Turf Monthly July 2021

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TURF

July 2021

THIS MONTH

BERNBOROUGH THE DAYLATE RING IN NEW SIRES FOR 2021 ANOTHER GREAT RACE IN HISTORY

Editor’s Letter This month we start our series on the new stallions going to stud in Australia this season. There are some world class horses, and we are finding some outstanding bloodlines among them. We see another of the Golden Slipper winners going to stud this season, and he features this month. Farnan will be standing at Kia Ora. Perhaps one of the most famous studs in Australia, Kia Ora has not stood a stallion for some time. It is a stud that was owned by the late George Ryder at one point and has stood stallions like Baguette and Gunsynd.

The stud stood the wonderful Magpie and may still hold the record for breeding the most Melbourne Cup winners as they had an incredible association with that race. Another interesting stallion that we look at is Hello Youzmain who stands at another revered stud, this time Cambridge in NZ. An interesting statistic from the Golden Slipper is that only two winners of the race have not been Australian bred. Those winners were both NZ bred horses in Marauding in 1987 and Courtza in 1989. Their sires were Sir Tristram and Pompeii Court. Both stallions went on to great success and both were to also sire G1 winners over two miles.

In the case of Sir Tristram he sired three Melbourne Cup winners in Brew, Gurner’s Lane and Empire Rose who also won a NZ Cup, three Brisbane Cup winners in Queen’s Road, Limitless, Dupain, and one Sydney Cup winner in Trissaro. Pompeii Court sired two time Adelaide Cup winner, Our Pompeii. This highlights that there is a real difference in the Australian and NZ horses, and this is reflected in the type of stallion that succeeds in each region. To be successful in NZ a stallion needs more to their pedigree than the pure speed that often is seen in the locally based Golden Slipper winning stallions. We will be continuing this feature over the next few editions and will try to cover as many of the Freshman sires as we can. On that note, we have published last year’s feature as an e-book entitled Australian Freshman Sires 2020. It is available online at Amazon and other good e-book retailers.

Until next month

CONTENTS 4 8 12 16

Bernborough The Unbeaten Sequence The Ring In Mr Bernie -

another scandal

17

Azallin Romano

18

The Lady In Black

22

Bernborough’s Family

25

His Legacy

28

Freshman Stallions 2021

29

Admire Mars

33

Farnan

38

Hello Youmzain

42

Ole Kirk

46

Wootton Bassett

50

Great Races - 1986 Cox Plate

Ross Prowd

Cover Image HELLO YOUMZAIN standing at Cambridge Stud NZ 2021

Turf Monthly ABN 64 892 144 940 Phone 0412 712 181

Email editor@turfmonthly.com.au Unit 4/125 West St Menzies Qld 4825

TURF MONTHLY 3

BERNBOROUGH A RIVAL TO PHAR LAP

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ith the Winter Carnival in Queensland in full swing, it is appropriate this month to look at most probably the greatest racehorse to come out of that State. There has been so much written about the great Champion but we want to take a fresh approach to his remarkable career and legacy. The story of Bernborough is well known so let us look at a brief background of his early life. We will let the Brisbane Sunday Mail of 3 March 1946 take up the story.

He was bred in 1939 by the late Harry Winten, of Rosalie Plains. Oakey. Bernborough was sold with his dam, Bern Maid, for 155 guineas in 1940, to Mr TURF MONTHLY 4

Frank Bach. Later the colt foal was sold to Mr AE Hadwen for a sum reported at less than 100 guineas.

Mr Hadwen raced Bernborough once as a two-year-old and won with him at Toowoomba. The colt was then leased to J Roberts, who won three more races. Roberts nominated Bernborough for a minor race in Brisbane, but the QTC stewards applied rule 63, which enabled the club to refuse the nomination without explanation.

Bernborough returned to Toowoomba, and won several races, but his troubles were not over. Hot favourite for a Toowoomba Cup in 1943, as a three-year-old, he was withdrawn on the day of the race. As a result, the

Toowoomba Club refused his nomination for a period of nearly six months, and with only two outings at that age he did not race again until a four-year-old. One offer of 3500 guineas for Bernborough came from Melbourne, but the horse was not for sale. Roberts' lease expired at the close of Bernborough's three-year-old career, and Mr Hadwen decided to race the colt again himself, and sent him to Sydney. But again, Bernborough was refused a run because of the absence of a clearance from the QTC. After being beaten in last year's Weetwood Handicap and Cup at Toowoomba, he was sent to Brisbane to be trained at Deagon by Ernie Peck. During this time efforts had been made to have the rule 62 ban lifted, but without success. Last August Mr Hadwen sent the horse to Newcastle, but again he was not allowed to race. The horse was then bought at auction by Mr AO Romano for 2600 guineas.

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arry Winten had died in 1939, and it was the dispersal of his property that saw Bern Maid sold to Frank Bach in 1940, for the mediocre price of 155 guineas along with her foal by Emborough. It is often considered that because of the price that Bern Maid and Emborough were unfashionable horses, but this was not true. Emborough was a recent arrival to the Darling Downs, and Bernborough was from his first crop. He proved to be a successful stallion and also produced Dorrie Wyn from the same crop who won the QTC MCDougall Stakes, the first major 2yo race for the season and a great start to a career. Emborough was to go on to sire 15 stakes winners in total, although none matched the deeds of Bernborough. Among his stakes-winners were Doomben Cup winner, Gay Felt, three-time Newcastle Cameron Handicap winner, Homeleigh Dick, three time Toowoomba Cup winner, hat gets us up to where we want to start our story. Navleigh, AJC Fernhill Handicap winner, Souvenir His career with Harry Plant and AO Romano saw and QTC Stradbroke winner, Wedborough. persistent rumour over the years has been that him become the idol of a nation. But before we start Emborough was not the sire of Bernborough. the story of Bernborough the idol, it is worth reflecting on some of the reasons that saw him originally earn The basis for the rumour was that it was alleged to be common practice in the day to cover a mare with the ire of the racing establishment.

