Stud News - January 2012
We have had an incredible season - no irrigation yet - no nasty weather and lots of feed.
The foals are doing well and the mares have been cycling well.
We have had the unusual occurrence of an extremely high percentage of colts born both ours and our clients.
Saperavi has thrown his usual high quality types and Minstrel Court has got an impressive array of mainly bays this year with lovely white markings. Last season we got chestnuts with big white faces!
Lots of breeders in New Zealand don’t seem to realise what a world class sire Danehill Dancer has been but this is being brought home with the stunning performance of ATOMIC FORCE winning the RAILWAYat Ellerslie on New Years Day and his sale topping son IRISH REBEL favourite for the Eclipse stakes 2 year old just going down to his stablemate the same day.
He leaves precocious types that handle most conditions and are easy to train .
The other son of Danehill Dancer standing in NZ - Mastercraftsman standing at Windsor Park Stud stands at
$22,500 and has been extremely well received.
Minstrel himself was extremely impressive at 2 winning from 1000 metres and went on at 3 to Group 1 place at 1600m.
Saperavi is a half brother to DARCI BRAHMA & BURGUNDY and both have been in the news lately Darci through the deeds of his progeny and the great start he has made at stud and Burgundy through the ability he has been showing on the track.
SAPERAVI has had 1 runner to date called Sipavino he ran a close 4th behind promising Saatchi and subsequent stakes winner NAPATAP (by Patapan also by Stravinsky).We are getting some good reports about the young ones working.
The son of SUNRAY Misisipi Moonshine has been sold to Australia - his owner Peter Lyon says it was a difficult decision as he was fashioning a great record in the jumping races.
Several other Sunrays have promising careers in the eventing world - they are making extremely good and clever jumpers. His son Stingray has been catching the eye with some fast finishing in the north and others are starting to show up now they are old enough to go over more distance.
May the new year bring higher stakes and great racing - good health and an end to the earthquakes!
Stakes Win for $1.3 Million Colt (half brother to Saperavi)
Tara Madgwick - Sunday, 23 October 2011
Boom Redoute's Choice colt Burgundy maintained his unbeaten record when posting his first Black Type success in the Listed Canterbury Stakes at Riccarton in New Zealand on Sunday.
The Jason Bridgman trained colt made it three wins in as many starts when he cruised clear to win the 1600 metre event over last start stakes-winner Shuka by the best part of two lengths as a short priced favourite.
A $1.3 million purchase by David Ellis of Te Akau Stud, Burgundy (pictured as a yearling) was bred by Peter and Philip Vela and was offered by Pencarrow Stud at the 2010 Karaka Premier Sale.
From one of New Zealand's premier families, Burgundy is out of the Group I winning Zabeel mare Grand Echezeaux and is a three-quarter-brother to the five time Group I winner and leading young sire Darci Brahma.
A $1.1 million graduate of the 2004 Karaka Premier Sale, Darci Brahma was also bought by David Ellis and won the Group I NZ 2000 Guineas in 2005, the same race Burgundy is nominated for in November.
Standing at the Oaks Stud, Darci Brahma has made an impressive start to the new season with a string of smart winners led by Group III winner and Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes runner-up Darci Be Good.
Burgundy is fittingly the 80th stakes-winner for his champion sire Redoute's Choice, who is leading the way on the Australian General Sires List for 2011/2012 by earnings.
STUD NEWS -The snow August 2011!
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August 2011
The South Island sales have been the main focus this last 2 months and we were happy with the results.
We were extremely busy on the Thursday showing our draft and we had strong interest in all our entries this year which was pleasing after the gloom and doom predictions.
Our attention now is preparing for the upcoming stud season.
Both our young stallions are getting some nice bookings and the Saperavis that have been educated are getting great reviews. He has some nice types out there.
We think Minstrel Court is a fantastic asset for the South Island and can hardly wait till they are up and running. Sunray has been getting some good results lately, now that they are getting a bit of age on them and he has some grand types waiting in the wings.
We have nearly finished our new post and rail paddocks where we removed huge macrocarpa trees.
It has been a mammoth undertaking turning an old orchard into productive horse safe paddocks which we may not have started if we had realised the effort and time involved!
However it will be a great asset in the future yearling production.
I try to keep the website updated and as the season progresses, check out our foal photos.
(Last years ones are worth a look too!)
2 JULY 2011
At Willow Glen the weaning is finished - the babies all doing well and have been good to handle.
For the second year they have been branded with our farm brand Y in a O
This has always been our farm brand for the other stock (sheep wool etc) and finally last year we decided it was time to have our own brand for the horses.
Our attention is now on the South Island Sale draft and this year we have entered the first draft of Saperavi youngsters. Saperavi had a win and 2 stakes placings in 3 starts at 3(behind Hold it Harvey and Eel Win) when he was galloped on and had to be retired prematurely. He is a gorgeous looking horse with a mouthwatering pedigree his stock look to have inherited his looks fingers crossed for the track.
