2015 Alabar News

ALABAR NEWS JULY 2015

PEAK

A Group One winner in both hemispheres

SUNSHINE BEACH A stunning World Champion son of Somebeachsomewhere

Interviews with Diane Cournane Craig Judd Brian Hedger Geoff Dunn

The first look at A ROCKNROLL DANCE’S foals

ALABAR NEWS

2015 ALABAR NEWS Front Cover Picture SUNSHINE BEACH

EARLY BIRD PAYMENT OPTION 20% Discount For Up-Front Payment Over the last three seasons we have offered breeders the opportunity to pay their service fees up front in return for the maximum 20% discount.

This scheme has been very well received by breeders so we are offering it again this season – across all our stallions.

We also like this scheme as it helps our cash flow at a time when usually all the money is going out and nothing is coming in.

So here’s the deal ...

We’ll give a 20% discount on the service fee of any of our stallions on the basis that the service fee is paid up-front no later than 30 September 2015.

This discount is not additional to any multiple mare discounts.

So, if you’ve always wanted the 20% discount enjoyed by the big players, here’s your opportunity. All you have to do is pay us by 30 September 2015.

At the end of the season, should your mare not have obtained a final positive test, you will have the choice of having the paid service fee refunded in full or leaving it with us to “lock in” the discounted price for the following season.

The usual live foal guarantee also applies.

CONTACTS Alabar Australia (Phone Numbers +61) Sally Burgess & Liz Birnie (Office)

Fax

Alan Galloway (Studmaster)

John Coffey (Breeding Consultant)

Tom Galloway (Farm Manager)

Brett Coffey (Marketing Manager and Pedigrees)

03 5859 2201 (8am - 4 pm) 03 5859 2206 0418 543 235 0418 500 211 0408 505 416 0423 812 652

Email Sally Burgess

Liz Birnie

Alan Galloway

John Coffey

Brett Coffey (Marketing and Pedigrees)

sally@alabar.com.au liz@alabar.com.au alan@alabar.com.au john@alabar.com.au brett@alabar.com.au

Alabar (NZ) Ltd (Phone Numbers +64) Nigel Fahy 09 232 1800 Fax 09 232 1799 Graeme Henley (General Manager) 09 232 1800, 0274 870 901 Wayne McNamara (Studmaster) 09 232 1800 Ivan Behrnes (South Island Rep) 03 615 6332 Email General Enquiries alabar@alabar.co.nz Graeme Henley graeme@alabar.co.nz Nigel Fahy nigel@alabar.co.nz Ivan Behrnes ivanbehrnes@yahoo.co.nz

Connect with us

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@AlabarFarms

“He’s got all the attributes you could want in a horse – he’s fast, he can stay and he’s great gaited.

Very quick – with high, high speed but also very strong with a high cruising speed.”

Leading Trainer Gary Hall Snr

He was a stakes winner at two, three and four and won the Group One WA Derby by over four lengths from the breeze!

Possessed the speed, toughness, manners and X Factor that made him one of Australasia’s most exciting racehorses

AUS $2,750 (incl GST) | NZ $2,750 (plus GST)

ALTA CHRISTIANO

Christian Cullen - Right This Time - Fake Left

1:54.2 - $309,163

ALABAR NEWS

A Rocknroll Dance’s foals are worth the wait!

A

s we anxiously wait for A Rocknroll Dance’s debut downunder foals to arrive this Spring it is great to see that his North American foals are wowing their North American owners.

See You At Peelers Colt - Dam won $1,566,900 and was US 2yo and 3yo Filly of the Year.

As a multiple World Champion son of Rocknroll Hanover, A Rocknroll Dance served some outstanding mares in his debut season in North America and you can see some of the resultant foals here. (All photos taken by Chris Tully)

Apple Filly. Dam is an Art Major grand daughter of Cathedra.

Western Montana Colt. Dam won $186,335.

Loyal Opposition Colt. Dam won $2,804,051.

Emily Car Colt. Dam is an Art Major daughter of Cabrini Hanover.

ALABAR NEWS

Sunshine Beach and connections after winning a division of the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes. Mark Steacy (second from right).

M

ark Steacy is one of North America’s leading and most respected trainers.

The Ontario based horseman has prepared the winners of over $18 million to date in his training career. He has won the O’Brien award for horsemanship and has scored numerous Breeders Crown titles.

We talked to Mark about two of the best horses he’s trained – the former outstanding racehorses and now Alabar New Zealand stablemates – Sunshine Beach and Majestic Son. You bought Sunshine Beach at the 2011 Harrisburg yearling sales for $85,000. What was it about Sunshine Beach that drew you to him?

Obviously Sunny had a very good pedigree and because I have had a lot of luck buying babies who were 11th or 12th foal. I was attracted to his long legs and athletic body. He stood very correct and had a nice foot and knee.

What were your early impressions of Sunshine Beach?

Although he was a little awkward in the paddock, he broke and gaited well.

What was his personality/temperament like early on?

Sunny was a people friendly horse right from the start and loved to clean his feed up and look for more.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK STEACY

Tell us about Sunshine Beach’s strengths?

Sunny was probably the smartest horse I have trained.

He also had a great set of lungs and an effortless gait to go along with his determination to win.

After winning the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine you were quoted as saying “to beat a horse like Captaintreacherous is fantastic, he is probably ranked right up there with Niatross and Somebeachsomewhere”. You obviously held Sunshine Beach in high regard, what made him so special?

To beat a great racehorse like Captaintreacherous and almost beat him again in the Breeders Crown despite being parked with no cover for the entire mile, showed Sunny was also a very talented racehorse.

Given the documented problems Sunshine Beach had with kidney and bladder stones, if he didn’t have these unusual ailments how great do you think he could have been?

I think Sunny performed at a top level because of heart

and determination even with his ailments (bladder and kidney stones). I’m not sure if it was possible to have raced much better at three, but I think because he went through so much pain and discomfort before and after every race (constantly urinating blood after every time on track) that he would have been a far stronger racehorse at four. I think the stress of racing and his operation to remove the bladder stone took a lot out of him. He continued to race with a kidney stone at four.

Looking forward, what characteristics of Sunshine Beach would you like to see him pass on to his progeny that would ultimately make him a successful sire?