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Bernborough’s Doomben Cup.win TURF MONTHLY 5

one of the stud’s proven stallions to improve the early success of a newcomer. In this case, that was Spearfelt who had covered the mare previously. The rumour falls down when we look at Bern Maid. While she was a poor racehorse, finishing unplaced in all of her eight starts, she proved a top-quality broodmare, and this holds true even if we were to ignore Bernborough for a moment. Her first foal in 1925 by a non-Studbook stallion in Paddington was Paddy Bernard. He won 14 of his 39 starts with nine of these in Brisbane including the QTC Hopeful Stakes. She then rather inexplicably returned to racing and did not produce another foal until Brown Paddy by Magpie in 1929. Also a quality racehorse, he won 6 races from 30 starts including the QTC Sires’ Produce, Qld St Leger, Champagne Stakes and Exhibition Handicap. Next was Bernie Ross in 1931 who was by Ross Gun, another non-Studbook stallion, and he won 13 races including the Ipswich Cup of 1936.

The following year Bern Maid produced a full sister

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to Bernie Ross in Ross Maid who was unplaced from only four starts. Another brother to these in Ross Bay followed in 1933 and he won four races from 38 starts including the BATC Trial Handicap. After a year off, Bern Maid produced Spear Bern by Spearfelt who won nine races although most were in the country with one win at Albion Park. After another year off, a daughter

by Spearfelt called Inviolate arrived and was to win seven races including one at Albion Park although the rest were in the country. After another year off she was put in foal to Emborough, her final foal that we know as Bernborough. Considering that she had already had two foals by Spearfelt who were moderate performers, it seemed unlikely that there was much to gain by substituting Spearfelt for Emborough. The death of Harry Winten who had bred Bernborough and the subsequent sale of his stock made for rumours to circulate unchecked. Racing is full of “what ifs” and that was one of those moments. Had the breeder lived,

the whole saga was likely to have been avoided but Bernborough might not have had the career he had.

seeing as the mare was never put in foal again. Jack had made arrangements with his father, Frank Bach ome accounts of the sale of Bern Maid have a to pay for his purchase from his cheque account. He different version of events than that of the Courier would then reimburse his father when he secured Mail. Bern Maid and her foal by Emborough were payment from Albert Hadwen for the Emborough foal.

Lot 3 at the auction of Harry Winten’s stock which Everything so far seems to be going along nicely, but consisted of 25 thoroughbreds, including some that would soon change. Jack Bach had no idea that mares with foals at foot. Bidding on Lot 3 consisted his payment for Lot 3 with a cheque drawn by his of just a few bids before the mare and her foal were father was to have ramifications that would be felt by knocked-down to Mr Jack Bach for 155 guineas. Jack nearly every person connected with the bay foal for came from a farming family that also bred and raised many years to come. Albert Hadwen supposedly was horses on their property “Woodbine.” Jack’s interest happy with the purchase that Jack Bach made on his in Lot 3 was supposedly confined to the mare, Bern behalf but the Emborough colt who he would register Maid, who had already proved that she was capable of as “Bernborough” stayed at the Bach’s family property, producing winning offspring. The foal was allegedly where he was broken-in and educated for his future for Mr Albert Hadwen, a good friend of Jack Bach’s racing career. In January 1941, before Bernborough and an avid horse lover and sportsman. Hadwen had had raced, Frank Bach, was charged with “ringingreportedly asked Bach to keep an eye out for a good in” offences at Brisbane and Bundamba which had a young horse for him and Jack Bach thought that the dramatic effect on the career of Bernborough. It is a Emborough – Bern Maid foal would fill the bill nicely. story we will tell a little later.

A query over this version of events could be raised

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watch video in text mode TURF MONTHLY 7

BERNBOROUGH THE UNBEATEN SEQUENCE

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ernborough raced exclusively in Toowoomba until the end of his 5yo season.

As a 2yo he won four of his five starts. He was unbeaten in his four starts as a 3yo. He raced only twice the following year running third in the Boxing Day Handicap and finishing unplaced in the 1944 Weetwood over 6 furlongs carrying 9.3 (58.5kg). Both times the races were won by Abruzzi. As a 5yo he was unplaced behind Abruzzi in a Welter before finally turning the tables on that horse in the Spring Handicap carrying 8.9 (55kg). Bernborough was then unplaced in his next three starts including the Weetwood behind Narringo when he carried 9.6 (60kg), and in the Toowoomba Cup over 9f behind Abruzzi again carrying the same weight.

Bernborough pulled up sore after the run on 2 April and there was even doubt

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Bernborough winning the Futurity

over whether he would race again. He was sent to Deagon trainer Ernie Peck in the hope that Peck might find the reason for Bernborough’s lameness. Bernborough was found to be suffering from corns in both front feet and these were cut out in the hope that his regular feet issues would be rectified. He bounced back with two wins at the same meeting on 30 June 1945 before he was beaten over 6f carrying an incredible 10.12 (69kg) to close out his 5yo season. Hadwen had now come to the realisation that the QTC was never going to lift the ban on Bernborough and he sent the horse to Sydney trainer, Harry Plant to prepare for sale on 5 October. Plant realised that the horse was something special and he urged prominent restaurateur, Azzalin Orlando (AO) Romano to purchase the horse. What Bernborough did next though was to make the world stop and pay notice.

