Alabar Newspaper 2016

ALABAR NEWS JULY 2016

From the Trainer's mouth The Auckland Reactors and Betterthancheddars are impressing!

AMORE STRIDE Group One winning son of Love You to Alabar

Interviews with Phil Creighton Sarah Wall Mario Di Carlo Paul Blackshaw

ROCK N ROLL HEAVEN Already the sire of 7 Group 1 winners!

Now standing at Alabar!

2016 ALABAR NEWS EARLY BIRD PAYMENT OPTION

CONTACTS

20% Discount For Up-Front Payment

Alabar Australia (Phone Numbers +61)

Over the last three 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 2016.

Sally Burgess, Liz Birnie & Belinda Richardson (Office) Fax

Brett Coffey (General Manager) John Coffey (Breeding Consultant)

Email Sally Burgess

sally@alabar.com.au Liz Birnie

liz@alabar.com.au Alan Galloway (studmaster)

alan@alabar.com.au Brett Coffey

brett@alabar.com.au Belinda Richardson belinda@alabar.com.au John Coffey

john@alabar.com.au Alabar (NZ) Ltd (Phone Numbers +64)

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 2016.

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.

Front Cover Picture ROCK N ROLL HEAVEN

(Belinda Richardson Photo)

03 5859 2201 (8am - 4 pm) 03 5859 2206 0423 812 652 0418 500 211

Nigel Fahy (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 Nigel Fahy nigel@alabar.co.nz Ivan Behrnes ivanbehrnes@yahoo.co.nz

ROLL WITH JOE

1:48.4 - $1,805,102

Cam’s Card Shark - Classic Wish - Armbro Emerson

USTA 3yo Pacing Colt of the Year and now a Group One producing sire.

Fully Booked in 2016/17

www.alabar.com.au

Trish Dunell Photo

Mitch Maguire

T

he breeding business is very often a numbers game.

In the age of unlimited books, the accepted mantra is that you need big numbers to make a big impact.

That’s what makes the impression Sportswriter has made in New Zealand so refreshing.

There’s no doubt he’s a high-class sire in North America – two sub-1:50 pacers (including the 1:48 winner Reverend Hanover) and 36 sub-1:53 performers in a still very young siring career is testimony to this.

His daughter Shezallapples recently winning the Group One NSW Breeders Challenge Final for two-year-old fillies is yet another example of the excellent siring job he’s doing in Australia.

But with a New Zealand two-year-old crop of just 14 foals he faced an uphill battle to make an impact on that side of the Tasman. To his great credit, defying the odds stacked against him, he most certainly has.

Two Sportswriters in the NZ Jewels Two-Year-Olds Colts Final no less.

All told, these 14 foals have to date resulted in five twoyear-old qualifiers including three sub-2:00 performers – and all three are horses with a bright future.

Mitch Maguire (1:57.7 and fourth in the NZ Jewels) heads the list. An impressive individual from the Christian Cullen mare Miley Maguire, he was selected by Pukekohe trainer Brent Mangos at the NZ Premier Yearling Sale and knocked down to him for $46,000 on behalf of a group including Barry Howlett and Trevor Lindsay from WA. BRENT MANGOS ON MITCH MAGUIRE: “I bought him on type as I didn’t know a lot about Sportswriter. He was just a lovely yearling.

“He was always perfect right the way through, good

SPORTSWRITER DEFYING THE ODDS IN NEW ZEALAND natured and very good gaited. He showed high speed and I was confident he’d do a good job as a two-year-old.

“His win at Auckland was very good but it was his win at Cambridge when he beat the older horses in 2:41 for 2200m, setting a track record for a two-year-old that really impressed me. That run also showed me that he had strength to go with his speed and that he should carry on with the job as a three and four-year-old.

“He wasn’t that far away from the very best ones and he proved that by running fourth in both Group Ones he started in.

“He’s been sold now to Greg Bond in WA with Barry and Trevor staying in for a share. With his gait and real good gate-speed he should do a real good job over there.”

Sportswriter’s other race winning two-year-old and Jewels finalist in New Zealand was The Lone Ranger (also out of a Christian Cullen mare).

Trained by Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick for Stonewall Stud and one of their syndicates, he impressed winning on debut at Cambridge in a 1:59.6 mile rate for 2200m after sitting parked for most of the journey.

Syndicate manager Jill Stockman said “He’s a lovely horse to do anything with and while his season didn’t quite pan out the way we had hoped we expect him to be stronger as a three-year-old and for him to work his way through the classes.”

The third of the sub-2:00 Sportswriter two-year-olds, Tadpole’s Legacy, is the one that has people talking. An ultra-impressive trialist, he’s recently been sold to Greg Brodie and will be transferred to the barn of Mark Jones

to commence his racing career.

Initially registered as Melman, he sold at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sale to Nigel McGrath for $20,000.

So why the name change to the somewhat unusual moniker?

Trainer Leonne Jones explains: “When Todd Halliday bought him from Nigel McGrath he wanted to name him after his late father. His father’s nickname was Tadpole, so hence Tadpole’s Legacy.

“He’s just a lovely, lovely horse. He wears no gear, no headcheck or anything.

“He obviously is a high speed horse but there’s more to him than that, he’s an all-rounder. We think he’ll go on to be a classic horse.”

On the back of these quality two-year-olds – from such limited numbers – Alabar have decided that Sportswriter will stand at their New Zealand farm this season. A horse with excellent fertility, he will however still be very much available to his loyal following in Australia.

Note: Tadpole’s Legacy has been renamed Whittaker.

He was always perfect right the way through, good natured and very good gaited. He showed high speed and I was confident he’d do a good job as a two-year-old.

Brent Mangos on Mitch Maguire

Lett Photography

Amore Stride

That’s AMORE! A

labar are very pleased to be standing Amore Stride - a Group 1 winning son of the outstanding trotting sire, Love You - at their Australian farm this season.