I think if Sunny passes on his brains, gait, heart and attitude then owners and trainers of his foals will be very happy.

As the man who knows him best, how would you sum up Sunshine Beach?

Sunshine Beach is one of those rare horses that makes a trainer look good and owners happy.

You also trained 2006 Canadian 3yo Trotter of the year in Majestic Son, who also stands at our farm here in New Zealand. During his career he won twenty stakes races, as a 3yo he won many major races including the $1m Canadian Trotting Classic, the Goodtimes Final and also the Breeders Crown.

He was an amazing trotter who had some great battles with Glidemaster. What are your favourite memories of him?

Majestic Son was also a very smart horse with tons of speed and great lungs. He was the best three-yearold of his year and when he was at his best could have gone with any trotter of other years.

Mark, you also train Harper Blue Chip who last season emulated his father Majestic Son in winning the 3yo Canadian Trotter of the Year title on his way to earning almost $700,000 in stakes. How is he shaping up for this season?

Harper Blue Chip has filled out into a very strong four-year-old but because of a last race injury we have taken our time to bring him back. I think he will be a strong performer in the later part of the season.

And finally, are there similar traits in Harper Blue Chip that Majestic Son seems to pass onto his progeny?

Both Majestic Son and Harper Blue Chip were very happy with life and more than willing to do their job when they got behind the starting gate. They both gave everything they had right to the finish.

ALABAR NEWS

SUNSHINE BEACH

ALABAR NEWS

THE PEAK OF INTEREST A

s a Group One winner in Europe who travelled to the Southern Hemisphere and scored a further Group One victory, Peak is one of a kind. No other Standardbred has ever achieved this feat.

There’s no doubting his ability as a racehorse – Tim Butt said he’s the best gaited trotter he’s trained but it’s his pedigree that has us captivated by the possibilities he presents.

There’s obviously ample scope in his European genes for outcrosses – but the risk factor of breeding “outside the square” is tempered by the strong American bloodlines he also carries.

This will surely be an attractive combination for trotting breeders who are looking for hybrid vigour - but with the security blanket of some familiar crosses as well. Particularly when they can do so without having to spend a fortune and without having to use frozen semen.

The quality of the European trotter is undeniable.

The likes of the 1:49 trotter Sebastian K and the $5 million winner Commander Crowe conquering North America is testament to this.

Of note, the great Commander Crowe is by a son of Buvetier D’Aunou, the sire also of Ganymede – the sire of Peak. Both Peak and Commander Crowe are flashy chestnuts with a thin white blaze.

Ganymede is a super-sire in Europe. In 2014 he was the champion sire of France (for the second time). He also has a number of successful siring sons at stud.

In Australia, Ganymede has a handful of foals bred from frozen semen. They include the $200,000 winner, Vincennes which won the Vicbred Final as a 4yo and was placed second to Stent in the final of this year’s Great Southern Star.

SO, HOW BEST TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE BLOODLINES While Peak’s dam-line is very much European, his sire is a grandson of the top American bred trotting sire Royal Prestige - so a great-grandson of the immortal Speedy Crown.

Peak’s dam is by the outstanding American bred sire Sugarcane Hanover, a son of Florida Pro who in turn is a son of Arnie Almahurst.

This lineage presents a number of wide-ranging and exciting options for breeders – with opportunities to take advantage of proven crosses with the North American elements of his pedigree and also with what is proven to be successful for his own sire (Ganymede).

Such has been the dominance of Sundon in this part of the world, it’s virtually a prerequisite for trotting sires in New Zealand and Australia to be able to cross with his daughters.

We feel Peak is a sound option for daughters of Sundon and for mares with Sundon close up in their pedigree. As mentioned, Peak’s dam is by the outstanding sire Sugarcane Hanover. He is a grandson of Arnie Almahurst – as is Sundon. This double-up is appealing – Stent is a current superstar that carries a double-up of Arnie Almahurst.

What’s more Peak is from the Speedy Crown sire-line via Royal Prestige. Sundon has crossed very well with the Speedy Crown sire-line in general and also specifically via Royal Prestige (eg the former top trotter Last Sunset is by Sundon from a daughter of Royal Prestige).

Also, Ganymede’s best performer in Norway is from a daughter of Pine Chip (a son of Arndon as is Sundon).

The same logic should apply for daughters of Keystone Salute (a son of Florida Pro) and also mares by Pine Chip and his son Dream Vacation.

Ganymede cross with Speedy Crown One thing that certainly stands out when looking through the progeny of Ganymede in Europe is that many of his best performers are out of mares from the Speedy Crown line.

For this reason, we feel Peak (a son of Ganymede) should cross well with Speedy Crown line mares – eg daughters of Armbro Invasion, Gee Whiz, Straphanger, Pernod Eden etc.

Notably, a number of these top performers out of mares from the Speedy Crown line are via Speedy Somolli. As such mares from the Valley Victory line should also be sound options – eg Muscles Yankee, Dr Ronerail (out of a mare by Royal Prestige), Great Success, Simon Roydon etc.

In Australia, the rising star trotter Vincennes is by Ganymede from a daughter of Lindy Lane (a son of Valley Victory).

Ganymede has also sired several top horses from mares by Royal Troubadour. This would indicate Peak should cross well with mares by a son of Royal Troubadour (eg C R Commando) or other Super Bowl line mares (eg daughters of Britewell, Malabar Maple and Continentalman) There is no reason why mares representing complete outcrosses will not also be good options for Peak. These mares include those by sires from the Balanced Image line (eg Earl, Monarchy, Yankee Paco and Brylin Boyz), mares by Angus Hall and his son Majestic Son, mares by S J’s Photo and his son Pegasus Spur and also mares by Chiola Hanover.

It should be remembered that most of these sires have Speedy Crown close up in their pedigrees or the mares themselves will have Sundon, Gee Whiz etc as the sire of their second or third dam – so the successful crosses mentioned above most likely will apply to them as well.

As we say, the possibilities are captivating.

ALABAR NEWS

Q&A WITH

Brian Hedger BREEDER OF SKY MAJOR

Sky Major You have been an Alabar client for a number of years now. How long have you been in the racing industry and how did you get involved?