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ernborough stepped out for his new connections on 8 December 1945 in a Flying Handicap over 7.25 furlongs in a field of 16 at Canterbury. Ridden by Noel “Digger” McGrowdie and carrying 9.3 (58.5kg), Bernborough finished fourth.

Athol Mulley was on board for the stallion’s next start in the Villiers at Randwick over a mile. In fact, Mulley was to ride the champion for the rest of his career, until his last start in the Mackinnon Stakes. The ride went to Bill Briscoe following Bernborough’s controversial defeat in the Caulfield Cup. Bernborough carried 9.3 (58.5kg) in a field of 13 and started a remarkable string of victories that was to eclipse the record held by the legendary Phar Lap. A week later, he was back to 6 furlongs to win the Carrington Stakes at the odds of 6/4. Bernborough only started in black figures twice more in his career. He started next on 28 January 1946 in the Australia Day Stakes over 7 furlongs. Next it was the Futurity over 7 furlongs at Caulfield on his first trip to Melbourne. He was saddled with 10.2 (64.5kg), and then went to the Newmarket at Flemington back over 6 furlongs with 9.13 (63kg).

Bernborough win number 15 in the Caulfield Stakes TURF MONTHLY 9

It was then back to Sydney for the Autumn winning the weight for age Rawson, Chipping Norton and All-Aged Stakes at distances from a mile to 10 furlongs. Bernborough then returned to Brisbane for the Winter having his only two starts ever in that city, both interestingly at the BATC run Doomben. He carried 10.4 (65.5kg) to win the TM Ahern, the forerunner to the Doomben 10,000 over 6.5 furlongs and then 10.11 (68.5kg) to win the Doomben Cup over 11 furlongs a week later.

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ernborough returned for the Spring on 31 August 1946 winning the Warwick Stakes at Randwick over 7 furlongs. Two weeks later it was a victory in the Chelmsford Stakes over 9 furlongs and then the Hill Stakes over 8.5 furlongs a week after that, beating the start Sydney mare, Flight to take his winning run to 13. It was then to Melbourne and the mile at Flemington for win number 14 in the Melbourne Stakes to equal Phar Lap’s record. An effortless win in the Caulfield Stakes then took his winning run to 15. That win prompted the famed Sol Green to say that Bernborough was better than Phar Lap.

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ernborough then carried 10.1 (64kg) in the Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs and started at 7/4. The mile and a half together with the big weight proved too much for the champion who struggled home to finish a well beaten fifth behind Royal Gem who carried over a stone less than Bernborough. He then went to the Mackinnon Stakes which saw him tragically break down. A break in a sesamoid bone saw him pulled up at the turn when he appeared to be cruising alongside Flight sparking emotional scenes not only at Flemington but across the country.

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he retirement of Bernborough did not lessen his fame and a stud career beckoned. There was international interest in the star, and he was purchased by Louis B Mayer, the Hollywood film magnate for a reported £90,000 pounds. He was also publicly to give Romano a gift of a a £1,500 car. Mayer had significant thoroughbred interests in the US and although he ended up disposing of much of his empire, Mayer insisted on retaining Bernborough for his Spendthrift Stud.

Bernborough defeats Flight in the 1946 Chipping Norton TURF MONTHLY 10

Bernborough has a moderately inbred pedigree even if the closest duplication is not until the fifth generation (7.42%). It many ways it can be considered very typical of the time as we see duplications of the renowned stallions Hampton and St Simon. Bernborough carries Hampton on both sides of his pedigree, interesting appearing twice on each within six generations through both a son and a daughter. St Simon appears twice within five generations in the pedigree of Emborough, again through a son and a daughter. He appears through a son in the pedigree of damsire, Bernard. We also see the presence of duplications of the sire of both Hampton and St Simon in Lord Clifden and Galopin respectively. Lord Clifden appears through another son in Wenlock while Galopin appears through two daughters Galicia and Atalanta interestingly in both main sire lines.

THE RING IN

Brulad at Ascot 1939

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he Bach family was well known on the Darling Downs. Frank and his wife owned a large property around Oakey which was not far from the current Army base. Frank, who is sometimes referred to as Fred, had at least four sons; Colin, Jack (John R), Frank Jnr and Edward. The first three were to own property in South East Queensland, while Edward, it seems, worked and lived on Frank Jnr’s property. It was Frank Senior’s name on the docket of sale for Bern Maid and her colt foal by Emborough in 1940. It was later claimed that the purchase was on behalf of his son Jack. The family had a strong interest in racing and breeding. In 1936 Frank sent his son to a Toowoomba sale to purchase a mare called Lady Chillinton in foal to Brutus, a son of Magpie. He paid 15 guineas and the resultant foal became a very good racehorse called Brulad, raced by Bach. This sounded very similar to the Bern Maid purchase which would suggest that Frank Snr intended to race Bernborough personally. Brulad won the Oxley Nursery Handicap at Ascot early as a 2yo and went on to run fourth in the Claret Stakes behind Spearace when carrying 9.2 (58kg) and trained by Con Doyle. Later that season he was heavily backed by the stable to win a Juvenile Handicap at Eagle Farm at the Easter meeting in 1939. In that race he beat the glamour 2yo Brisbane River by Spearfelt who was later to win the Sires’ Produce; a race that Brulad was ineligible for. In May Brulad went out for a spell and returned to racing in November but this time in the care of Clive Morgan. He had his last race on 17 February after a disappointing campaign and was sent back to the Bach property, with Morgan advising that the gelding needed a long spell. It

Daylate at Bundamba 1941

was later claimed by Jack Bach that the horse had arrived in such bad condition that he had died. Jack and two others, it was claimed, assisted in burning the remains.

