Greg Bennett

The surf breaks of Sydney’s northern beaches are a world away from the farming country at Walcha, but Greg Bennett made the transition in his early teens and soon became involved in the world of horses and pony clubs before graduating to became one of Australia’s most respected horse breakers. Now a highly successful trainer…

ByGraeme KellyFebruary 22, 20180Comments

Bluebloods Pedigree Analysis

Tavago (NZ)

New Zealand-bred and trained gelding Tavago sprang something of a surprise in scoring an easy win in the $2m 2016 Australian Derby-Gr.1 (2400m) at Randwick. The son of Tavistock (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE)) relished the soft conditions on the day to defeat last spring’s VRC Crown Oaks winner Jameka (Myboycharlie (IRE)). In third spot was Tally (Street…

ByLes YoungFebruary 22, 20180Comments

The Missing Years 1935-1936

Only those with an in-form crystal ball could possibly have foreseen the 1936 Cups double of Northwind and Wotan, which provided the ultimate skinner for doubles bookmakers of the day when the pair came home at odds of 66/1 and 100/1 respectively. Certainly no one, clairvoyant or otherwise, has come forward in the 80 years…

ByJohn HutchinsonFebruary 22, 20180Comments

Bluebloods Pedigree Analysis

When Is The Right Time to Judge a Stallion?

Caption: Choisir (Danehill Dancer (IRE)-Great Selection by Lunchtime (GB)) One of the main topics of conversation at Inglis Easter 2016 was about the second season sires. While vendors with yearlings to sell have a good reason for asking buyers to be cautious in their judgement, buyers want to see fast results for the big prices they…

ByRenee GeelenFebruary 13, 20180Comments

Bluebloods Pedigree Analysis

Nyquist’s Derby Highlights His Exceptional Sire

The spring classics in the US and in Europe have provided some fascinating results. This column examines the pedigrees of the winners, many of great interest to breeders in Australasia thanks to the sire shuttle. Kentucky Derby GOING into the Kentucky Derby-Gr.1, there was not much doubt that undefeated Nyquist the previous year’s champion two year-old was…

ByAlan PorterFebruary 12, 20180Comments

Bluebloods Pedigree Analysis

Foal-Sharing, the Reverse Shuttle and Sires to Watch

Caption: Street Cry (IRE) (Machiavellian-Helen Street by Troy) One of the major tasks for stud managers is to attract the right mares and clients for young, first-season stallions. To fill a young sire’s book requires persistence, salesmanship and a strategy to attract mares with specific bloodlines and hopefully mares with above average performance. Everyone knows how important…

ByKen McLeanFebruary 9, 20180Comments

Bluebloods Family Matters

Sadler’s Line Provides Gr.1 Double for Darley Sires

Caption: Astern (Medaglia d’Oro (USA)-Essaouira by Exceed and Excel). September 10 2016 proved a red-letter day for Darley and Sheikh Mohammed’s Sadler’s Wells line sires Medaglia d’Oro (USA) and Teofilo (IRE) with Gr.1 wins from Astern in the Golden Rose and Palentino in the Makybe Diva Stakes. Both sires are on the roster at Kelvinside, Aberdeen,…

ByDavid BayJanuary 30, 20180Comments

Bluebloods Family Matters

Manhattan Rain: Joins The Blue Gum Farm Roster

Caption: She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain-Courgette by Charge Forward) Fresh from getting his first Gr.1 winner in Whisky Baron and as the sire of the current Golden Slipper favourite She Will Reign, the Gr.1 winner and Cox Plate runner-up Manhattan Rain has relocated to Victoria for the new breeding season. The $1.3m earner is standing at…

ByDavid BayDecember 20, 20170Comments

Bluebloods Family Matters

New homes for established sires

Caption: Real Saga (Tale of the Cat (USA)-Windy Kate by Air Express (IRE)) Quite a few established sires have new homes for the 2017 season including Myboycharlie, Duporth, Husson and Real Saga. The latter has moved following the decision by Glenlogan Park management not to stand stallions in future, although the stud’s grand old men Show…

ByDavid BayDecember 13, 20170Comments

Bluebloods Family Matters

Ilovethiscity takes Showdown line to new generation

A DOUBLE at Geelong on July 4 and a Doomben winner on July 8 have helped put the spotlight on Randwick Guineas-Gr.1 winner Ilovethiscity (Magic Albert-Kensington Rose (NZ) by Kenfair) who retired to Larneuk Stud in 2012. The young stallion has had 12 winners of 21 races and $835,762 this season (early July), including stakes…

ByDavid BayOctober 17, 20170Comments

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