Love You has a legitimate claim for the title of the leading trotting sire in the world today. In 2015 he was the champion sire of France, The Netherlands and Sweden.

Love You’s worldwide influence also continues to gain momentum in New Zealand and Australia. The abundance of his quality sons and daughters currently gracing our racetracks belies the lack of numbers he has in this part of the world.

It is, however, his son Monbet that is becoming the real game-changer. He’s been an absolute phenomenon in the 2015/16 season winning seven Group 1 races – an astonishing feat for a four-year-old trotter racing against the battle hardened free-for-allers.

Amore Stride caught the eye of Emilio and Mary Rosati at the 2010 NZ Premier Yearling Sale at Christchurch. A beautiful rangy chestnut and a classically European-type, he was their favourite in the sale and they went to $140,000 to secure him.

This made him not only the highest priced yearling in the sale but also the highest priced trotting yearling ever to sell in New Zealand – a record which still stands today.

After being twice placed in New Zealand as a two-year-old, Amore Stride then transferred to Australia where as a threeyear-old he ran 2nd in both the NSW Trotting Derby and the Breeders Crown Final.

It was as a 5yo that he had his career highlight when he trounced the opposition in the Group 1 Franco Australian Trotters Final at Menangle - winning by over 18 metres from the star trotter Keystone Del who headed in a distant remainder. His time was an excellent 2:01.9 mile rate for the 3009 metres.

Overall, in an all too brief 32 start career, Amore Stride took a best time of 1:59.4 and won 10 races.

Amore Stride also boasts a strong dam’s family, being from the racewinning Chiola Hanover mare Eilish Mac. He is a half-brother to six winners including the tremendous campaigner and multiple Group 1 winner Earl Of Mot (31 wins, $535,756), Ella Powell (11 wins, NZ Trotting Oaks) and Harriet Hughes (5 wins), the dam of the current speedy trotter Harriet Of Mot (8 wins, 1:57.9).

Amore Stride was test bred to a selection of mares belonging to Emilio and Mary Rosati last season – and is wonderfully fertile. He will be available in Australia for A$2,500 (incl GST) and in New Zealand at NZ$2,500 (plus GST).

MACH THREE

A STYLISHLY SEXY PEDIGREE....

1st DAM: EILISH MAC (m. Chiola Hanover) t, 2:11 $3,675. Dam of 10 foals, 7 winners, incl: EARL OF MOT (g. Earl) t, 1:56.2 $535,756. At 3, won Australasian Breeders Crown Final (Gr.1); 3rd GN Trotting Derby (Gr.1). As Aged, won NSW Trotters Mile (Gr.1), Australasian Breeders Crown Trotters FFA (Gr.2), Vic Coulter Trotters Crown (Gr.3), Vic True Roman Trotters FFA (Gr.3).

ELLA POWELL (m. Earl) t, 2:02.8 $125,849. At 3, won NZ Trotters Trust Trotting Oaks (Gr.2). As Aged, 3rd Canty Park Trotting Cup (Gr.3). Set NZ Record.

AMORE STRIDE (h. Love You) t, 1:59.4.

Harriet Hughes (m. Sundon) t, 2:03.9 $38,782. At 3, 2nd NZ Sires Stakes 3yo NZ Trotters Championship (Gr.2); 3rd NZ Trotting Derby (Gr.1). Dam of: HARRIET OF MOT (m. Monarchy) t, 1:57.9 - $76,266. At 4, won Southern Lights Trot (Gr.3); 3rd NZ 4&5yo Trotting Championship (Gr.3).

1:49 - $2,376,700

Matts Scooter - All Included - Abercrombie

An incredible sire. A Top 3 sire in both Australia and New Zealand.

Aus: $12,000 (incl GST) | NZ: $11,000 (plus GST)

www.alabar.com.au

WE ARE ALL WATCHING FOR A NEW WORLD RECORD W

ith the emergence of three super star pacers in the free for all ranks in North America this year many predict it is only a matter of time before the World Race Record of 1.46.8 is broken.

Dave Landry Photo

This coversation only gives more kudos to what a great achievement this record is.

On the 12th July 2014, He’s Watching added his name to the list of the most prestigious of records when he was a two and half length winner of the $776,000 Meadowlands Pace.

He came from off the pace to unleash a 25.6 last quarter to blow his opposition away.

“He just has so much speed and now being on a big track he is able to flaunt it even more,” said trainer Dave Menary after the sizzling win.

This win at three, followed on from a perfect eight for eight season as a Two Year Old which was crowned with the Dan Patch Award for Two Year Old Pacing Colt of the Year.

He’s Watching retired with the impressive credentials of 21 starts, 13 wins, $1,129,215 in prize money and of course a World Record as the equal fastest horse of all time. In fact during his career he set three World Records, all on different sized tracks.

He is a member of one of the most potent families in North America – through the Knight Dream mare K Nora.

Three freakishly talented free-for-all war horses striving to match a record He’s Watching and Somebeachsomewhere set as three-year-olds - 1:46.8!

millionaires: ETERNAL CAMNATION (m) 1.49.4 - $4,129,390 MR FEELGOOD 1.49 - $3,366,157 CHANCEY LADY (m) 1.48.4 - $2,072,092 LIFE SIGN 1.50.6 - $1,912,454 AMERICAN JEWEL (m) 1.48.2 - $1,840,565 WESTERN IDEAL 1.48 - $1,455,622

He possesses a 3 x 4 cross to both Three Diamonds and Leah Almahurst, mares that were both Champions on the racetrack.

