A Fake in the 2008 Ballarat Cup.
Following this win Freds A Safari went to the paddock for a spell with the intention of bringing him back into work in the Spring in preparation for the SA Derby in January 2014.
Her selection of Safari for the mare was simple, but on this occasion definitely successful. Heather put the names of six or seven stallions in a hat and drew out Safari!
Safari was officially retired to stud duties in 2009 and now his first crop of youngsters are making their racetrack debuts in the 2012/13 season.
A debut season that resulted in 9 starts for 5 wins and 3 placings provided his owner Heather Howe with a dream result, especially as the horse is named after Heather’s late husband.
That is certainly a lot simpler than studying bloodline for hours or paying a bloodstock expert for advice. Whether it works for everyone is debatable, but on this occasion Heather you were the expert.
Freds A Safari has been trained and driven throughout his career to date by Darren Bilinger.
The mating carries a 4 x 4 cross to Most Happy Fella and 4 x 5 to Bret Hanover - nothing unusual about that - but also a 4 x 6 cross to Gay Reveler and that is something not often seen. (Chandon was bred 3 x 3 to Gay Reveler).
A colt with the unforgettable name of Freds A Safari has shown in his brief career to date that he is one of the smartest 2 year olds to have raced in the southern states of Australia this season. On the 1st of June this year he was a comfortable and impressive winner of the $54,000 Southern Cross Final at Globe Derby Park. On that night he found the front early in the race and led all the way, finding the finishing line strongly and rating 1:58.6 for the journey.
FREDS A CHAMP
- HE’S A SAFARI TOO!
It was a run reminiscent of his sire Safari as Freds A Safari was attacked for most of the 1800 metre journey by the favourite Major Secret. Now that in itself shows the importance of this win as just five weeks later Major Secret (by Art Major) took home the trophy in the $100,000 Vicbred Final.
“He broke in exceptionally well and has been a perfect horse to train. He has a wonderful nature and really looks like a good horse,” explained Darren recently when questioned about Freds A Safari. “Next season we are aiming him at the SA Derby, the Southern Cross Series and the Vicbred Series.” Freds A Safari was bred by Heather Howe from the Vintner mare Monaloo, whom she borrowed from friends Graham and Raelene Brook. “He broke in exceptionally well and has been a perfect horse to train. He has a wonderful nature and really looks like a good horse”
Apart from Freds A Safari, Safari is the sire of two other impressive winners over the past two months. On the 13th of July Another Safari won the Loddon Valley Classic at Bendigo in 2:00.2 (on a heavy, rain affected track). More wins before the season is over look a distinct possibility for this colt. Before retiring to stud permanently, Safari bred 4 or 5 mares in 2008 and from these matings came the gelding Nogueira. He has been produced on 3 occasions to date for 2 impressive victories at Melton and Ballarat.
CHANGE OF SCENERY FOR VILLAGE JASPER AND ARMBRO OPERATIVE There is a saying that “a change is as good as a holiday.” If that is true then the two veterans of the Alabar Stallion team in Armbro Operative and Village Jasper should enjoy life for the next six months or so. They have in fact changed rivers - from the banks of the Murray River in Northern Victoria to the banks of the Murrumbidgee in Wagga, NSW. Yirribee Stud, under the management of Rod Woodhouse (owner) and Roger Strong (studmaster), provided home for Village Jasper in the 2011 season and now are housing both Jasper and Armbro Operative. Both the boys are having million dollar seasons again - Village Jasper’s progeny have earned around $1.9 million to the 20th July, whilst Operatives earnings are over $1.5 million. Armbro Operative is also establishing himself as a leading broodmare sire - his daughters have left horses of the calibre of Runaway Red 1:53.5, Kept For Pleasure 1:56, Mindarie Priddy 1:55.3, Our Femme Fatale 1:56.4, Marquess De Posh 1:54.5 and Lifeinthefastlane 1:54.7. Bookings this season to either Village Jasper or Armbro Operative are to be directed to Diane, Rod or Roger at Yirribee - Phone (02) 6933 1217 or email studmaster@yirribee.com.au
Shane Walkinshaw on Gotta Go Cullect … Shane Walkinshaw is stable foreman for leading Southland horseman, Hamish Hunter. He had this to say about the Gotta Go Cullects they have in their stable. “We have three Gotta Go Cullects in work. They all have size about them. They look to have ability and plenty of bottom to them. They look like they’ll make good strong 3yos.”