It’s Steve and Anne Phillips fault! In about 1986 I joined a syndicate that they had set up - the Kindergarten Syndicate. Kindergarten was a nice horse and we had a lot of fun.

You bred Sky Major (Art Major- Sky Beauty, by In the Pocket) from a family you have had for 2-3 generations. How did your involvement with this family start?

With a workmate of mine, Steve Vidovich, we purchased a yearling at a disposal sale Miss Miami. As an early two-year-old she was going great guns so I personally bought her dam, Eagles Three, on a tender, from Northern Bloodstock. She had a foal at foot (Skyhigh Eagle) and was in foal to Vance Hanover. The resultant foal was Miami Vance.

It went from there.

You must be very proud of breeding a horse like Sky Major. You also bred and raced his mother Sky Beauty, who was a quality racehorse. What was she like and what were her highlights on the racetrack?

Yes, along with my supportive wife, Heather, and Greg Sweeney, we bred and raced Sky Beauty. She was an easy horse to raise. She was cheeky but had a kind nature. Probably her best win was over a mile at Alexandra Park, when she defeated Itz Cherry Ripe, Mystic Mink and Flight Of Fantasy.

Two other highlights were when she finished second both times. At Cambridge she sat outside Lady Cullen and only gave in at the last little bit. Lady Cullen’s time was 1:55:9 and Sky Beauty’s time was 1:56:3. Then at the Park she led the whole way but was then run over in the shadows of the post by Madison Paige....10 lengths to third and another 1:56 placing. These times are not so special nowadays but back then – outstanding.

Sky Major was born at Alabar and was prepared for the yearling sales by Robert Mitchell and Sandy Stuart. Looking back what impressed you the most about him as a youngster?

Easy to say now, but even as a yearling he had a fair amount of presence about him and a super body. Robert and Sandy loved him and reckoned he was a perfect gentleman.

history with Sky Major being the only horse to ever win three NZ Jewels titles must have been a huge thrill.

Yes, it was indeed a huge thrill.

What do you think is Sky Major’s greatest performance?

The Chariots Of Fire as a four-year-old. To sit outside Bling it On and still win, was special.

What has been the emotional highlight in your involvement with Sky Major?

His first win at Alexandra Park in the Two-Year-Old Yearling Sales Series Graduate. Very emotional.

You’d have to think that the New Zealand Cup will be Sky Major’s main aim in the coming season. What would it mean to you to have one of the leading chances in NZ’s historic pacing race?

There is no doubt the N.Z. Cup is the ultimate. We’ve booked our tickets at the hotel. No doubt Barry will be working on his standing start manners.

And finally do you have any breeding theories or guidelines you would like to share with our breeders?

No. I’m not much of a theories man. I never look very far back in the pedigree. What I will say is that I wouldn’t breed a mare unless she has shown speed. I think weaning of the foal is very important. In this regard we are lucky to have Karen and Jim McMurtry looking after our young ones at Charlie Hadley’s property in Waiuku. They give the foals some early education and at weaning they hardly miss a beat. I don’t think I am any sort of expert at the breeding game – just a harness enthusiast who has lucked into a nice family. Also, to have Barry Purdon training the Major is a huge plus.

Sky Major was a quality yearling, selected by one of New Zealand’s top judges of horseflesh in Barry Purdon. He fetched $50,000 at the 2012 Australasian Classic in Auckland? What’s something the readers may not know about him?

Can’t think of much. He was born on Christmas Eve. Nice Christmas box! Also he is a “wrecking ball” on his paddock covers.

You retained a share in one of the syndicates that race Sky Major. Being part of

“Easy to say now, but even as a yearling he had a fair amount of presence about him and a super body. Robert and Sandy loved him and reckoned he was a perfect gentleman.”

SMILING SHARD 1:53.7

AT TWO HE BECAME NZ’S FASTEST EVER MALE

AUS $2,200 (incl GST) | NZ $ 2,000 (plus GST)

A GROUP WINNER FROM TWO TO FIVE

WINNER OF

Harness Jewels, Breeders Crown, NZ Sires Stakes, Kaikoura Cup (twice)

ALABAR NEWS

DIANE COURNANE

loves her horses Fight For Glory and her owners after winning the New Zealand Oaks. Diane Cournane (second from left).

S

outhland’s Diane Cournane has been on the ride of a lifetime as she and her fellow owners have followed their pride and joy Fight For Glory winning major group races on both sides of the Tasman during the season.

It was hard on the body working in that business with all the chemicals you have to work with so I am pleased to be able to walk away from it and follow my passion for horses.

What first got you interested in horses?

My dad, Don McRae, trained and drove horses for Bob Townley and Jim Flynn and then went Diane bred and raced Fight For Glory’s out on his own as a trainer.

dam Breath of Life, making her success My mother’s side was connected to gallopers. that much sweeter and more meaningful. We used to ride ponies around the farm as kids

I have also had good luck with thoroughbreds through our now 28-year-old broodmare Landara.

I sold her Volksraad daughter Volkara at the sales for $75,000 before buying it back as an injured horse for $1,500.

My husband Noel and I have a Zed two-yearold filly from her and a Zacinto yearling colt and have put her in foal to Tavistock.

and it was from those days that I began to enjoy How many winners have you now owned in working with horses, learning to use common both codes? sense and kindness when handling them.

I have been associated with around 70 winners so I have been incredibly lucky. They have You have interests in both gallopers and helped pay all the bills that you have as a breeder standardbreds. Which do you prefer and why? and racehorse owner.

I would possibly lean to thoroughbreds as they What makes Southland such a great place to are lovely looking animals.

Where is your farm located and when did you breed and raise horses? first buy the property?

There is nothing that beats the grass Southland Standardbreds are different, being more laid Our 150 acre farm is on rolling hills at Grove pastures can grow despite the sometimes wet back, but they are now becoming much finer in Bush, just 20 minutes from Invercargill. It conditions. You simply can’t farm in a better their builds and also looks. was once a deer farm and has excellent fences place. As one Southland farmer once said, throughout. We have since built stables to house “Where there’s mud, there’s money!”

What was the first horse you owned and raced, up to six horses at a time. what was your first winner and how did this What work were you trained in before happen?