QUALITY WESTERN 1.49.4 - $1,299,024

Many of the descendants of K Nora have achieved “Champion” status on the racetrack and include the

NAUGHTY BUT NICE (m) 1.54 - $1,062,197

REMEMBER WHEN (m) 1.50.6 - $1,245,718 LUCK BE WITH YOU 1.48 - $1,113,134 LEAH ALMAHURST (m) 1.52.6 - $1,053,201

HE’S WATCHING IS AWAY TO A FLYING START

T

he flying machine He’s Watching commenced his Breeding career worldwide in the Southern Hemisphere in 2015.

Between New Zealand and Australia He’s Watching bred 198 mares, which gives him plenty of gate speed in the race for breeding success.

Of course there was a bundle of quality amongst those almost 200 mares and here is a small sample: ARTIFICIAL 1.58.7 - $209,723.

CHA CHING CHACHING 1.56.2 - $111,199.

COUNTERFEIT GIRL - The dam of 7 winners including DEVILISH SMILE 1.57.6 - $282,091.

ELECT TO LIVE 1.55.5 - $544,120 – Champion 2 & 3YO Filly.

FRONT COVER LOVER - Dam of BETTOR COVER LOVER 1.53.8 - $1,061,534.

GALLEONS CHEER 1.57.4 – dam of CHEER THE LADY 1.55.1 - $314,625.

LOVE TO LIVE - Dam of TERROR TO LOVE 1.51 $2,429,618.

MY SILKY SAND - Dam of PASSIONS PROMISE 1.57.3 - $272,345.

OH EYE SEE 1.54.5 - $101,705 and a half-sister to TWO EYE SEE 1.52.4 - $306,703.

OUR MAID MARIANNE 1.57.9 - $110,388 and a half sister to SAFARI 1.55.7 - $535,445.

POMIS PRINCESS - Dam of ARMS OF AN ANGEL 1.50.3 - $180,466.

TANDIAS COURAGE 1.53.6 $265,237 and dam of 4 winners incl: TATIJANA BROMAC 1.54.4 - $215,578 and TANDIAS BROMAC 1.53.7 - $193,951.

TARA GOLD - Dam of TIGER TARA 1.54.6 - $612,956.

TIROL’S SALLANCE 2.00.3 - $70,065 – NZ 2YO Filly of the Year.

Wesley The athlete not the media personality!

Wesley

Jodie Hallows Photo

F

ollowers of the Racing Industry in W.A. would all have good words to say about the media personality Wes Cameron. For many years the likeable and lively Wes hosted a breakfast show on Racing Radio as well as being the front man on Sky Channel’s coverage of Gloucester Park Friday night meetings.

These days Wes is employed in the thoroughbred code at Perth Racing.

Well now a two year old colt by Sportswriter that was named after the media man Wes is creating some media headlines of his own.

Wesley, a handsome colt from the Bettors Delight mare El Jay Lombo is building an impressive resume for young Bunbury (WA) trainer Sarah Wall.

His first three starts all resulted in eye-catching wins and then on 29th April he was an all the way winner of the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Gloucester Park.

Perhaps the best run of his career to date was in the recent $100,000 The Pearl Final. He led but was attacked for much of the journey by another Sportswriter colt, which overraced for his reinsman. Maybe this used up just a little too much petrol in the Wesley fuel

tank and he was overpowered close to the line by Im Rockaria. However he lost not one admirer with his gutsy runners-up cheque.

His next and probably final target for the season will be the Group One Golden Slipper Stakes on 15th July, when he will clash with another high profile Sportswriter two year old Mitch Maguire – a recent arrival from the Mangos stable in N.Z. Wesley is raced by Sarah and her husband Chris and a group of family friends.

Sarah is a daughter of well-known Bunbury hobby trainer Terry Keenan, whilst her mum Kerry gained some notoriety in AFL circles a few years back with her cow bell.

Any AFL fan who watched the Freo Dockers play often enough and particularly admired their captain Peter Bell may recall that a cow bell rang out across Subiaco Oval every time that Peter Bell gained a possession – well the culprit was none other than the passionate Dockers fan Kerry Keenan.

To add to the story of Wesley and to give it a little Kiwi flavour, the regular reinsman on race nights is the former Invercargill resident Reon Tither.

We chatted with Wesley’s part owner and trainer Sarah Wall How did you get to own Wesley?

Chris (my husband) and myself purchased El Jay Lombo at one of the Lombo Standardbred Dispersal Sales. At the time she was carrying her first foal and that foal turned out to be Wesley. We transported the mare from Victoria to WA and the foal was born at Lisa Adam’s Lancefield Park property near our home town of Bunbury.

What attracted you to the mare?

Well first of all she was by Bettors Delight and that was a bloodline that we thought was desirable. Secondly, she was a descendant of one of Mick Lombardo’s best producing families – her grand dam was Decethree Lombo and her third dam was the brilliant Misty Maiden. There just weren’t any weak links in the pedigree at all.

Pearl – he just never got an easy quarter after leading and was brave in finishing a close second.

What has El Jay Lombo produced for you since Wesley?

We now have a yearling colt by American Ideal and should have had a full sister foal to Wesley. However she died shortly after foaling so the mare is now back in foal to Sportswriter again. We will book El Jay into Mach Three for this upcoming season. If her future foals are as easy to train as Wesley then we will be delighted.

What was Wesley like as a foal and young horse?

He was a very athletic boy from the start and Lisa said he was a good horse to do anything with whilst growing up. Brian Clemens in Bunbury broke him in and he said much the same – a perfect horse to do anything with.

How do you find him now in training?

I love him as he is so easy to train. He loves his work, he paces as good out of his hopples as he does when wearing them and you can drive him whichever way you want.

Previously I had only trained older horses and Wesley is my first younger one. If they are all like this then I’m looking forward to the next one.

What has been his best run to date?

Every one of his nine starts to date has been great – winning the Champagne Stakes was a great thrill.