We have 2 colts by him entered
Brown colt out of SHENTON WAY Lovely athletic colt like his Dad
Brown colt out of CLEAR EXPRESSION Solid type early comer
Brown filly out of SOUTHERN KASH Attractive filly with bling
By Sunray we have
Bay Colt out of ALLEZ SEL Imported mare - stunning colt
Bay Colt out of LETS CELEBRATE Horlicks family - Image of his old man
also Bay filly by Lucky Unicorn out of ANDARI FLYER Super filly wonderful family and selling on behalf
Bay Colt by Danske out of KAREN COUP Last crop of Danske - Showy colt great catalogue page
Bay Gelding by Ekraar out of DA BLUES - Lovely moving type - promising sire
Also with SAPERAVI S in their draft is
Pear Tree Farm
2 year old colt out of FLEETING GLANCE - Well grown and presented - a bit of Centaine about him
Yearling brown colt out of BEAUTIFUL MIND Lovely colt with Bling Great opportunity for pin hookers.
We are excited about our draft this year and hopefully have candidates amongst them to target the South island Sale $50.000 race next year.
We were thrilled with the result of the English Oaks last weekend won in outstanding fashion by the daughter of Minstrel Courts Dad - DANEHILL DANCER as he continues to sire stakes winners all round the world.
Visit our website www.willowglenstud.co.nz from time to time for our updates.
We were very excited to watch Animal Kingdom win the Kentucky Derby recently as his trainer is the very astute Graham Motion who with his family has spent time at Willow Glen and who we visited on our travels to Saratoga and the States several years back.
Graham and wife Anita operate Herringswell Stables and a link to their website is on ours.
Graham like a lot of good trainers made his start with jumpers. His father is Michael Motion who in the past as a bloodstock agent for BBA bought a lot of the top stallions of the past to NZ.
Brother Andrew worked at Ra Ora and Fieldhouse studs as a late teen.
4 June 2011
Danehill Dancer filly wins Oaks
Breednet - Saturday, 4 June 2011
Dancing Rain added another chapter to Danehill Dancer's illustrious career at Epsom on Friday when winning the G1 Oaks with a bold front-running performance.
DANEHILL DANCER
The impressive Newbury maiden winner was steered by Johnny Murtagh to a three-quarter length success from Wonder Of Wonders.
Dancing Rain was winning trainer William Haggas's first runner in the Investec Oaks. "This is what it's all about,� said a hoarse Haggas. "It's just a matter of getting the right horse and on this occasion the right jockey.
"She's a big long-striding filly and we got lucky because we were left alone in front. Johnny was able to pop her back to sleep for a bit and bide his time.But he said that when the other filly came to her she went again and wanted to win.
"Last year she was hopeless but she was steadily getting better and she's still getting better. Johnny was clever but she stays and we didn't make enough use of her last time. That's the learning process and she has done it well today.�
Murtagh added: "I was hoping she would be able to make the jump going up to a mile and a half today and it worked. William said he'd be happy for her to go on as she stays well and we got lucky that we didn't have to do too much infront.
"She set a nice pace but she was ducking and diving forever so I knew that there was loads left in the tank. I thought that if we got to the six-furlong pole, she could maintain a good gallop down the last six (furlongs) and it would take something to pick her up in the last half-mile.�
Dancing Rain was bred by the Sangster family's Swettenham Stud and bought by agent Liam Norris for 200,000 euros as a yearling at Goffs for the brothers Lee and Martin Taylor
March 2011
The year has flown.
It has been an exciting time for us with the first season foals arriving for Minstrel Court.
We are thrilled with them - big strong great types, very muscley, quick around the paddock and easy to do anything with. They have quite a lot of chrome on some of them - looks like he is throwing true to type like his sire Danehill Dancer and his great sire son Choisir.
It was fantastic to see a son of Danehill Dancer make $800k at Karaka in January.
He was very much the type of Minstrel Court and Mastercraftsman (shuttling to Windsor Park Stud for $20k)
Minstrel Court served a quality book of 40 mares as did Saperavi, who was once again very popular with breeders expecially with repeat mares after people were very excited about previous foal by him. Always a good sign.
Te Akau Stud has nine yearlings by Saperavi running together on their farm and we have heard lots of raves from people who have seen them.
Saperavi's half brother Darci Brahma is still very popular despite it being in the "wait and see" third year.
He has had every opportunity at stud and in the sale ring and he once again sold very well.
He has had several impressive runners with two year old winners and stakes placed runners in his first crop already, which is a good sign for things to come as the family definatly gets better with age.
Every foal born to Saperavi is quality big and beautiful to all sorts of mares, which should be an asset in the sale ring.