You have built up a reputation as providing concentrating full time on the farm with your McWay (the grandam of Fight For Glory) was an excellent farm for spelling racehorses. How husband Noel? my first venture into standardbreds. She won do you manage your pastures so they stay I owned a hair salon in Invercargill called Diane’s two races for me and I then bred from her healthy?

Hair Salon for 35 years. daughter My Name’s Good, by In summer we can have up to 40 horses here, Nero’s BB. mostly sent by Mark Purdon and Merv and Meg Butterworth.

She was a big mare who has been really good to me, leaving The horses love nothing better than getting Anvil’s Top Gun, by Christian their covers off and being free spirits galloping Cullen (7 wins), Make Mine around our large paddocks. I never have more Roses, by Washington VC than three horses per paddock so there is plenty (1 win) and the very good of feed to go around. racemare Breath of Life, by Village Jasper (7 wins), the I also have 50 sheep and some cattle to help clean dam of Fight For Glory, by Art up the horse paddocks. Noel uses the tractor Major who has won such big and harrows on them as well. races as the NSW Oaks and NZ Oaks.

I have found that sheep eat down closer to the Fight For Glory Where were you born and educated, and have you always lived in Southland?

I was born in Dunedin but was educated in Invercargill. I haven’t shifted away now for 60 years! It looks like I am here to stay.

ALABAR NEWS ground more than cattle and this helps clear away any worms that might Graeme (Henley) is also a great help. He chose Village Jasper to produce be present in the pasture.

Breath Of Life and also suggested Art Major which produced Fight For Glory, so he has been a great help.

Supersonic Miss, Arden Rooney, Messini, Major Ben and Isaiah are just some of Mark and Natalie’s trained pacers Noel and I have looked after on It is difficult as a commercial breeder not to go to the top proven sires the farm.

Fight For Glory has been a great horse for you, winning such major Do you have any special feeding programme for your horses? races as the NZ and NSW Oaks, the PGG Final and Gold Coast Oaks.

We feed a lot of grain, particularly barley, along with lucerne, baleage and Who are the co-owners in her with you and what makes her so special? hay. I am also a strong believer in natural grass. We grow our own small She is co-owned by Ann and Jim Gibb, Dean Illingworth, John and bales of hay but buy in the baleage.

Gaylene Tate and Lyn Tucker. They are a great crew to be with in the horse and we all get along so well and have a lot of fun together. Dean also raced How do you care for your weanlings?

Breath Of Life with me.

They are taught to eat hard feed while on their mothers out in the paddock and once weaned are then covered and brought in each day at 4pm to We are so lucky to own such a wonderful filly. Despite only being a wee be boxed and fed. They are then let out into their paddocks at 8am each thing she showed right from the start that she was a lovely mover and morning. I always make a point of leading them individually to and from Mark (Purdon) took to her straight away. their boxes.

He also trained and drove her mother Breath Of Life so he knows the I also like feeding the in-foal broodmares with a scoop of pellets at the end family well. of July to help with the development of the future foal.

Fight For Glory’s regular driver Natalie (Rasmussen) has been wonderful What are the young stock you have bred and are looking after? with her. She said even if she is asked to sprint up to three times in a race I have a big strong Auckland Reactor chestnut colt called Atomic Reactor she always comes back to her, drops the bit and then always digs in at the that I really like. Noel bred him as he loved Auckland Reactor. finish.

I also have a striking Mach Three filly called Sheer Bliss from Nitouche Franco that is built like a tank. She looks like she will definitely go early.

But the one I really like is the Art Major colt Honor And Glory who is a full brother to Fight For Glory.

It is her terrific will to win and her wonderful gait that makes her so special. Nothing bothers her, she is so laid back even when travelling up to Auckland or Australia to race. We just love her.

Mark wants us to try her again at four with the big Ladyship Mile at Menangle as the race we would all love to win.

He is a neat looking type with a beautiful head like many of Art Major’s progeny. I like his attitude and he will probably go to the yearling sales.

What are the greatest challenges facing breeders in New Zealand today and what action would you like seeing happen?

I also have the strongly built Real Desire two-year-old Lydia Ko, a full I support any ideas that will help breeders make more money and reduce sister to All Star Man (8 wins) and half-sister to Whisper Jet (6 wins) by costs.

Jereme’s Jet which I co-own with the Butterworths. She has been spelling in Australia.

I like the idea of breeder incentives being discussed at the moment. We have to keep the stakes up and keep improving them. Auckland is doing Another promising pacer I bred is War Horse, who is by Courage Under a great job.

Fire. There is also Breath Of Life’s Bettor’s Delight colt GI Joe which was bought by Merv Butterworth for $82,500. I intend keeping Lydia Ko as a The costs of breeding, feeding and training never go down so any stakes future broodmare. increases help.

What broodmares are you currently breeding from and who are they in foal to?

I have Breath Of Life who is in foal to Mach Three, Nitouche Franco served

by Bettor’s Delight, Make Mine Roses empty, and Lady Of The Dawn (a full sister to Christianheritage) also empty.

How do you decide which sire to breed to?

I do a lot of checking which sires are the most commercial and which siring crosses work the best, say for example with Art Major and Mach Three.

Breath Of Life & her Art Major Colt

I am also a big fan of seeing greater centralisation in the future and would like to see some kind of restriction placed on the number of mares an individual stallion can serve.

It should be like the thoroughbreds where more sensible numbers of mares are served by each of the top stallions.

Auckland Reactor - Make Mine Roses Colt

Mach Three - Nitouche Franco Filly

ALABAR NEWS

There’s no holding back the champion Courage Under Fire

A

labar at Echuca became the new home for the little champion Courage Under Fire in the Spring of 2011.

From the breedings around Australia that year has emerged a mighty crop of two year olds in 2014/15.

To the 30th of June he has sired 45 starters for 18 individual winners of over $270,000. Only the incomparable stallion Art Major has sired more two year old winners with 20 to the same date.

Of course it is not a surprise that Courage Under Fire occupies such a prominent position on the Australian two year old sires list as he was a sensational juvenile pacer himself – maybe even the label “sensational” is an understatement, such was his ability.

