Segenhoe Stud

by Nathan Exelby

The Fastnet Rock colt Merchant Navy was bred by Queensland based Chris and Jane Barham and was reared on the lush paddocks of Segenhoe.

The bridesmaid who turned into a bride with her win in the Group 1 Flight Stakes, Oohood, also has Segenhoe links, as she was co-reared at both Segenhoe and Coolmore.

Talented race mares and fillies Winter Bride, Granny Red Shoes, Pretty In Pink and Miss Admiration have all carried the Segenhoe Stud colours with distinction in recent times, while recent Qld Derby hero Eagle Way is another Gr.1 winner off the farm adding to a long history of success on that front.

But as good as the Group 1 feats (home and abroad) of Segenhoe-owned and raised horses have been, it’s the theme of consistency that is most important, according to Segenhoe manager Peter O’Brien.

“The biggest thing and the one we are most proud of is the consistency of the stock we have reared. We are over 90 per cent winners to horses reared and we have effectively only been selling yearlings since 2014,” O’Brien noted.

“The farm here is particularly special. The new yearling farm with all the undulating paddocks, we are seeing the benefits of that now.”

O’Brien’s view is clearly shared by buyers.

Of farms with six or more sold at the 2018 Magic Millions, Segenhoe was second, with all 19 horses offered selling at an average of $409,000.

Segenhoe’s yearling graduates have been quick out of the blocks in the new season.

SEGENHOE STUD HAS ENJOYED A TYPICALLY GLITTERING PAST 12 MONTHS, WITH THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN BEING MERCHANT NAVY’S ROYAL ASCOT SUCCESS.

Catch Me and Anaheed are strong chances for the 2019 Golden Slipper after showing early brilliance in Sydney.

From a Magic Millions perspective, O’Brien is hopeful of having multiple runners in this year’s $2M 2YO Classic, with Gimcrack Stakes runner-up Diddles an early candidate.

“It’s a pipe dream, but we could easily have, of the 19 horses we sold on the Gold Coast last year, up to four runners,” O’Brien said. “For instance, while we were doing this interview Bella Rosa (Snitzel-Swiss Rose by Thorn Park), who was a cracking yearling we sold at 2018 Magic Millions, scored a brilliant first up win in the first race on Melbourne Cup day, the Gr.3 Bumble S, making her a very valuable filly.”

Other candidates include the Rubick youngster Jail Break, along with the Fastnet Rock-A Million Tears colt in the stable of Bjorn Baker.

California Boxer is another highly regarded Magic Millions graduate, but he will be saved for the Sydney autumn after co-trainer Peter Snowden recommended a spell following a late-October trial.

With last year’s graduates already up and about, O’Brien is bullish about the 22 horses heading to the Gold Coast this January.

“This group of horses, dare I say it, are better than last year’s,” he said. “This is the best draft of individuals I have taken to any sale, anywhere.”

Of the colts, standouts would be the More Than Ready-Charmed Honour (1/2 to Enbihaar) bred by Rob Crabtree. He’s an Adonis.

“The Swiss Rose colt is the best Medaglia (D’Oro) I have ever seen. Walks like a dream for such a powerful animal.

“There’s a Snitzel half-brother to Oohood, who is a real sharp two-year-old type with a terrific action. Similarly, there’s another sharp Snitzel colt from Sempre Libera who is a daughter of Slipper winner Merlene .

“The standout horse of the draft will be I Am Invincible-Hurtle Myrtle colt. He reminds me so much of the Electric Dreams colt we sold last year, which made $1.9million.”

Of the fillies, O’Brien noted “three particularly nice Sebrings”, the standout being the filly from Dissident’s half-sister Diana’s Star.

“There’s a beautiful, sharp Hinchinbrook filly out of Group 3 winning Koonoomoo, ready made for the race.

“In summarising the draft, hand on heart it’s the first draft I’ve taken to a sale where I would happily own any of them.”

What can buyers expect from your 2019 Magic Millions draft? Racehorses, not paper tigers.

What has been your biggest near miss in the Magic Million race series? Not getting a ticket to the Dome this year.

Which particular yearling in recent years gave you the most pleasant surprise with the sale price and what did you put it down to afterwards?

It would be Jailbreak, the Rubick we sold this year. I loved the horse, but he was by a first season sire. He was such a good looking horse, we went to the sale thinking we might get $150,000 for him, he made $470,000. I love it when you have faith in a type rather than a pedigree and you go to a sale and others think the same.

What’s your hidden talent? Violin.

Really? No.

Who was the biggest influence in your life? John Magnier. He recognised something in me that I didn’t and nurtured it

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Always focus on attention to detail.

107 Snitzel (AUS) Sempre Libera (AUS)

111 Lonhro (AUS) Sensibility (AUS)

189 So You Think (NZ) Sun Song (AUS)

200 Medaglia d’Oro (USA) - Swiss Rose (NZ)

254 Exceed and Excel (AUS) - Unearthly (NZ)

288 Snitzel (AUS) - Whistling Dixie (NZ)

351 Vancouver (AUS) - Angel Bee (NZ)

365 Sebring (AUS) - Apprise (AUS)

395 Snitzel (AUS) - Bella Sunday (AUS)

417 Redoute’s Choice (AUS) - Breakfast in Bed (AUS)

451 More Than Ready (USA) - Charm’s Honour (AUS)

521 Sebring (AUS) - Diana’s Star (AUS)

564 Pierro (AUS) - Faith Hill (AUS)

583 Pierro (AUS) - Flokkati (AUS)

665 I Am Invincible (AUS) - Hurtle Myrtle (AUS)

688 Vancouver (AUS) - Irish Dream (AUS)

720 Hinchinbrook (AUS) - Koonoomoo (AUS)

759 Spill the Beans (AUS) - Love of Liberty (AUS)

781 Choisir (AUS) - Malpara (AUS)

799 I Am Invincible (AUS) - Mimi Lebrock (AUS)

810 Sebring (AUS) - Miss Foxwood (AUS)

887 Dissident (AUS) - Our Songbird (AUS)

www.segenhoegroup.com.au | 02 6543 9777 | Peter O’Brien: 0411 852 149 | Aberdeen, NSW