We were thrilled for Rosie Insall when her gelding by Sunray called Little Boss won the Central South Island Winter Series. A great reward for his consistency and well done to Rosie and Len for being a member of the organisation. Also our neighbours Lucy and George Hennessy are having gread fun and success with their son of our former stallion Hadaad called Stormy Rain.
It was also great to see Fast Future out of our mare Quip win the Group 3 Launceston Cup in Tasmania last week. She is also closely related to Heart of Dreams winner of the Group 2 in Melbourne the same weekend to add to his previous Group 1 wins.
The stud has some photos of the foals - we get a lot of positive comment from it.
A bit hard to find the time to get on and update it!
Although shaken up a bit we were lucky to have no damage in the earthquakes but really feel for our neighbours in Christchurch. Every one is rallying round to do their bit to help and their is incredible support from all around the country.
It was also very sad to lose good friend Peter South recently. He has bred several most magnificent youngsters by Saperavi and would tell all and sundry to come and see for yourselves. Peter did a lot in the background for the racing industry in this district and kept every one on their toes. He and Thelma had a lot of success recently with their team of mostly home bred racehorses ; he was always a great feeder especially of the young horses.
Earlier news...
- September 2010
This winter has been challenging to say the least. We had 12 inches rain in 3 days then a further 2 inches & every little shower thereafter made the farm hard to get around and the creeks would come up again. Not cold fortunately but a lot of feeding out and the dairy grazing cows certainly made a mess this year (not the mares!)
We felt for our friends and family in Christchurch and Canterbury in the big earthquakes - it was frightening enough here in South Canterbury. We only slightly feel the biggest aftershocks but we know how traumatic it has been to those experiencing hundreds of after shocks. The sales in August were hard work with the usual casual buyers absent this year whether through the change of date or the recession. We had a very nice draft this year by Sunray and were proud that Te Akau’s David Ellis bought our lovely Mannleigh colt - he was a star and Fran Houlahan from Australia bought The Babe colt from the Dennis Brothers family - he also was a great type and Fran was the underbidder in the Mannleigh colt also.
Despite the depressed market the mares are arriving to our stallions which is testament that we have what the market requires for the moment. Saperavi is getting return mares on the strength of his quality progeny. Oldest are now yearlings. His half brother Darci Brahma has his oldest about to run at 2 and in Sydney 3 trialists have all run impressive 2nds. Everyone comments on the sensible attitudes of their Saperavi Youngstock. Stravinski is leaving winners every week and his sire sons are making a big impression.
Minstrel Court is starring again with the birth of his first foal - a filly out of Famous Star mare Wind Assisted . We couldn’t have wished for a better advertising tool as she is just what we hoped he would leave! Big - strong - chestnut - neat blaze - 3 white socks and confident. Minstrel Court’s nature is amazing and he is a delight to handle.
Mike and I snuck up to the Waikato stallion tour in August with a couple of friends and saw 47 stallions in the 2 days - Great fun. Good to see Mastercraftsman (full book at $25.000 by Danehill Dancer) standing at Windsor Park stud - different colour but similar horse to Minstrel. Good also to see that our stallions stack up with anything we saw and realize now why so many North Islanders send their mares south.
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filly by Minstrel Court out of Wind Assisted
Born 24/9/10 photo taken 25/9/10
Owned by John Berger
July 2010
We have had a busy time weaning and handling foals and a very nice bunch this year and very happy with the Saperavi youngsters - the Stravinsky half brother to Darci Brahma is leaving some great looking types. Had lots of glowing reports about our clients Saperavis and from lots of different types of mares.
Interesting to see Windsor Park Stud’s exciting new stallion addition MASTERCRAFTSMAN a son of DANEHILL DANCER ( as is our own Minstrel Court) has a full book at a service fee of $25.000 within a week of being announced. Amazing to see Danehill Dancer;s wonderful sire son Choiser is leaving top class runners and we were thrilled to see his son Starspangled Banner win the Group 1 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot at the weekend - he has been purchased for stud duties for $10 million ! Before this win. Makes you realise how lucky we are to have a stallion with the performance and of the calibre of Minstrel Court standing in the South Island .
Our South Island Sale horses are coming along well - this year we have 6 colts by our Zabeel boy SUNRAY entered - 2 out of the famous Dennis Brothers Mares The Babe and The Curves. A lovely colt out of Mannleigh from Waikato Studs wonderful family of Glamour Puss and numerous top horses. A strong colt out of Australian mare Final Option. Athletic type out of Our English Rose family of the Alberton horses a classic type out of Hollywood Love. whose two half brothers sold to Singaport. Sunrays Little Boss capped some consistent form with a double this month well deserved ;over ground. He looks to have a bright future.