His record this year augers well for the future years as he is a sire whose progeny improve with age on their side – eg Pembrook Benny, Lanercost, Franco Jamar and Smolda.

Now speaking of Smolda, what a season he is having after returning to his country of birth in April. First up he won the Group Two Renshaw Cup at Penrith – rating a blistering 1:56.7 for the 2525 metre journey around the tight Penrith circuit.

Then on the 26th of April, he achieved what everyone in Harness Racing thought was impossible – defeating the champion Beautide at Menangle. With Natalie Rasmussen at the controls, Smolda added another Group One trophy to the cabinet – the Len Smith Mile in 1:50.6 with a closing quarter in 26.3.

Unfortunately shortly after those two wins, Dont Hold Back sustained a fetlock injury and although he has recovered, he is being kept in cotton wool in preparation for a three year old season – perhaps to emulate his famous dad.

The sentimentally named Whirily School is the standout filly by Courage Under Fire this season. She was bred by current Harness Breeders Victoria President Shannon Nixon and raced by Shannon and members of his family.

To the 30th of June, Whirily School has seen the racetrack on seven occasions for five wins including a decisive victory in the Group Two Vicbred Platinum final and a comfortable win in the Vicbred Series Semi Final.

It would be fair to say though that this has been Courage Under Fire’s best season for siring quality two year olds.

There have been a number of other impressive two year olds that can call Courage Under Fire their dad and they include:

Ten of these eighteen winners have taken 2:00 records and from them has emerged one of the most exciting juvenile pacers ever to grace a racetrack in Victoria.

TYRION – a SA based colt who won the Rivergum Lodge Classic at Globe Derby on the 7th of March and has been runner up in the Lordship Stakes and the Group Three Golden Nursery Final.

Dont Hold Back, a $15,000 purchase from the 2014 APG Melbourne Yearling Sale for Rockbank trainer Mario Attard, has only been seen twice at the races – but those two wins have been breathtaking.

On debut at Maryborough on the 19th of February, Dont Hold Back was parked for the trip by trainer / driver Mario Attard before surging to a five metre win in 1:55.8 – last half in 56.1.

“I couldn’t believe that time” said Mario recently. “I thought they must have remeasured the Maryborough track with a cheap measuring tape.”

Well if that was impressive enough, just take a peak at the replay of the Sapling Stakes at Melton just eight days later. This time with Greg Sugars at the lines, Dont Hold Back truly lived up to his name by smashing the Melton track record for two year olds with a 1:53.7 victory.

Danny Mielecki, who has been calling Victorian Harness Racing for the past twenty years, had one word to sum up the performance – WOW!

THEBATTLESJUSBEGUN 1:56.6 - a winner of his first three starts for NSW based trainer Shane Tritton.

DANCING WITH MILEY 1:56 – bred by the long time Alabar clients Bruce and Tony Dumesny. Winner of a heat of NSW Breeders Challenge and second in the Semi Final to Our Golden Goddess.

FIREBBY – a filly who looks to have a big future. She finished third (beaten a head and a neck) in the Group Two QBred Breeders Classic after sitting in the breeze for the trip.

COURAGEOUS CALL – five starts for two wins, including a heat of the Vicbred series.

SHES ALL BUSINESS 1:56.8 – the winner of the Gold Tiara consolation at Bathurst and second to the champion filly Heavens Trend in a heat of the NSW Breeders Challenge.

New fee for 2015 The good news continues for the supporters of Courage Under Fire with a new reduced fee in 2015 – now just $5,500 including GST and with the usual discounts for multiple mare bookings to Alabar stallions.

MAJESTIC SON Sire of

8 Group One winners

from his first two Southern Hemisphere crops

AUS $5,000 (incl GST) | NZ $ 5,000 (plus GST)

ALABAR NEWS

A season of Headlines for Mach Three “Supersonic” performance from Mach Three filly June 20 - Supersonic Miss paced the 2400 metres in 2:54.8, a mile rate of 1:57.2 and her time was nearly four seconds quicker than the winner of the other NSW Breeders Challenge semi-final in Makes Every Scents.

Mark Purdon was a happy man post race.

“She did that very easily and really impressed me” “She was in cruise control up the straight.”

Note: Supersonic Miss went on to win the Group One Final a week later.

Mach Three filly prevails in $479,000 Fan Hanover June 20 - Wrangler Magic delivered the performance of her harness racing career to win the $479,000 Fan Hanover Saturday night at Mohawk.

An impressive field of ten three-year-old pacing fillies, including 2014 Horse of the Year JK Shesalady, lined up to contest the Fan Hanover.

Wrangler Magic was able to surge by the leader and paced off to win by a length and three-quarters in 1:50.2.

Wrangler Magic Six figure offer snares Mach Three colt

Mares by Mach Three starting to make their mark

June 19 - The high class harness racing three year old Chachingchaching has been sold for a large six figure offer and will do his future racing in Australia.

February 13 - Everywhere you look both here and in North America you see the same thing over and over again.

Mach Three filly wins $150,000 final

As of today broodmares by Mach Three have just 54 live foals three years or older on the ground in New Zealand.

May 15 - Northern Velocity paced the 1950 metres in 2:28.2, a mile rate of 2:02.2 with closing sectionals of 59.7 and 28 to win the NZYSS 2yo Fillies Final.

“I think she will develop into a lovely three year old,” Mark said

Stunning track record win by Mach Three filly March 22 - Anyone who was lucky enough to be on course for the $25,000 Caduceus Club Classic for two year old fillies witnessed a performance by Northern Velocity that will live long in the memory bank.

Venus Serena shows her strength

Of those 54 foals, 36 have already qualified and 21 have already been to the winners circle.

Pacquiao 1:52.9 ($137,118) Darcee 1.54.9 - 8 Wins ($79,558), Eyre Crusher 1:56.5 ($79,953) and Al Raza 1:55 ($42,493) are just four of the early winners from mares by Mach Three.

On a quick path to the top Nov 14 - Every now and again in harness racing you witness something that just shouldn’t be possible.

March 21 - With the top two harness racing mares in the country in Adore Me and Helena Jet having been retired recently, the title of New Zealand’s best mare was up for grabs tonight at Addington in the $100,000 New Zealand Breeders Stakes.