However probably his best run was in the $100,000 The

Wesley as a foal

The SUNSHINE BEACH foals are impressing!

W

hile we wait with anticipation for the debut Southern Hemisphere crop of Sunshine Beach, our Canadian and American friends have been raving about their Sunshine Beach foals.

Judging by these photos, taken recently at Seelster Farms, we can see why!

All photos by Dave Landry

PEAK

1:56.7 - $325,742

Ganymede - Elegant Lady - Sugarcane Hanover

A GROUP ONE WINNER in both hemispheres!

A simply stunning looking stallion.

Aus: $2,500 (incl GST) | NZ: $2,500 (plus GST)

www.alabar.com.au

Trish Dunell Photo

A DREAM Made in Heaven

H

ow many racehorse owners in New Zealand of either code can match 14 Group 1 wins with potentially more on the way!

Phil and Margaret Creighton are proud to be part of a syndicate racing horses out of the all-conquering All Stars stable who have this remarkable record.

Poised to add to this tally is their latest star threeyear-old pacer Heaven Rocks, by Rock N Roll Heaven, which will take on the superstar Waikiki Beach in this year’s Breeders Crown final in what could be the match race of the season.

“It could be a clash of Bonecrusher versus Waverley Star proportions,” Phil said. “I reckon with the right trip our fella can give Waikiki Beach a real run for his money.”

“Heaven Rocks is a special type of pacer with an enormous stride and stamina and it will be a great contest between the two if they are close to each other with a lap to go.”

Phil first knew Heaven Rocks was something special when he saw him qualify.

“He gave the field 50m start in his trial but still ran past them up the straight to qualify easily. He soon followed this up by winning his first race in Invercargill in a track record time. I said to Mark (Purdon) at the time to put him in the NZ Derby but Mark didn’t feel he had the ringcraft at that stage.”

This proved to be a wise decision as Heaven Rocks put the next few months to good use recovering from an injury before returning to the track and putting in yet another big performance in winning the $45,000 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes in Invercargill in effortless fashion.

His next major challenge was the Harness Jewels in Cambridge and in one of the performances of the day Heaven Rocks won in brilliant style, pacing 1.52.5 and beating Phil and Margaret’s home-bred pride and joy Art Major son, Major Ben. “It was a huge thrill not only winning the Jewels again but having Major Ben run the quinella. We share in the ownership in Major Ben with our very close friends Ann and Graeme Mee, who do so much work with our horses preparing them for the sales, so it was a special day for all of us.”

racemare Mendelico, 17 wins; $188,243 being a $60,000 APG Sale purchase by Phil Kennard on behalf of the syndicate.

“Margaret and I have been lucky to be part of the syndicate organised by Phil and Glenys.

They are good people and when you have Mark Purdon running his eye over Phil’s choices you know you are on the right track to enjoy success. We also nearly won the two-year-old Jewels race with Ultimate Machete so we had quite a day of it.”

Phil and Margaret are now looking ahead to next year’s rising two-year-olds they part own, hoping for yet another top pacer, including their own richly home bred colt Hit The Sky (Mach Three-Princess Of Diamonds) which they part-own with Ann and Graeme Mee, and Major Lucky, an Art Major half brother to the outstanding juvenile More The Better.

GLENBROOK STUD ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY Phil and Margaret Creighton have been very successful breeders for many years at their boutique breeding farm, Glenbrook Stud, just west of Mosgiel in Otago. Glenbrook Stud first started around 30 years ago with the purchase of the filly and later successful broodmare Vivid Rainbow, through to today’s band of four premier broodmares Asabella, Bettor Move It (in foal to Art Major), Cartier and Princess Of Diamonds.

Their star mare is Asabella (which they co-own with Stu Gilland from Southland) which has been a commercial sensation. The daughter of In The Pocket and Bellisimo has produced four winners to date including the 2010 WA Golden Slipper winner Ohoka Bondy, Code Red (1.55.1h), Dancing Diamonds and Major Stride. However it has been in the sales ring that she has excelled, selling Bollinger for $200,000, Dancing Diamonds for $110,000 and Titanium for $170,000. Cartier is also a fine broodmare in her own right, being the dam of Major Ben and Uncle Ben 1:51, a classy Mach Three pacer. Cartier is a full sister to Phil’s top rated horse and multiple group winner Beefy T. Also her daughter Princess Of Diamonds, by Christian Cullen, is a young mare they have a lot of faith in.

“I am lucky having Margaret putting so much work and time into the young horses and also having Ann and Graeme Mee to call on. I am looking to breed Asabella to Bettor’s Delight and send both Cartier and Princess of Diamonds to Art Major in the coming breeding season,” Phil said. “They are currently the top two commercial stallions along with Mach Three.”

Phil and Margaret race Heaven Rocks with Phil and Glenys Kennard, Gavin Douglas and Kevin Riseley. He was bred by Benstud in Victoria, being from the very good 1.56.1

Heaven Rocks

From left, Phil Kennard, Kevin Riseley, Phil and Margaret Creighton, Glenys Kennard and Carol Riseley.

Trish Dunell Photo

Heaven Rocks is yet another standout pacer sired by Alabar’s Rock N Roll Heaven whose progeny have been having a great run in major stakes racing in recent months. Heaven Rocks gives the impression that with his obvious stamina and high speed he could become a major player in a future New Zealand Cup.

Fokus Harness Photography

This was the second quinella in a Jewels race for Phil and Margaret and their syndicate, the other being when the Art Major colt Follow The Stars beat home Kept Under Wraps at Ashburton.

Majestic

Dave Landry Photo

Son

TIME TO JOIN THE MARCH TO GLORY

T

he advance parties have done an outstanding job.

The main forces are now starting to gather and will shortly be marching into town en masse.