Brulad had carried no brand.

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horse called Daylate, recorded as being by Listowel out of Ferniehurst and carrying a brand of a diamond NX, was first taken to the races on 23 October 1940 at Warwick. The brand was registered to Mr Bertie Nicol who had owned the Woodbine property at Oakey before the Bachs. It was registered in 1925 and cancelled on 5 February 1938. Daylate started in a Hack race over 900m on the first day of a two-day Centenary Warwick Cup carnival. He was ridden by Russell Maddock who was to win the Warwick Cup that year on Rivoli Gift. Daylate started at 7/1 and finished a length and a quarter behind the winner, My Don. Maddock saw the horse, Daylate, for the first time on the morning of the race, giving him an early gallop. He was engaged by the trainer, Percy Strickley whose name was often spelled Strickly. The horse was nominated by the owner, a Mr J Jackson. Frank Bach snr was at the races that day, and Maddock rode List Lad for him who finished fourth in the Third Division. Maddock said that there was an understanding at Warwick that he would ride Daylate at Ipswich on 20 November.

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t Ipswich, Daylate took the lead in the straight and drew away for a convincing 1.5 length victory. He started at 6/1. Bach was at the races, and Maddock later testified that he had said that he was having a few pounds on Daylate. Bach sought out Maddock after the race and gave him £50 which he told him was a gift from the owner. At his next start on December 11, Daylate finished third over 5.5 f (1100m).

He started at 9/2 and finished third behind Belle Bassie. Interestingly Bach’s List Lad also started in the race at 20/1. He actually led for much of the race, but tired to finish last. Daylate was to race next at Ascot on December 26. This time he was to finish fourth. Trainer McIlwrick in his evidence stated that he introduced Frank Bach Jnr to QTC Steward, Mr Lynch as Mr Jackson, because he had earlier been introduced to Bach as Jackson by one of his younger brothers. He also said that on December 26 Daylate was brought by Bach in a float to his stables. Jackson, whom TURF MONTHLY 13

he had met only twice, was in the float. After the races that day the horse was left in his charge. Jackson also sent £3 to pay for the horse's training.

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aylate won again at Ascot on 4 January in the Third Trial Handicap starting at 6/1. He won comfortably by a length and a half. An off-duty steward Steve Bowen was on the track that day. He was suspicious and after the race, closely inspected Daylate.

His conclusion: “That horse isn’t Daylate. It is Brulad.” Brulad was well known in the city from his 2yo days. Bowen remembered that Brulad was unusual for the fact that whenever he tossed his mane, the hair would split peculiarly into three sections and fall in an unusual way. He noticed the same strange characteristic about Daylate also. Daylate was nominated for the Ipswich Hundred on 15 January 1942. On the thirteenth, he was inspected again by Stewards, this time in company with trainer Con Doyle who had earlier trained Brulad. Apart from the brand, the age of which no one was certain, he claimed that the horse in the stable was identical to the one he trained. Daylate was scratched from the race, and on the night of January 15, 1941, Detective Prentice was observing the stable of McIlwrick at Hendra. About 10pm he saw Bach enter the stable, and a short while later intercepted him leading the horse Daylate away from the stables. When questioned, Bach identified himself as Jackson, although he later claimed at a hearing that he said he was taking the horse to Jackson. There were two cars parked at the end of the street, but the occupants refused to identify themselves. Bach said that he was expecting a float to meet him, but it never arrived. Prentice also stated that a little later that evening that Bach had said to him, “Now you’ve got me, there’s no one else in this. There is only me. I am Jackson. I suppose I’ll get life. I’ll take full responsibility for everything.

Provided there is no persecution I am prepared to return all the prize money won by the horse.”

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he hearing into the ring-ins was major news and extensively reported. It included evidence from Doyle, Maddock, McIlwrick and others including Frank Bach Senior. Both Jack Bach and Percy Strickley declined to attend. The QTC even had evidence from a handwriting expert who testified that the person who signed the nominations for Daylate under the name of Jackson was identical to the one who nominated all of Bach’s other horses and signed for the Prizemoney cheques. Frank Bach Senior and Daylate were disqualified for life while Strickley was outed for five years.

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here was further confusion to the case when Frank Senior, Frank Junior and Percy Strickley were tried on related charges in a case that commenced on 2 October 1941. One charge related to the shooting of police who attended Frank Jnr’s property.

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It would seem that conflicting evidence was given as to who fired the gun, although there was no dispute of the wounding. Frank Jnr was charged with the shooting, but during the trial claimed it was Frank Snr who fired. The other charge which also named Percy Strickley was for conspiracy to obtain money from PJ O’Shea (the QTC Chairman) and others by fraudulent means. Bach had by then repaid the prizemoney for the races to the rightful owners.

Over the years some of the story has come to suggest that the Bachs’ had been acquitted of the whole saga, and that there should never have been any question over eligibility in Bernborough’s ownership. This simply is untrue. We must remember that it was in January 1942, less than three months after the criminal trial that Bernborough had his first start in Toowoomba. It was in May that the QTC officials refused his nomination. It is unlikely to be a coincidence that Bernborough’s registration papers and the sale to Mr Hadwen was dated 2 October 1941, the same day as the Bach’s trial on conspiracy charges started.

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rank Bach Senior was certainly one who was willing to flout the laws. In 1947 he was escorted from the Toowoomba Turf Club on three occasions within a month. Being “warned off ” meant that he was not allowed to attend race meetings.