Like today at Addington where the brilliant two-year-old filly from last year Supersonic Miss made her season debut against a strong field of intermediate grade pacers who all had runs under their belt, and got up and beat them.

Venus Serena was the public elect from barrier three and she showed last night that at her best, there is no better mare in the country at present.

Mach Three filly has big future

Mach Three fillies quinella Leonard Memorial

Oct 27- The Mach Three filly Classical Art was only having her third run away from her home at the All Stars base at Rolleston when she accounted for a game Brilliant Strike today.

March 1 - The Cheviot Harness Racing Club comes to town once a year when they run their annual meeting at Addington Raceway.

Mach Three son wins $250,000 “Super Final”

The highlight is always the Group3 Leonard Memorial for two year old fillies and this year was no exception with eleven fillies lining up in the time honoured classic.

October 12 - Three Of Clubs fought off challenges early and late on his way to an authoritative 1:51.1 harness racing triumph in the $250,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final for sophomore colt and gelding pacers on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.

Driver Matt Anderson let the brakes off on the corner and Northern Velocity shot away for an easy victory over a game Sophisticated Lady.

Mach It So in a career-best 1:48:2

All headlines taken from harnesslink.com

August 3 - Mach It So rallied from near the back of the pack early to score in the featured Preferred Handicap pace on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

ALABAR NEWS

CRAIG JUDD

of Benstud Fame

Bamako Mali and her owners after winning the NSW Breeders Challenge 2YOF Final. Craig and Renne Judd on right.

How did you get involved in Harness Racing?

My family have always been involved in Harness Racing.

My grandfather, Arthur Judd, was a long serving committeeman and life member of the Shepparton Harness Racing Club.

We all have a role and we are all passionate about what we are trying to achieve.

developed over its life time, not in a eight week yearling sale preparation.

I really believe what they say is true, If you love what you are doing you never work a day in your life.

In fact he and legendary Chris Howe and others were instrumental in shifting the club to its present site.

What do you look for in a potential broodmare?

When searching for a broodmare, the main criteria is pedigree.

Our mares and foals are on fully irrigated paddocks with hay available to them constantly. The foals have been fed pellets and hay and once they are weaned they have little trouble with adjusting to life without mum.

My father, Peter, raced a few nice horses with Ron & Jeff Cakebread from Elmore for many years so as a child I always followed them with interest.

What is the size of Benstud in terms of land but also horses?

Benstud has come a long way in both its size and presence in the industry since its inception in August of 2007.

We currently have 600 acres since purchasing an adjoining property 12 months ago.

The broodmare band is 140 mares, some of the best bred mares in the country so along with weanlings, yearlings and agisting race horses, we are pretty busy.

What are some of pleasures of running Benstud?

I think the greatest satisfaction of running Benstud is firstly family. We are all here, my wife Renee and my 3 girls Eilish, Kendal and Morgan along with my parents, Peter and Judy.

These days black-type families are the foundation to what you are trying to achieve. Then size, conformation and temperament.

When deciding your pedigree matches what factors do you take into account?

Over many years we have developed our own breeding methodology and everything we do is based around that.

We would not buy or breed anything that did not come under that system.

Australia and New Zealand are blessed to have access to the best stallions in the world and although some stallions don’t match our criteria with certain mares there is always another quality stallion that will.

You have quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading yearling preparers in Australia; can you briefly explain your program?

Yearling preparation for us starts the day they are born.

We believe a yearling sale horse/racehorse must be

We are now under the guidance of Prydes stockfeeds.

Their feed program is second to none. Our pastures have been analysed and we supplement our pasture’s shortfalls by using pellets specific to our weanlings needs.

We weigh each weanling and have growth graphs drawn up so that we know exactly where their growth rates are at.

Education is also paramount. After our weaning program is complete we bring our weanlings back through the barn every six to eight weeks so that we can further their training (jogger, walker, tie up, etc).

Drenching and most importantly feet are trimmed. Each foal/weanling has their own passport. We monitor legs from day one and with the help from our vets and farriers we assist every foal to make them as correct as they can possibly be.

Because we have done constant education of our babies, when they come in to be prepared for the yearling sales it doesn’t seem to cause them any stress and there is only discrete changes to diet.

We exercise our yearlings every day, they are rugged, groomed and their education furthered to handle the rigors of the sales.

You have been at the forefront of technology in terms of promoting your yearlings. Can you explain what you do and also what sort of feedback have you had?

Our philosophy with promoting our yearlings is simple transparency.

We started showing videos of our yearlings, like they do in the North America, running along a fence with the cameras showing side and front angles. If a yearling gets close when it runs, we still show the videos.

We welcome visitors to our farm and have had people follow the horses while they are on the jogger.

Last year we videoed between the yearlings legs while jogging them up with a Go Pro camera.

Soho Valencia

>>>>

ALABAR NEWS <<<< We can show any potential buyers the yearlings “passport” and because they are all born and raised on Benstud we can answer honestly any question asked about them. Most of the feedback has been very positive.

People follow our website for updates on height / weight and pictures etc.

Buyers seem to enjoy that we don’t edit out problem horses, they are what they are.

You are now also buying fillies at the yearling sale. What do you look for in a filly?

We apply our breeding methodology to approximately 50 yearling fillies in the Melbourne and Sydney sales, all of these coming from black type families.

We prefer to buy off studs that have been able to breed quality racehorses and this will usually leave us twelve to fifteen to then physically inspect.

Some years we haven’t purchased because we couldn’t find exactly what we’ve wanted and in recent years we have been lucky enough to buy a couple of lovely fillies in Morgan Abby and Bamako Mali.

I think that conformation and size are obviously important but intelligence is paramount.

We have to be able to forgive certain flaws because we haven’t been able to buy at the top of the market, but we will never forgive bad mannered or impatient silly horses.

Obviously substantial increases in prize money would boost confidence, but that is easier said than done.

We must continue to promote our product, both here and overseas. The web and social media are the areas we must exploit.

There needs to be more appreciation and respect shown to owners. Let’s face it, no owners, no industry.

And if we could rid ourselves of the doomsday naysayers and get participants to promote positiveness back in the industry, we would be much better off.