The advance parties are the early progeny of Majestic Son. The likes of: Glenferrie Typhoon (1:54.4, $263,736, Maori Mile Gr1) Illawong Helios (1:57.2, $207,782, Vic Trotters Derby Gr1) My Valerie (1:54.8, $132,655, Darrell Alexander Memorial Gr1) Im Stately ($248,653, Aust Breeders Crown Gr1, 2x Vicbred Finals Gr1) Illawong Armstrong (1:59.4, $119,900, Vicbred 2yo Final Gr1) King Denny (1:55.9, $258,794, NZ & Northern Trotting Derbies Gr1, 2 x NZ Jewels Gr1) One Over Da Moon (1:57.9, $294,313, NZ 2yo Jewels Gr1) Daenerys Targaryen (1:58.2, $143,723, Redwood Classic Gr1) Majestic Time (1:58.6, $105,823, NZ Trotting Oaks Gr3, 2nd NZ Trotting Derby Gr1) Prince Fearless (1:56.6, $147,354)

Great Beginnings Foresee Great Future Kicking off initially with limited frozen semen, Majestic Son produced seven foals in New Zealand in 2009. Remarkably, all seven have been winners including the hugely talented Group One winner, Glenferrie Typhoon.

Subsequently, Majestic Son stood in New Zealand for two seasons – crops that really saw him stamp his mark. He was the leading sire of Two and Three-Year-Old Trotters in both New Zealand and Australia.

After having had his shuttling career put on hold for three years, on the back of this success Majestic Son returned downunder in 2013 and has dominated the trotting broodmare market since.

While awaiting the reinforcement of these big crops to hit the racetrack, Majestic Son has kept his career ticking over very nicely – in 2015/16 siring the winners of over $1.1 million Australasia-wide and – incredibly - leading the 2015/16 Australian Trotting Sires Premiership.

The main forces are the 199 rising two-year-olds Majestic Son has about to hit the racetrack next season (136 in New Zealand and 63 in Australia).

We are surely not alone in enthusing over what the Majestic Son’s will achieve as the big numbers march into town and validate his wonderful early success.

To follow this up he has 172 rising yearlings (110 in New Zealand and 62 in Australia).

It should also be remembered that Majestic Son himself was a superstar on the racetrack. He won over $1.9 million and his titanic battles with the great Glidemaster as a three-year-old were the highlight of the North American racing season. He is also an excellent sire in North America with his daughter Charmed Life recently going over $1 million in earnings.

These are premiership winning numbers – particularly for a sire of Majestic Son’s class.

They are far and away bigger numbers than any other trotting sire.

We are often asked how Majestic Son is able to be available in New Zealand and Australia “in the flesh” while many of his peers are only available via frozen semen.

The answer is that Majestic Son was originally registered as a rig and, while he is no longer a rig, this precluded him from being eligible to send semen to a number of European countries. So while his contemporaries use the North American offseason to freeze semen for Europe, Majestic Son is free to travel to the Southern Hemisphere.

So Europe’s loss is New Zealand and Australia’s gain.

What’s more, seeing the huge future ahead of Majestic Son in the Southern Hemisphere we are pleased to say we have been able to secure a deal for him to remain in New Zealand for many years to come.

Meg Butterworth and Mark Purdon celebrate a King Denny victory

Majestic Son is now superbly positioned for a bright future. This season is the opportunity for breeders to position themselves to ride on the back of this great future and join the march to glory.

Ashlea Brennan Photo

Park Life

Mario di carlo Mario Di Carlo has been involved in both Harness Racing and the Thoroughbreds for a number of years and had a lot of great thrills. His biggest thrill however came this year when Park Life, a daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven which he bred, won the Group 1 $322,000 APG Final.

How did you become involved in Harness Racing?

I got involved through a close friend and have always loved the horses.

Breeder of the group 1 winner park life Interact?

I purchased Strawbs Interact off Brian Wastney in New Zealand, who said she was a lovely mare who would make a great broodmare prospect later on.

My first horse was Billy King who I purchased around 20 years ago now.

I looked at her as racing proposition and she won five races for me before unfortunately sustaining an early injury.

What is the best horse you have raced?

Melton Multimax would definitely be the best horse I have raced.

This made me decide to retire her to become a broodmare as she had great breeding lines as I discussed with Brian.

He won a lot of races for me in the mid 2000’s and over $120,000 in prizemoney.

You are also involved in the thoroughbreds; Could you tell us about your experiences in that industry?

Fantastic! I had a lovely horse named Picablu who went on to win many races for me.

He actually won his first start and won many races at Eagle Farm and Doomben. I loved the experience!

How and why did you come to purchase Strawbs

Strawbs Interact went to Rock N Roll Heaven for her first two breeding seasons, producing Wishitwasheaven and Park Life; Could you explain why you chose Rock N Roll Heaven for her?

Rock N Roll Heaven looked like an outstanding type and winning the Little Brown Jug made my decision easy.

I spoke with Belinda Richardson at Pepper Tree and she was lovely and really helpful.

After looking at the match ups I believed that Rock N Roll Heaven suited all three of my mares.

Do you remember what Park Life was like as a foal? Did she stand out?

Yes, she was a standout.

I remember speaking to the team at Burwood Stud where my mares are kept and they said she was the best of mine.

I remember when I went and saw her, she had real character. She wasn’t shy and she knew what she wanted and would go get it.

How many mares are you currently breeding from and will we see you expand this number in the future?

I currently have three broodmares – Strawbs Interact, Strawbs Posh Dream and Hot Stuff.

I am however looking at another one at the moment though.

I would actually like to get my own property at some stage so we can be around the horses more.

For those that have never experienced the thrill of watching a horse you bred win a Group One race could you describe it?

It was an unbelievable feeling as I have been breeding for such a short time. It is hard to describe but definitely great!