Bach claimed that he had wanted to watch his son’s horse race which ultimately finished last at 7/4 on. Before leaving the track though, Frank was allowed to collect a winning bet after which time he had left without fuss. He watched the end of the race from the car park, but it certainly makes you wonder what horse he had collected on. As a final word from Frank Senior during an interview with Charles McQuillan of the Truth newpaper in 1947, Frank Snr is reported as saying “I don't deny that I did it. It started over a conversation, in which I stated that it would be easy, under the control of Queensland racing, to ring-in a horse. I was laid £30 that I could not do so. I accepted the bet in a fit of devilment and Daylate was the result nobody suffered financially.’” Bach did fail to mention that there were large betting coups on the races. The jockey was given much more than the original wager in a gift after his first win at Ipswich. The horse was substituted on multiple occasions, presumably after the original wager would have been paid. It would seem that this may not have been the only omission that the Bach’s made in the story of Bernborough. Then again, Bernborough’s legend transcends racing, so it is only fitting that the stories surrounding him reflect his larger-than-life status.

Brulad winning Easter 1939

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MR BERNIE

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umours the diary contained abounded personal information, on the Darling but he did say that Mr Bernie and his trainer Colin Bach Downs that he had a JP read the there were some of Bernborough’s foals born there. notation and presented that as evidence. Bach also One persistent rumour was that the good horse, Black claimed to have provided the names of witnesses to Law was in fact by Bernborough. He was to win the the mating. None of this proved sufficient and both the VRC Bagot Handicap in 1948 over 14 furlongs. Black QTC and AJC ultimately ruled that any reference to Law was foaled in 1942 which would have meant that the name of Bernborough would not be allowed, and Bernborough had just turned two when he was said to the colt was recorded in the Stud Book as being by an have sired him. Interestingly Black Law ran in the 1946 unidentified sire.

Caulfield Cup that saw Bernborough’s winning streak he colt was passed in at sale in early 1948, when a come to an end. It seems highly unlikely that this 3yo. He was then sold to Sydney trainer Bob Mead rumour was true, but it was not the only one. Again, for 2000 guineas on the proviso that Bach submitted the story traces to the Bach family. Bernborough spent his diary with the date of service. As we know, this was long periods spelling when racing in Toowoomba. He not to happen, and the sale fell through. Retained by spent one of these on the property of Jack Bach near Bach, the colt was to race as Otairi under lease by Mr Dalby. Jack Bach claimed that he knew of four foals JRA Taylor, an MLA for Maranoa. Taylor held a five

by Bernborough. One was out of a mare called Miss year lease on the colt. He showed promise winning Shirley who was a half-brother to the well performed his maiden by four lengths at Bundamba at his first Mr Pelt. Bach also claimed to have a chestnut filly, appearance on the track when a 4yo. Otairi went to while there was supposedly a colt on his brother Colin’s Sydney after his win and had success there. He was property near Dalby and another black colt on a family to win four of his first nine starts including wins at property near Kilcoy. The local papers in chasing up Albion Park and Doomben before spelling at the Bach the story spoke with Frank Bach Snr who claimed that property at Wellcamp. Taylor threatened legal action Mr Bernie, as he was then known, was the only colt by against the Bach family when he alleged that they Bernborough on the Downs. It is certainly true that he refused to return the horse after spelling. Otairi was was the only one that made the papers even if the story also to change trainer from Cliff Pile at Deagon to EB may have been questionable.

Ross. He had a moderate career although always in the

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he colt was originally to be named Mr Bernie, but the Registrar of Racehorses refused to approve the name. The AJC requested that Jack Bach substantiated his claim that Bernborough was the sire by presenting his diary of the covering. Bach refused claiming that

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spotlight. Otairi was to win the Oakey Cup in 1950.

By then he was trained by Colin Bach and his later career saw him running in country meetings around the Downs retiring in 1954.

A O ROMANO Romano, Azzalin Orlando (1894–1972)

by John Ritchie

This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11, (MUP), 1988

His business flourished with the patronage of American officers and the unlicensed sale of liquor during World War II and in the immediate years that followed. In 1947 he also acquired and lavishly rebuilt the Commercial Hotel, renamed Romano's, at Wagga Wagga. Giving his name as Romano Orlando Azzalin, he reluctantly gave evidence in 1952 to the State royal commission on the liquor laws.

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is restaurant employed a staff of 80, and featured an orchestra, concealed lighting, 138 wall-mirrors and a bust of Napoleon by Dr Charles MacCarthy; from his farm at Baulkham Hills, Romano supplied vegetables, poultry and pork for a menu that listed 370 dishes. With its sumptuous elegance, Romano's became a social rendezvous for the wealthy who wore evening dress; its international standards and cuisine attracted such visitors as Prince Philip, Vivien Leigh and Maurice Chevalier. Yet, although equated with bon ton, an evening at Romano's was not beyond the reach of less affluent people celebrating a special occasion. Sydney's only other fashionable night club was James Charles Bendrodt's Prince's Restaurant.

zzalin Orlando Romano (1894-1972), restaurateur, was born on 13 September 1894 at Padua, Italy, son of Alessandro Azzalin and his wife Benvegnu'Anna, née Nessuna. Christened Romano Orlando, he spent his childhood at Verona where his father was a postal official.