“Yes we have been lucky to have bred some nice horses, and to see them progress is the satisfaction that drives you harder to find the next one. ”

We try to imagine what the yearling is going to develop into as a broodmare.

You have bred some great horses over the years; can you single out a favourite?

It’s hard to have a favourite, but I think Benelise would be as she not only was a great horse, (her career was cut to fourteen starts for eight wins and three seconds and she probably should never have been beaten), but she has also left three group one winners - Yrubla, Soho Valencia and Niki No No. Yes, we have been lucky to have bred some nice horses, and to see them progress is the satisfaction that drives you harder to find the next one.

What are some of the challenges you see for the breeding industry and do you have any thoughts on how to overcome these?

Yes the industry does have its challenges, but currently so does every Australian industry.

GEOFF DUNN TALKS ABOUT MACH THREE You have had great success with one of his fillies in Venus Serena, what is it that makes her so good?

What makes Venus so good is her tough ability and her absolute will to win. She has a brilliant constitution (loves her food!) and loves a “dog-fight”.

What is her temperament like?

Venus is a lovely horse to work with strong willed and willing.

She has her own character - has her own special traits and lets you know when you change anything out of her routine.

She has to be fed first in the stable!

She has won numerous Group One’s.

Which one stands out the most and why?

The most significant group win for me was her three year old Jewels win as she drew the second line and had to work so hard.

She had to out-stay the favourite runner and did so with sheer determination.

Two weeks prior she was beaten in the NZ Oaks and although we knew there was a slight issue to be resolved (which later was), she went out of favour.

She later won “Performance of the year at Cambridge” for that particular run / race.

What is it about Mach Three do you think that enables him to leave quality horses each and every year?

Mach Three horses have great staying ability, big hearts and appear resilient they can consistently handle hard racing.

Benstud

GRINFROMEARTOEAR SIRE OF TWO $3 MILLION + EARNERS

This year at the Auckland weanling sale you bought a Mach Three filly out of Tapestry from Alabar for $24,000.

What is it that attracted you to her and ultimately gave you the confidence to spend that amount of money to secure her?

This particular Mach Three weanling attracted me on sheer type, “ticked all the boxes” on the tests we do and had a lovely temperament.

In your opinion what is it that makes a good filly and, apart from the obvious, what is different about them as opposed to a colt in ways that you handle/train them?

In my opinion I train my fillies very similar to that of any colts I train.

It depends on the individual horse’s stamina.

I am particular about the races I nominate them for depending on where their training regime is at, at the time.

The bottom line for me is that a “good horse is a good horse” no matter what gender they are. They are all unique individuals.

Currently fifth on Australian 3yo Sires List New Fee for 2015!

NZ $3,000 (plus GST) AUS $3,300 (incl GST)

ALABAR NEWS

MARISSA and her

MEDICINE Shadow Runner and connections after winning the Bathurst Gold Crown. Marissa DiMarco (fourth from left).

W

hen a young Newcastle based solicitor named Marissa DiMarco made the lengthy trip to Brooklyn Lodge at Bathurst in December Gotta Go Gold was the first to see the racetrack, on the 13th of February 2015 at Newcastle when he roared away for a 29 metre win in 1:57.2. You would have to admit it 2013, little did she know that the time and petrol money was going to reward was an impressive debut. her with over $100,000 just 18 months later.

Marissa had an affinity with horses from a young age with both her father and grandfather having bred and raced Standardbreds. Of course as young girls grow up, travel and then study take precedence over equine pleasures. However the appetite was whetted a couple of years ago with the purchase of a filly, now named Dark Diva.

Well Shadow Runner was equally as impressive on debut, again at Newcastle. On the 5th of March he won in 1:57.6 by 53 metres.

By now many people in Harness Racing were asking – Who is Sam DiMarco and how good are these two youngsters?

Dark Diva has won five races and over $37,000 and Marissa has plans to breed from her later this year.

Whilst Marissa must have been thinking – this is great medicine for Mum and Dad and this is a dream come true.

But the real reason for the trip to Bathurst was to purchase a yearling for her father Sam to train.

The Bathurst Gold Crown is a race that many participants, especially in NSW, aspire to win. This year heat night was on the 21st of March and the DiMarco team excelled again.

Sam had given up training some twelve years ago and in recent years had suffered quite badly with depression. In addition Marissa’s mother Michelle had been battling an illness called Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (Leukaemia), so the thought was to acquire a horse to occupy her parents time and ease their minds from the thoughts of their illnesses.

“He was such an impressive athletic type”

Marissa had bought Dark Diva from Harness Breeders NSW committee member Kevin Hipkins (an orchid grower based at Gosford). So a phone call to Kevin revealed that there was a Gotta Go Cullect yearling colt for sale from a half sister to the dam of Dark Diva.

Gotta Go Gold won his heat in 2:00.6, but with a final quarter in 27.8, whilst Shadow Runner blitzed his rivals with a 1:55.7 track record. Both horses were driven by Sam’s long time friend Michael Formosa, so he now had to make his choice for the Final a week later.

It is now well documented history that Shadow Runner did a power of work from his back line draw to record an emotional and brave win in the $102,000 Group One event and Michael made the correct choice to record his second Gold Crown win in recent years.

When Marissa went to Brooklyn Lodge to inspect the Gotta Go Cullect colt, her eye was taken by a striking looking athletic colt by Shadow Play, also coincidently owned by Kevin Hipkins.

The striking looking son of Shadow Play then had a brief let up before appearing again in May for the NSW Breeders Challenge Series. Following two seconds in heats to Match In Heaven, Shadow Runner became the fastest two year old colt in Australia this season with a 1:53.6 victory in a Semi Final on the 13th of June.

“He was such an impressive athletic type and I liked the way he was chasing the other colts around the paddock” said Marissa recently. “I just had to buy both colts.”

He rounded out his two year old season with a fourth place finish to the undefeated Kiwi visitor Our Waikiki Beach in the final.

So there finished chapter one in this incredible story of Shadow Runner and Gotta Go Gold.

So for Marissa, Sam and Michelle DiMarco, Shadow Runner and Gotta Go Gold have completed their first season of racing with fifteen starts for eight wins, four placings and combined stakes of $103,450.