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The Major and The Mach
T
here is no doubt that the two headline acts on the Alabar Stallion Roster are Art Major and Mach Three.
Between them they have sired the winners of $9.8 million in Australia for this current season, so there is no doubt that this figure will be well over $10 million by seasons end. In addition they have collectively sired the winners of $3.2 million in New Zealand with just a few days of the season remaining. As is usual, Art Major has had another $1 million season with the two year olds, having stashed away $1,249,500 in earnings (to 19/7/13). Can he break his all time record of $1,447,067 set last season? With the rich Breeders Crown Series still to come and horses of the calibre of Lettucerockthem, All Eyes On Us, Major Secret and Sky Major to represent him there is every chance another record will fall the way of this awesome son of Artplace. Now speaking of records, here is one that is surely unique in the history of the industry in the Southern Hemisphere. Art Major is the sire of the fastest ever two year olds on both sides of the Tasman Sea. In Australia it is Lettucerockthem with his 1:52.1 set in the Australian Pacing Gold Final on Miracle Mile day and in New Zealand, Sky Major became the Kiwi’s fastest ever with his 1:52.8 victory in the Jewels.
Summer winning the Group One Ballarat and Hunter Cups. He also finished with brave seconds in the Victoria Cup (December) and Inter Dominion Final at Menangle on the 3rd of March. Majestic Mach has continued his steam rolling ride with wins in the Queensland Derby and Qbred Final. Only an unlucky second in the $200,000 NSW Derby has put a blemish on a 22 start career that has now banked $570,327 for his connections - owners Kevin and Kay Seymour and trainer/driver Grant Dixon. Mach Alert 1:50.9 and Mysta Magical Mach 1:52.2 have both had seasons that have grossed in excess of $200,000 each and both horses competed in the $750,000 Inter Dominion Final. The four year old Mach Beauty has been somewhat of a surprise package this season winning 12 races and $175,390. He collected the NSW Breeders Challenge 4yo Final trophy on the 30th of June and was recently only beaten a head in the Qld Sunshine Sprint in track record time. The three year old filly Getya Wings Out has also produced some good memories for SA based owner Jason Bussenchutt with a win in the SA Southern Cross Final and a runners up prize in the $100,000 Vicbred Final on the 6th of July.
Now Mach Three who is just three months older than Art Major, is having a huge season as well. On the Australian Sires list Mach Three is not far behind Art Major in third position. However his average earnings per starter is quite a lot better than Art Major and Bettors Delight, who sit above him in total earnings. In New Zealand, Mach Three’s total progeny earnings should exceed $2 million by the 31st of July and his 2yo daughter Venus Serena is a long odds on favourite to win the 2yo Filly of the Year award. Venus Serena, a December foal had 8 starts for 5 wins and accumulated $265,782 for the season, culminating with a record breaking 1:54.7 win in the Jewels Final. In addition she won the $104,000 Caduceus Club Classic in April and the $156,000 Sires Stakes Final in May. In Australia Mach Three has been represented by some real headline acts in Mah Sish, Majestic Mach, Mach Alert and Mach Beauty. Mah Sish and the Butt brothers struck a rare patch of form in the Australian
Harness Jewels Mach Three quinella - Venus Serena (5) holding off Te Amo Bromac (7)
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up to date and in the know
ALABAR WEBSITE
We are very proud of our website. Redesigned last year, it has a fresh new look. However the aim of the website has not changed – to give you as much information as possible for you to then make an informed decision about what stallion to choose for your mare. There are certain aspects on the site that you should pay attention to when doing your research. Mating Hints: We try to let you know what type of mares might be suitable for each stallion. Of course there are always a myriad of factors to consider.
ALABAR TWITTER
We first started on twitter a couple of years ago and we have seen steady gains in the people using it since then. It is a quick, easy communication tool that we use to keep you up to date on the major Alabar winners, but also industry news or any other interesting items we think you might find useful. A social media platform is only as good as the people that are using it and we have noticed in the past 12 months a real explosion in the Harness Racing people using twitter. From trainers and drivers to owners and breeders, many of the top people in each aspect of our sport, from all over the world, are now on twitter.