I was watching it in my lounge room and I was jumping for joy. I nearly hit the ceiling I was so excited!

I am hoping for many more big wins to come.

GRINFROMEARTOEAR

1:50.2 - $1,746,009

Artsplace - Smile Upon - Storm Damage

A Group One siring son of Artsplace. The sire of two $3 Million+ earners.

Aus: $3,300 (incl GST) | NZ: $3,000 (plus GST)

www.alabar.com.au

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From the Trainer's mouth

The new racing season starting in August spells serious action time for the progeny of Alabar’s new, exciting stallions Auckland Reactor and Betterthancheddar.

Reports coming in from trainers suggest the first crops from both are poised to have an impact as two-year-olds.

Jamie Gameson Jamie has probably broken in at least a dozen Auckland Reactor youngsters and is most impressed by what he has handled.

“I have found them all to be so easy going and they all want to please, making them a pleasure to break in. Another feature is their good gait, with most pacing straight away and with no hassles. It makes such a difference to have young horses working with you at this stage of their preparations. I guess we now have to wait to see if they can show speed like their dad.”

Sean McCaffrey Sean was the underbidder to Mark Purdon on the Alabar Syndicate Auckland Reactor Delicata colt Chase Auckland but after the initial disappointment at missing out on his first choice is more than happy with another Auckland Reactor he bought at the Christchurch Sales named Red Reactor.

“This colt has a very good attitude, being easy to get going as well as being good gaited. He has a bit of size about him but he could well race at two. He has been a perfect horse to train and is always with you.”

Stephen Boyd Stephen Boyd and his father John were full of praise for how the filly Tempest Bromac (Auckland Reactor Tasmcmanian) broke in and paced along.

“I am also training Aha Reactor from Tony Parker’s Bettors Delight mare Dreamy Delight and like Red Reactor he also has that bit of size about him and has been excellent to work with.”

“I really like the filly and can’t find fault with her. She was most impressive, being a real natural with excellent gait and attitude. She has all the makings of a two-year-old and was one of the most impressive yearlings we broke in.”

Nathan Williamson Tempest Bromac (Auckland Reactor - Tasmcmanian) is being trained for the Alabar Racing Syndicate by Nathan Williamson in Southland who is very impressed with her progress.

Stephen also broke in Revolver, an Auckland Reactor Penny Lane colt which he also rates very highly.

Andrew Stuart Andrew has been working on his Auckland Reactor yearling sales’ purchase It’s A Good Thing (from Tirol’s Sallance).

“He broke in really well, having both very good gait and manners. He is all you want with a yearling and I can’t really fault him. He has the makings of being a late twoyear-old.” Andrew thought highly enough of the colt that he bought his three quarter brother from Alabar’s weanling draft at the recent Karaka mixed sale.

“She took to it straight away without any problems. She is well on course to being a two-year-old, being such a lovely pacer, and gives you a really nice feel in the cart.”

Nathan said if she continues to make such good progress she could well be a candidate for early feature races.

Adrienne Matthews Adrienne has recently broken in two promising Betterthancheddar youngsters. One was the colt Chesdale

John Dickie John has a share with prominent Southland breeder and owner Ben Calder in the Betterthancheddar youngster Waytogo Bruno, a half-brother to millionaire pacer Highview Tommy.

“He is now in his second prep and is beautifully gaited and has developed into a real powerhouse. There is something you have got to like about him and I am pretty sure he will make a two-year-old.”

Kid from Chevyover and the other Edamfast, from the Holmes Hanover mare Luck Be A Lady.

“The Chevyover colt is a very nippy little guy who really loves his work. He broke in well and is also good gaited.

He could well make a two-year-old. I like him.”

“Edamfast is a different type, being a bigger stronger type, and could take a little longer to mature. He is a brilliant colour, similar to his dad.”

A keen breeder, Adrienne bred to Peak with her trotting mare and also sent a mare to her favourite looking stallion at Alabar, Sunshine Beach. “He is like a thoroughbred to look at and here’s hoping he can leave horses just like himself.”

Tony Herlihy Tony has worked with three Betterthancheddar yearlings.

One is the $50K yearling sales’ purchase Harmony Blue, a filly whose dam Gotta Go Harmony was winner of the Harness Jewels and a full sister to Gotta Go Cullect.

“She is developing into a lovely type and bowled round really nicely. She has a bit of length to her and has that bit of ‘get up and go’ about her. She could well make a two-year-old.”

Tony’s other two are geldings from Elysium who is “a big yearling but a beautiful mover” and another from Alesandra Ambrosio.

“He is a lovely big horse who goes along really well. He has a bit of breeding, tracing back to the good producing mare Bee Gee’s Dream.”

Mark Jones Mark Jones is seldom without a top youngster in his stable and it looks like he has another one set to feature in the new season’s juvenile racing.

Maddie Bromac, a filly by Auckland Reactor from the Falcon Seelster mare Maravu Hayley, was bought at the yearling sales and has Mark excited about her future.

Tempest Bromac

“She broke in beautifully, is very intelligent, has excellent gait and was the pick of all the yearlings I initially broke in. She should make a two-year-old and I couldn’t be happier with her.”

Chase Auckland with Duane Marfisi at All Stars Brent Mangos “We bought the Auckland Reactor colt out of Bailey’s Delight at Christchurch. He’s a really nice colt. He’s dark in colour and very strongly built. He’s lovely gaited and I do really like him. We’re planning on taking him to the Yearling Parade at Pukekohe later in the month – he’ll definitely look the part.”

Duane Marfisi The All Stars foreman Duane Marfisi is a fan of the Auckland Reactor - Delicata colt Chase Auckland.

“I like this fella. He is a lovely pacer and is turning into a big strong colt with a nice attitude,” Duane said.