Migrating with his family to England in 1910, after a brief ith hair slicked back, an aquiline nose and pencileducation Azzalin began work as a page in the Vienna thin moustache, Mr Romano dressed in white tie and Hotel, Bristol, and attended night school. In 1912-14 he wandered from job to job at hotels and restaurants in Nice, tails and seldom unbent in his proprietorial role. A member Monte Carlo, Paris, Berlin and Madrid, before returning to of the Royal Empire Society and Tattersall's and the Royal England in November 1914. Taking a job as a hotel waiter Automobile clubs, he relaxed with music and song at his in London, he married a Belgian, Pauline Roelandt, on 4 Bellevue Hill home and enjoyed golf and motoring. After September 1915. He rose through a pyramidal structure years of moderate success on the turf, late in 1945 he bought from receptionist to cook and from waiter to wine butler; he Bernborough which won fifteen successive races before had learned to speak French, German, Spanish and English, 'Azzalin the Dazzlin' sold him to the American movie-mogul in addition to his native Italian, and claimed to have served Louis B. Mayer. Having disposed of his restaurant in 1964, Romano saw it converted into a discotheque where go-go every king in Europe. girls twisted the night away. Bedridden in his Point Piper n his early twenties, while officiating as head waiter at flat and subject to heart attacks, he died on 6 November London's Ritz Hotel, he adopted Romano as his surname, 1972 and was cremated with Catholic rites. His wife Alice reflecting his regard for one of the city's most renowned Emma Wyke Brown, a daughter and a son survived him. restaurants. When managing the Hyde Park Hotel he met Percy Stewart Dawson who persuaded him to come to Australia in 1923 to run the plush Ambassadors restaurant in Pitt Street, Sydney; he arrived in September and was followed by his wife. Four years later Romano's Restaurant opened in York Street. Throughout the Depression his establishment prospered, largely because of its low coststructure. In 1938 he moved premises to the basement of the new Prudential Insurance Building in Martin Place, next door to the Prince Edward Theatre in Castlereagh Street.

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The Lady In Black

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nother intriguing story surrounding Bernborough is the “Lady In Black.”

Johanna Taks’ story represents the best and the worst of gambling, and Australian society of the day in some ways. he Press described Ms Taks as being alternatively from Hungary, from Austria, and from Germany. She was hugely secretive making the media even more intrigued by the story. She was actually born on a farm outside Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, in 1904. Taks learned dressmaking, hairdressing and other crafts and studied foreign languages. She owned a hairdressing business in Tallinn for seven years and had a little more than £1000 with her, together with her jewels and mink, when migrating in 1939. Police interviewed her on four occasions suspecting her of being a Russian spy.

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he met and fell in love with a man who proved to not be what he seemed. He was married and the relationship ended, but he was a gambler who liked to go to the races. He told Johanna tales of the track and the excitement drew her to the turf, in the romantic hope that she may one day meet up with him again. Her first day at the races saw her back Flight when she won the Craven Plate at 10/1 and Taks was hooked. Other horses that she won on in the early days of going to the track were Yaralla, Swan River, Hall Stand, Silverelda, Dick Whittington and Murray Stream.

Johanna had discovered a bright new world. Then came Bernborough. Taks did not back him when he was beaten in his first race at Canterbury, but backed him in the Villiers Stakes with a bet of £10 at 3/1. She increased her bet to £100 at 6/4 when he won the Carrington Stakes. She laid odd-on for the first time when Bernie won the Australia Day Handicap at 6/4 on and seh decided to follow him at every start. She gradually kept building her stake until she was regularly wagering £1000. This began to draw not only the attention of the betting ring, but of the Press. Taks clashed angrily with a Sydney bookmaker betting on the Doomben Ten Thousand when he did not want to bet starting price about Bernborough. By the time Bernborough had won the Warwick Stakes, the Chelmsford Stakes and the Hill Stakes, all at oddson, Taks had built up her bank to just on £14,000.

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n the day before Bernborough’s winning streak ended in the Caulfield Cup, Taks withdrew £8000 from the bank. She had another £1000 on hand. The newspapers reported that Taks lost £6500 on Bernborough that day. But it was much more with Taks admitting to losing all of the £9000. In a later interview, with The Truth newspaper in 1954, Taks said, “The let-down was terrific, but I tried to put on a brave face. I made a joke with one of the bookmakers and told him I had run out of cash. He gave me £2 to bet with. I placed the £2 on New Yorker in the next race. New Yorker ran second.”

1946 Caulfield Cup finish TURF MONTHLY 19

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hat was not the end of the story as Taks was determined to keep backing Bernborough. She had only one bet of £1600 to £400 on in the Mackinnon Stakes. She said, “That was perhaps the worst day of my life. I wept openly when the news came through that Bernborough had broken down and would never race again. I had come to love the horse.” Taks kept punting but was on losing streak.

When she had little more than £2000 left, she backed Temeraire who won two races in a row in the Breeders' Plate and the Kirkham Stakes. Taks had the notion that he might follow in Bernborough's footsteps. “I was determined to invest £1000 on him at his next start in the December Stakes. The bookmakers were calling 'Take 14’s.’ They closed their bags when I came along, so I decided to try the tote. I put the £1000 into the tote window and waited,” Taks said. “Temeraire duly beat Nizam's Ring by four lengths easily. Imagine my dismay when the winning dividend was shown at 5s, which meant that I received my £1000 back with no profit whatever.”

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s a final word from Johanna Taks, “I did not weep about my losses. I set about getting steady work for myself as a dressmaker and I have eked out a living ever since. I have been criticised for being stupid. But I guess it was my fate. I will always be a gambler, but I would not be so silly if I won big money again. Cynical friends say this is not likely. But who knows what lies ahead? Perhaps Lady Luck, will smile again.” It didn’t, but the story is another of the strange tales that followed the remarkable Bernborough.

