Breeders dig deep for NSW farmers in drought

While huge interest was taken viewing the new and proven commercial sires on offer stallion parade participants dug into their pockets with donations for Rural Aid’s Buy A Bale campaign for NSW’s farmers, its representative truck being displayed at several studs and properties.     

Caravaggio, Churchill and Merchant Navy may have been the new boys at Coolmore Stud Jerrys Plains, but prominently they donated three nominations to their prized stallions for the cause. A total of $154,000 was raised to the Buy A Bale via Coolmore’s Pierro ($88,000, bought by Alice Cameron), Rubick ($19,800, to Robrick Lodge) and So You Think ($46,200, Seymour Bloodstock). 

Fifteen stallions were paraded at Coolmore, one of which included the retired 25-year-old champion sire Encosta de Lago, sire of Rubick whose first yearlings proved popular at this year’s major sales. 

Godolphin, Aberdeen caps of Darley stallions sold fast with all monies - plus it being matched by the property, went to Buy A Bale.  

Supported by the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association, all properties participated in some way to the Buy A Bale campaign, with the influx of Hunter Valley visitors also adding to the coffers of local businesses. 

While some of Godolphin sires including Lonhro, Exceed And Excel, Denman, Albrecht, Dawn Approach, Epaulette and Shooting To Win were shown in relax mode around the stallion yards, five other horses pranced about the parade area. 

These were young sires Exosphere, Astern, Kermadec, Territories and new Ifraaj horse Ribchester. 

Many visitors ended their day at Gundy district property Kitchwin Hills.  

Situated amongst rolling hills and massive ancient gum trees, Kitchwin Hills is home to reliable and successful sire Dane Shadow, and second seasoner Sooboog, a magnificent looker and Group winning son of Snitzel. 

The Mitchell family owned property Yarraman Park showed off I Am Invincible and his Group 1 winning son Hellbent.  It is a renowned late Friday afternoon stop-in for visitors as following its parade is champagne, red wine and much chin-wagging. 

The location of Widden Stud in the Widden Valley involves a longer expedition, however worth every kilometre’s drive.  While Sebring speedster Supido was its new recruit, his carrot loving sire Sebring, along with Outreach, Shamus Award, Stratum Star, Star Witness, Nicconi, Your Song and last season’s champion Australian first crop sire Zoustar will paraded beautifully. 

The NSW division of the newly formed Aquis Farm at Murrurundi had proven sires Al Maher and US bred Dream Ahead, and young horses Divine Prophet, Invader and Spieth parade.  

A first seasoner Spieth was last week joined by another new boy, Jukebox. 

While Vinery Stud is renowned for its breakfast, interest also was on champion sire More Than Ready, All Too Hard and his sire Casino Prince, Headwater, Pluck, Star Turn and his first foals. 

Press Statement is looking brilliant and ready to take the place of his recently deceased sire Hinchinbrook. 

The new horse at nearby Arrowfield stud is Pariah, son of their champion sire Redoute’s Choice.  He stands alongside his top sons Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt, who paraded with newer stallions Dundeel, Olympic Glory, Shalaa, and Japanese breds Real Impact, Mikki Isle and Maurice. 

A huge crowd gazed upon the 14 stallions paraded at Newgate Farm, Aberdeen.  These were Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, also Sizzling, Wandjina, Eurozone, Criterion, Dissident, Foxwedge, Flying Artie, Deep Field, Extreme Choice, Super One, Winning Rupert, and new horses Russian Revolution and Menari.