The colts were broken in by Rickie Alchin at Menangle and then commenced their training with Sam DiMarco, although Gotta Go Gold suffered a severe bout of colic that required surgery at Newcastle Vet Hospital after he was broken in.

That type of medicine sure beats anything out of the bottle.

Shadow Sax is Shadow Play’s second Group One winner Shadow Sax joined Shadow Runner as a Group One winner when he took out the $110,000 Vicbred Two Year Old Colts and Geldings Final at Melton on July 4th.

The win was hard fought and it was his third success from seven starts.

Shadow Play now joins Bettor’s Delight and Rock N Roll Heaven as the only pacing stallions to have sired multiple Group One winning two year olds this season.

From just two crops, Shadow Play has sired 37 winners. Shadow Runner and Shadow Sax are his best two year olds, while the exciting Brilliant Strike 1:57.1 (3rd NZ Derby Gr.1) heads his three year olds.

Shadow Sax (by Shadow Play) winning the Vicbred 2YO C&G Final

Shadow Play’s three year olds also include the Group Three winner Morior Invictus and a further three pacers who have placed at Group One level.

ALABAR NEWS

BIG JIM’s two year olds are impressing B

eing a World Champion two year old himself big things were expected of Big Jim’s debut crop and to date it doesn’t look like he will disappoint.

Retiring to stud in 2012, Big Jim served a good book of mares and subsequently has 72 two year olds in North America this season.

What the farms are saying about the Auckland Reactor and Betterthancheddar weanlings Brian West – Commercial breeder, Canterbury Auckland Reactor “I am a real big fan of Auckland Reactor after seeing how the five Auckland Reactors I have bred have turned out.

The colt out of the Christian Cullen mare Blah Blah Blah is one of the most outstanding colts I have on the place.

He is an absolutely magnificent type being strongly built and is a real athlete just like his dad.

I also have an Auckland Reactor filly out of Hurricane Dancer who is a gorgeous filly and is also in my top four yearlings. Yet another Auckland Reactor standout is a tall dark handsome colt from Crafty who is typical of them having excellent temperaments, conformation and good bone. I am seriously looking at booking a number of mares back to him this season.”

Andrea Tither – Southland breeder Betterthancheddar “I have a beautiful Betterthancheddar filly from VC Windermere (4 wins) by Washington VC. She is really solid and strongly built, already on the long reins and looks like she already owns the place. She is so easy to handle and educate having a lovely nature and is just so friendly. I am hoping to get the name Acapella for the filly, which is the name of an American cheese.”

Donna Williamson – South Canterbury semen base and vet Auckland Reactor “I like them – they are very good types. Fundamentally there is nothing wrong with any of their conformation and they were nice foals to do anything with.”

Ross Jones – Kina Craig Stud proprietor, Southland Auckland Reactor “They all are very well conformed types with good attitudes.”

Betterthancheddar “We have had a number of his foals here and they all have that something about them.

They take your eye with good colour and heads. I like them.”

Of those seventy two, twenty five have raced and seven have won their qualifiers in sub 2:00.

Big Bang Boom was Big Jim’s first qualifier when he won by three lengths at Mohawk.

Leading from start to finish, he won easily by three lengths.

Saturday the 4th of July was a particularly good day for Big Jim with his progeny winning four qualifiers at Mohawk including the two fastest.

Brent McIntyre – Maccca Lodge proprietor, Southland

South of the border in the United States, Star Of Oz has only faced the starter twice in qualifiers, but has won both times by a combined margin of 28 lengths.

Auckland Reactor “They are good legged and really nice horses. I couldn’t find fault with any of them. They were good to do anything with”

With the two year old season about to ramp up in Ontario, expect those numbers to improve rapidly over the coming weeks.

Betterthancheddar “He mostly leaves outstanding types. They are hard to fault and the colt from Badlands Hanna was a real standout with a great presence and head on him.”

REJUVENATE 1:55 (out of a Real Desire mare)

Trent Yesberg – Agister and Yearling preparer, Canterbury Auckland Reactor “I have had five to work on from a total of 40 weanlings on the place. They were the best to handle with amazing manners and a willingness to work with you. One in particular we broke in was like an old timer with his temperament and attitude.”

Betterthancheddar “I bought a colt out of the Christian Cullen mare Mamunia that is one of the nicest weanlings we have on the place.

He has that wow factor and is a beautiful looking horse with real presence. He is big and strong with a blaze and two white socks. He has all the credentials to make a twoyear-old. I am really excited about him.”

Mike Heenan – stud master and trainer Auckland Reactor I have had a number of foals by him on the place. All are good legged and of good size with very few faults. They seemed nice young horses to work with.”

Betterthancheddar “I am a real fan of the sire and his stock. I have been really impressed with all of them I have had to work with. They are big strong looking horses of good colour and many have that two-year-old look about them. A number of breeders have told me the same and are also really taken with their Betterthancheddar youngsters.”

Below are a list of Big Jim’s quickest performers and their breeding: DERECHO 1:55.8 (out of a Camluck mare) STAR OF OZ 1:56.8 (out of a Dragons Lair mare) BERNADETTE 1:57.2 (out of an Artiscape mare) MAGNUM J 1:57.8 (out of a Keystone Raider mare) JIMMYS LITTLE GIRL 1:58.4 (out of an Artsplace mare) BIG BANG BOOM 1:58.8 (out of an Artsplace mare)

2015/2016

ROSTER A Rocknroll Dance Alta Christiano Art Major Artiscape (frozen) Auckland Reactor Betterthancheddar Big Jim Courage Under Fire Elsu Gotta Go Cullect Grinfromeartoear Mach Three Majestic Son Peak Shadow Play Smiling Shard Sunshine Beach Village Jasper

Betterthancheddar

ALABAR AUSTRALIA Cnr Fraser Road & Murray Valley Highway, Koyuga, Vic PO Box 129, Tongala, Victoria, Australia, 3621 Tel: (03) 5859 2201 Fax: (03) 5859 2206

ALABAR NEW ZEALAND 480 Seagrove Road, RD4, Pukekohe, 2679, New Zealand Tel: (09) 232 1800 Fax: (09) 232 1799