Duane was also impressed with the colt’s breeding, with the “Falcon’ blood close up, and also that his ‘uncle’ the former All Stars-trained Hug The Wind had recently been winning at Alexandra Park.

Ringside, by Auckland Reactor from Gemside, and also at All Stars, is a compact and strongly built type of colt that is still moulding up. He looks to enjoy his work out on the track. Staff at All Stars all seem to like him, including his driver Tim Williams. “He might look a small horse but doesn’t feel like one out on the track. He goes along nicely,” Tim said.

Both colts are part of the Alabar Racing Syndicate team of four horses.

Willshewin is from the race winning In The Pocket mare Willowbrook, from a Soky’s Atom mare, giving her a double up of Direct Scooter and Soky’s Atom blood.

Ashleigh Herbertson “I have educated two Betterthancheddars (Trebla Trebla Filly & Infinite Grace Colt) and I am more than happy with them. Both are lovely pacers. They are very well mannered and want to do what you want them to. I can’t fault them.”

Gary Graham “My Betterthancheddar x Whata Impact yearling filly is a great looker with excellent conformation. She broke in well and is a natural clean going pacer, with all the attributes to race as a 2yo.”

MARK SMOLENSKI COMMENTS ON HIS MAJESTIC SON YEARLINGS When you break in a trotting filly which is a half-sister to such standouts as Pocaro (13 wins), Springbank Sam (20 wins) and full sister to the stakes-winning filly Daenerys Targaryen, you would expect something pretty special and that is what Mark has found with the Majestic Son filly Dance With Dragons.

“She is a quality filly with a good physique to match. I was very impressed with how she trotted and she looks to have a lot of early potential.”

Mark also had a lot of time for One Over Da Skye, a full sister to the outstanding Harness Jewel’s winner One Over Da Moon. Their dam One Over Kenny won over $1 million.

Paul Kerr When you hear positive feedback about youngsters in training from one of New Zealand’s leading juvenile trainers you need to sit up and take notice. Among his young team are the Auckland Reactor fillies Willshewin and Somebeach N Auckland.

“She is also a lovely filly, well gaited, and has a big future. I like her a lot.”

“I am rapt with Willshewin. She is strong and good sized and broke in really well. She is also a beautiful pacer and I am confident she could make a two-year-old. Somebeach N Auckland is a leggier type and looks like Auckland Reactor. I like her Beach Towel blood and she is also a lovely pacer.”

“He is a striking big framed horse, good gaited and quite a natural trotter with the all round game. He is another who could possibly make a two-year-old. All three Majestic Sons are impressive horses who can all run, and with very bright futures. Patience has been the key when breaking them in.”

Betterthancheddar - Trebla Trebla filly

Betterthancheddar - Whata Impact filly

Completing the Majestic Son trotters which impressed was Aldebaran Willo (from the family of Susan and Tuhimata Glass).

Trish Dunell Photo

Smolda

I

n 2015/16 Smolda won three Group Ones (the Ballarat Cup, the Hunter Cup and the Bohemia Crystal) and was named equal Grand Circuit Champion.

He is the horse that everyone dreams about breeding, so we decided to ask his breeder, Paul Blackshaw, about him and what it is like following his career.

Smolda is out of the stakes winning Safely Kept mare Under The Mattress, could you take us through her race career and what type of mare she is?

Under The Mattress is a big powerfully built mare. She has a big bum and tended to probably carry a bit too much weight when she raced.

We trained her ourselves, and I realized early on that she was probably too good for my driving skills and she was handled by Daryl Douglas for most of her career. I was lucky enough, however, to win on her at Wagga one memorable day.

Like Smolda, she was immature early and didn’t race until she was three. While we thought she had some ability it only shone when she started to race. At her first start she ran second and ran her last quarter in 27.7 –unheard of at the old Benalla track. Ultimately she won 17 races, with two at Moonee Valley and one at Harold Park.

One of her best performances was to run second in the Ladyship Cup at Moonee Valley. She was best when able to lead and had really high gate speed. Unfortunately she lacked some of Smolda’s real toughness. While she was a rung below the top mares, she was the best horse we have raced and gave us a lot of thrills.

What was behind your choice of Courage Under Fire for Under The Mattress?

At the time Courage was having moderate success, and there were concerns about the size of his progeny. This actually attracted me to him, as the mare was quite big

PAUL BLACKSHAW BREEDER OF GRAND CIRCUIT CHAMPION SMOLDA and could do with a bit of downsizing. I think that year he only attracted a small number of mares.

The racing performance of Courage was big in my mind and I was lucky enough to see him race in the flesh a few times – most memorably when he won the 4YO cup at Shepparton. I think he was one of the best young horses we have seen – as well as having a great aura.

Could you describe what type of foal Smolda was (both type and temperament) and what your expectations were heading to the yearling sale with him?

Smolda was a really good type that despite the size concerns was really well grown, but not too big, and nicely proportioned. He had a good, friendly manner and was always easy to handle. Peter Romero, at Chiltern, prepared him for the sale and put plenty of time and effort into him.

We hadn’t sold many at the sales before and were nervous and unsure of what his value was but we thought we would bring him home if he didn’t make at least $20,000.

Obviously we were blown away by his final price of $56,000 but I think that reflected his type as much as anything.

What is it like to watch Smolda race knowing that you bred him?

I get nearly as excited watching Smolda race as I do with ones we still own. Obviously having an association with a horse in group races is different to a maiden at Wangaratta.

obviously some regrets that we sold him, and while I am sure we couldn’t have done as good a job as Mark Purdon training him, I reckon we could have had some fun.

What do you believe is his biggest achievement to date?

Two races stick out in my mind. The first was the three year old Jewels in New Zealand, when he went in under a cloud but just blew his opposition away with a jaw dropping display of sustained speed. I really couldn’t believe the run he put in that day.