Test Matings: We all want to see what the tabulated pedigree of a resultant foal will look like, so now you can. Alabar was one of the first standardbred websites to introduce this feature and it grows in popularity every year. Detailed stallion information: We provide you with a lot of information about each stallion and update it regularly. Photos, race videos, pedigrees, offspring – it is all there. One aspect of the stallion pages that people sometimes overlook is the offspring pedigrees. For each stallion’s top performers we have a pedigree link which lets you look at the horses 6 generation tabulated pedigree. This can be a valuable aspect to your research as you can see what is working to produce these outstanding horses. The eNews: The eNews is our way of keeping you up to date about all things Alabar. We provide stories about all the major winners and once again you can view a 6 generation tabulated pedigree of any winner that is mentioned in the eNews. Online Booking Application Booking applications to our stallions can now be done online. Just click the link on the homepage and fill out your details.
twitter.com/AlabarFarms facebook.com/AlabarFarms www.alabar.com.au or www.alabar.co.nz
ALABAR FACEBOOK
Facebook is a great tool for us to be able to share news with you. In the time we have been on Facebook we have really made great strides and now have almost 1700 likes from around the world. A more graphical social media platform than twitter, we spend a lot of time writing posts and sharing photos and videos with you. As with twitter we are by far the most active Southern Hemisphere stud on Social Media. As with all social media, Facebook is designed to create open communication and the really encouraging aspect for us is the growing number of people communicating with us via Facebook. If you have a query we aim to be able to answer it no matter how you get it to us!
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A
stunning individual himself, Big Jim is passing on these looks to his foals.
These three foals were all bred by Hanover Shoe Farm and as you can see Big Jim is stamping his foals with size and strength. It is with great expectations that we await his debut Southern Hemisphere crop that will start arriving this September.
BIG JIM
Gunjan Patel Photo
FOALS
Big Jim - Deer Valley Miss Colt
Gunjan Patel Photo
Pictured Foals Big Jim - Deer Valley Miss Colt: A half brother to 9 winners incl Knock Three Times 1:51 - $653,717. Out of a 1:52.8 Artsplace mare. Big Jim - Ifyoucouldcwhati C filly: A half sister to Infrontigo Hanover 1:55 - $105,617. Out of a 1:50.4 Artsplace mare.
Big Jim - Ifyoucouldcwhati C filly
DATES TO REMEMBER
STALLIONS NOT SHUTTLING THIS YEAR
Pre-paid Early Bird Service Fees Due 30th September
With the cost of shuttling stallions continuing to rise and with the market getting more and more competitive, sometimes we just have to make the tough decisions.
Australasian Breeders Crown Sunday 18 August Tabcorp Park, Melton, Victoria
As such we have decided to give Real Desire and Santanna Blue Chip a year off shuttling and also to hold off bringing Jereme’s Jet back for another year.
NZ Breeding Seminars Invercargill – Wednesday 11 September Christchurch – Thursday 12 September
With the reports we are hearing and the numbers they have coming up, we have every faith that these stallions will go on to be very successful. However, the reality is that while they all would have gotten a respectable book of mares this stud season it would’ve barely been enough to cover the burgeoning costs of shuttling.
National Blue Ribbon Broodmare Sale and Stallion Parade Sunday 22 September Alabar Bloodstock, Echuca, Victoria
Provided their progeny kick on the way we expect, the intention is to bring all three stallions back to New Zealand for stud duties in 2014.
Alabar First Days of Collection Australia – Monday 23 September New Zealand – Monday 9 September (earlier by arrangement)
Any free returns to Real Desire and Santanna Blue Chip can be used as a credit to any of our other stallions or, if that does not suit, will be refunded in full. We will also be advertising these stallions leading up to the 2014 Yearling Sales to help breeders who have yearlings to sell by them.
The class of
2013 Artiscape (frozen) Art Major Art Official Auckland Reactor Betterthancheddar Big Jim Courage Under Fire Elsu Federal Flex (frozen) Gotta Go Cullect Great Success Grinfromeartoear Mach Three Majestic Son Major In Art Mister Big Safari Shadow Play Smiling Shard
BIG JIM US 2yo Pacer of the Year, standing his second season at Alabar in 2013
ALABAR AUSTRALIA Cnr Fraser Road & Murray Valley Highway, Koyuga, Vic PO Box 129, Tongala, Victoria, Australia, 3621 Tel: (03) 5859 2201 Fax: (03) 5859 2206
ALABAR NEW ZEALAND 480 Seagrove Road, RD4, Pukekohe, 2679, New Zealand Tel: (09) 232 1800 Fax: (09) 232 1799