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BERNBOROUGH HIS FAMILY

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ernborough as everyone knows is by Emborough out of Bern Maid. We have already discussed the other progeny of Bern Maid who was a very good broodmare even without the success of Bernborough. His sire Emborough was to prove a quality stallion as well, and we have also touched on his performances. The family of Bernborough traces to the most populous female family in the Stud Book; Bruce Lowe’s number one family. It would not be a story of Bernborough though if we did not have controversy. In the study that has become more widely known as the Hill MtDNA study, one of the most significant discrepancies in heritage was identified as the line tracing from Maid Of The Glen. They concluded that at some point a mare from this line was recorded as belonging to the number 1 family when in fact the MtDNA sequencing indicate that it is likely that some, if not all of Maid Of The Glen’s descendants, are not members of that family. Most would seem to trace to the number 16 family. Maid Of The Glen (1858) and most of her siblings were bred at the stud of Richard Sutton Jr. The mare Lady Alice of the 16 family and a daughter of the famous Miss Agnes was also in residence at the stud at the time, and it would seem that this may be where the error occurred. With more testing we will one day solve at least this mystery. Bernborough traces to Maid Of The Glen.

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he dam of Bern Maid was Bridesmaid, whose name is sometimes written Bride’smaid, who was imported to Australia in the early part of the twentieth century. She had two recorded foals in Bern Maid and Breccia both by the imported stallion Bernard. They were bred by Percy Reynolds at Hobartville Stud. Bernard was a good stallion producing 15 stakes winners including Sires Produce and Derby winner, Ardglen, dual winner of both the Kings Plate and Royal Stakes in Fairy Bob, Qld Cup, Sires Produce and Derby winner, Wee Glen, as well as VRC Standish winner, Whiz Bang and AJC Warwick Stakes, and VRC Standish and Newmarket Handicap winner, Sunburst. Breccia was to produce one stakes-winner in Bernfield

by Highfield who won the 1929 Qld Guineas and Qld Derby. He retired the following season after suffering from chronic leg conditions but was returned to racing some two years later to win races in Townsville. He was importantly originally trained by Harry Plant and no doubt his success played a role in the Bernborough story. Sadly, there are no recorded descendants of this Australian line in existence.

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ridesmaid was a daughter of Best Man out of Bruyere by Wisdom. She had a half-sister by Fitz James called Furze Bush. That line was to go to France in the 1920’s where it thrived becoming on of the most important lines coming from that region. The success of the line has been ensured by a stallion called Montjeu who was actually bred in Ireland being a son of the great Sadler’s Wells. Montjeu won 11 of his 16 starts including the French and Irish Derbies, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Tattersalls Gold Cup, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He proved a wonderful stallion and shuttled to New Zealand for four seasons in the early 2000’s. Montjeu produced over 20 stakes winners in his brief stint in the Southern Hemisphere including G1 winners, Nom Du Jeu who won the 2008 AJC Australian Derby, Tavistock who won the Waikato Draught Sprint and Mudgway Stakes, and Wall Street who won the Thorndon Mile, Kit Ormond Memorial Spring Classic, VRC Emirates Stakes and Windsor Park Challenge. His Northern Hemisphere bred horses include 2014 Sydney Cup winner, The Offer, three time Coronation Cup and Breeders Cup winner, St Nicholas Abbey, Epsom Derby winners, Pour Moi and Motivator, three time Canadian Woodbine International winner, Joshua Tree, Arc De Triomphe and Irish Derby winner, Hurricane Run, 2012 Melbourne Cup winner, Green Moon and Epsom Derby, 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby winner, Camelot who is the sire of Russian Camelot. Montjeu is continuing an impressive record with his descendant. As well as his many sire sons like Camelot, Hurricane Run and watch video in text mode

Russian Camelot winning the SA Derby

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Authorized, Montjeu’s daughters are playing a role with the stallion now appearing as the damsire of Charm Spirit, a good stallion by Invincible Spirit who currently shuttles to NZ.

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his particular line also gave us a stallion called Beresford who was an important influence before WWII in England and Europe. He produced another good stallion in Portlaw who was the damsire of Edmundo who came to Australia to give us quality runners like Cabachon (AJC Epsom, Stradbroke) and Kilshery (two AllAged Stakes, Stradbroke and Oakleigh Plate.) Few from the line have been as good as Nearula by Nasrullah who won six stakes races including the Two Thousand Guineas, Middle Park Stakes and Champion Stakes. His son Red Gauntlet came to Australia in the 1960’s with considerable success producing the likes of Gay Gauntlet (two Warwick Stakes, Doomben 10,000, Theo Marks), The Monk (Qld Cup), and Prince Gauntlet (two Ascot Handicaps, Doomben Stakes and Qld Sires’ Produce).

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loser to home there have been lines of the family that have excelled. Many will remember the good gallopers Protara’s Bay and Double Gin who were popular stayers of the 1990’s and hailed from this family. Another a little earlier was Beer Street who ran fifth in the 1970 Melbourne Cup after winning the Herbert Power and Caulfield Cup earlier that year. He was to produce a son called Watney who was to win three stakes races including the G1 VRC Pure Pak Stakes, QTC Stradbroke Handicap and AJC All-Aged Stakes.

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ithout doubt the most important member of the family since Bernborough arrived in Australia in the 1950’s when imported by Stanley Wootton. That mare was called Oriana by Colombo out of Orama and she was to change the shape of Australian breeding. Her first two sons by Wootton’s imported stallion Star Kingdom were called Todman and Noholme and neither need any introduction. watch video in text mode

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1970 Caulfield Cup won by Beer Street

BERNBOROUGH HIS LEGACY

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hile Australia remembers Bernborough as the champion racehorse, if you were in the US you would remember him as a great stallion. He was among the top stallions of his day standing at Mayer’s Spendthrift Farm and finishing near the top of the US Sires Tables. Among his best progeny were Berseem champion American sprinter, Bernwood who established a new world record for a mile, First Aid who won the Whitney Handicap, and High Scud who won the Kent Stakes and Inglewood Handicap.