Hedwood thorooughbreds are preparing a lovely yearling filly by Saperavi out of the Desert King mare Beautiful Mind for John Fokerd of Wellington.
A great opportunity to purchase the first crop of Saperavi and she will be a great investment.
June 2010
We have had a busy time weaning and handling foals and a very nice bunch this year and very happy with the Saperavi youngsters - the Stravinsky half brother to Darci Brahma is leaving some great looking types. Had lots of glowing reports about our clients Saperavis and from lots of different types of mares.
Interesting to see Windsor Park Stud;s exciting new stallion addition MASTERCRAFTSMAN a son of DANEHILL DANCER ( as is our own Minstrel Court) has a full book at a service fee of $35.000 within a week of being announced. Amazing to see Danehill Dancer;s wonderful sire son Choiser is leaving top class runners and we were thrilled to see his son Starspangled Banner win the Group 1 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot at the weekend - he has been purchased for stud duties for $10 million ! Before this win. Makes you realise how lucky we are to have a stallion with the performance and of the calibre of Minstrel Court standing in the South Island .
Our South Island Sale horses are coming along well - this year we have 6 colts by our Zabeel boy SUNRAY entered - 2 out of the famous Dennis Brothers Mares The Babe and The Curves. A lovely colt out of Mannleigh from Waikato Studs wonderful family of Glamour Puss and numerous top horses. A strong colt out of Australian mare Final Option. Athletic type out of Our English Rose family of the Alberton horses a classic type out of Hollywood Love. whose two half brothers sold to Singaport. Sunrays Little Boss capped some consistent form with a double this month well deserved ;over ground. He looks to have a bright future.
Hedwood thorooughbreds are preparing a lovely yearling filly by Saperavi out of the Desert King mare Beautiful Mind for John Fokerd of Wellington. A great opportunity to purchase the first crop of Saperavi and she will be a great investment.
Starspangledbanner by mighty son of Danehill Dancer(20th June 2010)
Mightily-impressive Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Starspangledbanner (AUS) at Royal Ascot, England, on Saturday might be retired to stud in Australia following next month’s Darley July Cup.
MightilyStarspangledbanner (AUS) at Royal Ascot, England, on Saturday might be retired to stud in Australia following next month’s Darley July Cup.
That possibility was voiced by part-owner John Magnier, head of Ireland’s Coolmore Stud and its Australian base of the same name.
Magnier said: “It was the plan for him to go to stud down there this summer [before the Coolmore team bought into the horse], but obviously we will now have to see what Derrick [Smith] and Michael [Tabor] want to do with him. They can earn some money back from him [at stud] or race him - it’s up to them.
“If he is to go to stud he would pretty well have to give up racing now, although he could probably run in the [Darley] July Cup and go then. Derrick and Michael are interested in the racing side rather than the breeding side, so I’d say if Aidan recommended he should stay in training the probability is they would do that. It’s not all about the money for Michael and Derrick, it’s about the racing.”
He added: “Ascot has done a great job to get an international field together for today’s race. You can feel it’s an international event. We haven’t thought about going overseas for other races [in the Global Sprint Challenge], but it’s a good concept.”
O’Brien said: “It’s a privilege to have him, if only for a few races, but the lads will decide whether they want to stand him at stud this season or next.”
He added: ”It’s a relief when things like this happen because the lads [Messrs Magnier, Tabor and Smith] put a lot into it and they have to get results to keep the whole business going. I’m just delighted to be back in the winner’s enclosure.”
Adding to his eulogies for Starspangledbanner, O’Brien said: “He’s very quick, but he was like that before we got him [when trained in Australia by Leon Corstens]. He came from Australia with a massive reputation and we were lucky to get him.
“I was hoping a horse was going to lead him today, but when you’ve got a horse that can do his sort of fractions, who’s going to lead?
“What’s so incredible is this horse got a mile in Australia and we knew if he hit the gate today nothing was going to lead him - and having won over a mile he wasn’t going to be stopping either. He’s a great horse.”
Starspangledbanner was only fifth in the Duke Of York Stakes on his first run for O’Brien, who said: “He had a break after he first came to us so we could get a feel for him. He needed the run at York, but since then the fractions he’s been doing have been so incredible. His reflexes are so fast.
“Colm O’Donoghue rides him every day and he would go by me when I’m sitting in my Jeep in the morning and I’ve never seen anything so fast.”
The possibility of Australia’s top sprinter Denman taking on Starspangledbanner in the Darley July Cup does not induce fear in O’Brien, who said: “We’re delighted if he comes over, but we’ve never had anything like this fellow. He works like a quarter horse. You saw today what we see at home - and I don’t want to be accused of hyping him.”
Timing Starspangledbanner on Ballydoyle’s gallops raised a few question marks said O’Brien, adding: “Tom Curtis who does the times had to go back and check them to see if the GPS system was correct.”