Naturally the other highlight was the Hunter Cup. We were lucky enough to be there that night and it was a great win. He looked like a Hunter Cup winner almost from the day he started racing and it finally proved to be.

How many mares are you currently breeding from?

This year we bred from Under the Mattress and two of her daughters, Life Savings and Grandma Gertie.

Unfortunately another of Smolda’s sisters, Smouldering Desire, has been retired due to injury and we will also breed from her this year.

We only like to breed from a couple of mares each year so the two unproven mares will probably get a rest. We have a sister to Under The Mattress, Richly Deserved, who is still racing and we will also breed from her when her racing career is over.

Who is Under The Mattress in foal to currently?

The two younger mares are in foal to Betterthancheddar and Auckland Reactor. After missing last year, Under the Mattress is back in foal to Courage. Hopefully we get another little Smolda – and we plan to keep this one.

The build up is pretty stressful, but he is certainly in good hands.

We haven’t made a decision on a stallion for the next year but will consider some of the exciting young stallions like Roll With Joe and Rock n Roll Heaven.

We have been lucky to watch him in person a few times, which is great. I feel a bit like a proud dad! There are

Courage Under Fire will stand at Alabar Australia for an unchanged fee of $5,500 (incl GST).

Race Images Photo

Keep an eye out for the debut North American crop of

A ROCKNROLL DANCE!

A

Rocknroll Dance retired at the end of 2013 to Diamond Creek Farm with impeccable credentials.

He was the first horse to pace two sub 1:50 miles as two year old, he won the Meadowlands Pace as a three year old and became the first horse ever to pace three consecutive sub 1:48 miles as a four year old.

These credentials ensured he served a book of high quality mares from many of the best breeders in North America.

The resultant progeny of these matings are now yearlings and they will hit sale rings in a few months. Keep an eye out for them!

The Art Major yearlings sold through the roof at both the PGG Wrightson Australasian Classic and NZ Premier Yearling Sales.

In fact his yearlings sold for a combined average of $60,827 - second only to Somebeachsomewhere for stallions with 5 or more entries.

Australasian Classic Yearling Sale Sire

Sold

Average

Somebeachsomewhere

5

$93,301

ART MAJOR

15

$70,000

Bettor’s Delight

32

$54,218

Rocknroll Hanover

8

$41,937

Mach Three

17

$35,588

* Stallions with 5 or more sold.

A Rocknroll Dance’s debut crop include: From such racemares as: Loyal Opposition 1:48.8 - $2,804,051 Armbro Amoretto 1:50.2 - $1,604,459 See You At Peelers 1:49.4 - $1,566,900 Tidewaterdragonfly 1:49.8 - $1,079,213 Artbitration 1:52 - $792,465 Chotat Milk 1:51 - $612,984 Born Lucky 1:50.6 - $538,551 Right Right 1:52.8 - $514,520 Dream A While 1:50.8 - $453,338 Caviart Sydney 1:52.2 - $448,711 So Artsi 1:53.2 - $389,394

Art Major Tops 2016 NZ Yearling Sale Averages

Plus half brothers or sisters to: Rocklamation 1:48.6 - $2,281,795 If I Can Dream 1:49.8 - $2,038,153 Pure Country 1:49.4 - $1,338,953 Western Terror 1:48.6 - $1,289,422 Domethatagain 1:48 - $1,102,950 Stylish Artist 1:51 - $940,022 Vertical Horizon 1:49.6 - $860,588 All Speed Hanover 1:49.8 - $830,738 Piece Of The Rock 1:49.8 - $673,790 Sandbetweenurtoes 1:49.2 - $624,127 Check Six 1:50.6 - $490,988

NZ Premier Yearling Sale Sire

Sold

Average

ART MAJOR

20

$53,947

Somebeachsomewhere

8

$46,250

Bettor’s Delight

46

$44,717

Christian Cullen

12

$38,708

Mach Three

24

$36,645

* Stallions with 5 or more sold.

SMILING SHARD TO MEDOWIE LODGE Smiling Shard will be relocating to Darren Reay’s Medowie Lodge for the 2016/17 stud season.

Stuart McCormick Photo

After standing his first three stud seasons at Alabar Australia, Smiling Shard will be shifting to take advantage of the NSW Breeders Challenge and all the associated breeding incentives offered by Harness Racing NSW for NSW based stallions.

A millionaire and multiple Group One winner, Smiling Shard’s debut crop of foals arrived last season and on the whole they strong muscular and correct types - generally in the image of himself!

Smiling Shard will stand for an unchanged service fee of $2,200. All bookings to Darren Reay - 0428 817 199.

ALTA CHRISTIANO

1:54.2 - $309,163

Christian Cullen - Right The Time - Fake Left

A Group One winning son of Christian Cullen.

Producing outstanding foals!

Aus: $2,750 (incl GST) | NZ: $2,750 (plus GST)

www.alabar.com.au

Dave Landry Photo

HE’S WATCHING

2016/2017 ROSTER A Rocknroll Dance Alta Christiano Amore Stride Art Major Artiscape (frozen) Auckland Reactor Betterthancheddar

Courage Under Fire Elsu Grinfromeartoear He’s Watching Mach Three Majestic Son Peak

ALABAR AUSTRALIA PO Box 129, Tongala, Victoria, Australia, 3621 Tel: (03) 5859 2201 Fax: (03) 5859 2206 brett@alabar.com.au

Rock N Roll Heaven Roll With Joe Shadow Play Sportswriter Sunshine Beach

ALABAR NEW ZEALAND 480 Seagrove Road, RD4, Pukekohe, 2679, New Zealand Tel: (09) 232 1800 Fax: (09) 232 1799 alabar@alabar.co.nz