Widden Stud has been a breeding farm since 1867 and has been in the same family – the Thompsons – for seven generations. They have stood Australian champion sires Lochiel, Grafton, Malster, Bletchingly, Vain, and Marscay. Despite its proud history, however, the focus is firmly on the future, with the...
by
Alan Porter
on
05-18-2011
One of the newest stallion farms on the Australian scene, Patinack has quickly gathered an impressive roster of stallions, which for the 2011 breeding season will feature newly-retired classic winers Lope de Vega and Monaco Consul. Lope de Vega (IRE) ( TrueNicks ) is a son of Shamardal, a horse who was...
by
Alan Porter
on
05-16-2011
One of the strongest stallion rosters, both in terms of numbers and quality, is that which stands under the Coolmore banner. Leading the team is Encosta de Lago (AUS) ( TrueNicks , SRO ). The group I-winning son of Sadler’s Wells’ brother Fairy King has already earned honors as a champion sire. A winner...
by
Alan Porter
on
05-12-2011
It hasn’t taken long for champion 3-year-old and sprinter Fastnet Rock to emerge as one of Danehill’s most exciting sons at stud. With his third crop only 2-year-olds of 2010-2011, he has already been represented by 15 stakes winners, 11 of those graded, among them the group I scorers Wanted, Irish Lights...
by
Alan Porter
on
04-27-2011
Ilala Stud, near Scone in Australia's Hunter Valley, has two talented runners that are an outcross for the sire lines currently dominating the Australian breeding scene. The tough chestnut Honor in War ( TrueNicks ) won the Turf Classic (gr. I) over nine furlongs (1800m), Arlington Handicap (gr. III...
by
Alan Porter
on
04-27-2011
Australia is home to a branch of the Nearco line not found elsewhere in the world, that of Showdown. By Nearco’s son Infatuation—a top-class racehorse (he won the Dewhurst Stakes and Royal Lodge Stakes at 2, and the Greenham Stakes and Sandown Classic Trial at 3) but disappointing sire—Showdown was a...
by
Alan Porter 1
on
04-19-2011
One of the hottest stallion rosters in New Zealand is that of Waikato Stud, and now courtesy of Waikato, breeders will be able to obtain complimentary TrueNicks reports for their mares with all eight Waikato Stud stallions. That octet includes two of New Zealand’s best, in O’Reilly and Pins. By Champion...
by
Alan Porter 1
on
04-13-2011
Chinese Dragon (Stravinsky–Fabulous Fairy, by Alydar) Holding court at Goodwood Stud in Palmerston North, New Zealand, is the exciting young sire Chinese Dragon ( TrueNicks ). Foaled in the U.S., Chinese Dragon was purchased by Coolmore, and as a 2-year-old broke his maiden over six furlongs in the colours...
by
Alan Porter 1
on
04-07-2011
In the near 20 years since its inception, Westbury Stud has risen to a place of prominence among New Zealand’s Thoroughbred nurseries. At its Karaka property, it stands seven stallions, drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds. Postponed ( TrueNicks ) is a U.S. graded stakes winner by Summer Squall...
by
Alan Porter 1
on
04-02-2011
The latest stallion to join the powerful line-up at Haunui Farm in New Zealand is the record-breaking group II-winning juvenile Showcasing (GB) ( TrueNicks ). Bred by Juddmonte, Showcasing was one of the fastest 2-year-olds of his crop. An impressive maiden winner on his second outing, Showcasing followed...
by
Byron Rogers
on
03-25-2011