French Fern - (Lope de Vega (IRE)-La Famelia by Strategic)
There appears to be a “curse” on a horse farm along the Goulburn River 10 minutes drive away from the village of Sandy Hollow in west Hunter Valley. This has been suggested by two of its owners going to the wall financially when they may have…
The rewards can be great for breeders if they can spot in advance sires who may become successful broodmare sires. Obviously daughters of the leading sires of winners, particularly the best performed, are the ones most likely to succeed as maternal grandsires but they can be very expensive to buy.
Breeders with limited resources can sometimes…
Photo: Magpie (GB) (Dark Ronald-Popinjay by St Frusquin)
There are many theories that attempt to select the next great broodmare sire. One is that stallions who leave a high number of superior race fillies will in turn become good broodmare sires and as far as theories go, this one appears logical.
Statistics show good race fillies, as…
THE thoroughbred industry can be very tough on participants. In fact high-flying entrepreneur Robert Holmes a’Court, who owned numerous notables including 1984 Melbourne Cup winner Black Night, once said, “If you survive in racing you will survive in anything.”
Yet, quite remarkably, Boomer Bloodstock, operated by Craig Rounsefell with the support of his American-born wife McCall,…
THE attitude towards female jockeys has changed rapidly in the past decade, as riders like classic-winning Clare Lindop set the pace by steering home Gr.1 winners and leading premierships. Now, as her riding career may be winding down, Clare reflects on her start in the industry and on some of the highs and lows of…
Photo: The Quarterback (Street Boss (USA)-Soorena by Encosta de Lago)
The Quarterback, who provided his sire Street Boss (USA) with his first Australian Gr.1 winner with his success in the $1.25m Newmarket Handicap down the straight 1200m at Flemington, hails from a pretty illustrious family. He is yet another star in the Dark Jewel firmament, that…
Caption: Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Makfi (GB)-Bislieri by Encosta de Lago (AUS))
While New Zealander Lib Petagna enjoyed a special day with victories by Sofia Rosa (NZ) (Oaks) and Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Queen Elizabeth Stakes) at Randwick on April 9, the Australian Oaks-Gr.1 winner brought back memories of former Pokey Hill Stud owner, the late Pam Rose.…
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…
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…
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…