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ernborough’s daughter Briartic won 9 of her 32 starts including the Acorn Stakes and Vosburgh Handicap as a 3yo against older males. At stud she was produced a daughter called Sweet Lady Briar by Round Table who raced in Canada, setting a new track record at Woodbine over 7 furlongs on turf. She in turn was mated with Nearctic to produce Briartic. He won 19 races from the ages of two to five years and went on to become a solid stallion producing Canadian champions Steady Growth, Hope For A Breeze, Phoenix Factor and Son Of Briartic. His daughter Sweet Briar Too was mated with Danzig to produce the outstanding Langfuhr who shuttled to Australia from 1998 to 2003. Langfuhr is an inductee into the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame. While he was here, he produced a number of good horses including Absolutelyfabulous, Frightening, Black Tom and Devil Inside but it was back in

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watch video in text mode

First Aid winning the 1955 Whitney Handicap

the USA that he established his reputation. Among his progeny there were Wando, 2003 Canadian Triple Crown Champion and Canadian Horse of the Year, Mobil, the 2004 Canadian Champion Older Horse, Kimchi, 2006 Canadian Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, and Lawyer Ron, winner of the Arkansas Derby, Whitney Handicap and Woodward Stakes, and Jambalaya, winner of the 2007 Breeders' Cup Turf Stakes and the Arlington Million. In addition, he had success in Japan with Apollo Kentucky who won the 2016 Tokyo Daishoten. His daughter Kadasha has produce Augusta Proud who won the 2008 Magic Millions and has produced the stakes winning Thyme For Roses.

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t was the sons of Bernborough that ensured his legacy. Hook Money raced well in the UK winning nine races including the Ayr Gold Cup, Harewood Handicap Salford Borough Handicap and running third in the July Cup. He can commonly

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Rena’s Lady.winning the 2007 Australasian Oaks

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be found in pedigrees and it was a daughter of his in Hookborough who left a line that gave us the 2007 Adrian Knox and AJC Oaks winner, Rena’s Lady and her half-brother Vatuvei who won the Moonee Valley Cup and VRC St Leger. Another daughter of Hook Money in Grove Hall was to leave a line that gave us Getting Closer who won two G1 races in the WA Railway Stakes and Rothman’s 10,000. He was a regular source of winners at stud without producing anything of particular note, and he now becomes increasingly difficult to find in pedigrees. The same mare also gave us a line that produced the stallion Al Akbar by Success Express. Al Akbar is best known as the damsire of the legendary Winx.

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nother daughter of Hook Money in Clariden produced a son called Superlative who won the G3 July Stakes and G2 Flying Childers Stakes in England as well as being placed in the G1 Middle Park Stakes and the Prix Robert Papin in France.

Superlative produced a German champion in Kornado who won seven stakes races and went on to become a very good stallion in that country himself siring Lierac, Monos, Pryor and Shapira. Superlative also had a daughter who produced Fard, a winner of the Middle Park Stakes who stood at stud in South Africa.

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et another daughter of Hook Money produced Gay Wendy who is the dam of Biscawong who won three stakes races including The Shorts and Carrington Handicap. He was a very good stallion producing Wonga Prince who won the G1 AJC Sires’ Produce and Our Horizon who won the G3 Skyline and BATC Coca Cola Bottler’s Classic. Both colts went on to solid stud careers and can still regularly be found in pedigrees.

1985 AJC Sires Produce Wonga Prince

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FRESHMAN

SIRES 2021

ADMIRE MARS FARNAN HELLO YOUMZAIN OLE KIRK WOOTTON BASSETT

ADMIRE MARS

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dmire Mars has to be one of the most interesting stallions to come to Australia in recent years. Standing at Arrowfield, the champion Japanese 2yo has a pedigree that will probably confuse a few breeders at first glance. It is a pedigree though that includes influences we are very familiar with and he should be a valuable addition to the stallion roster. On the track Admire Mars was the winner of six of thirteen starts, with five of these at G1 level. His career earnings that equate of almost AUD$6 million puts him among the top racehorses internationally. His unbeaten 2yo season included wins in the G1 Hanshin Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes and the G2 Kyoto Daily Hai Nisai Stakes both over 1600m. At three he won the Hong Kong Mile and Tokyo NHK Mile Cup. Returning as a 4yo, he was placed in three of his four starts including in the Hanshin Mile Championship and Hong Kong Mile behind their champion Golden Sixty.

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dmire Mars is a son of Daiwa Major who was twice voted Japanese Champion Miler and raced from the ages of two to seven. Among his best wins was the Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Japanese 3yo Triple Crown. He also won the Tenno Sho, the Yasuda Kinen and twice the Mile Championship. He also finished third behind another Japanese horse, Admire Moon, in the Dubai Duty Free in 2007 that saw the Australian contender, Pompeii Ruler finish eighth. Daiwa Major is notable in that he is a son of the champion stallion, Sunday Silence who we have seen in a range of pedigrees under local conditions especially through his daughter Sunday Joy who won the 2003 AJC Oaks. His dam is Scarlet Bouquet by Northern Taste, a son of Northern Dancer who was closely related to Nearctic. The mare is a descendant of Boudoir II whose line has given us Flower Bowl, brothers Majestic Prince and Crown Prince, US stallion Real Quiet, Our Poetic Prince and a stallion whose yearlings will be on the market next season in Brave Smash. Admire Mars is out of the mare, Via Medici, a daughter of Medician by Machiavellian out of a Storm Bird mare. The second dam of Admire Mars is Via Milano by Singspiel, another stallion whose progeny we are reasonably familiar with and who shuttled to Australia in the early part of the century. He was a half-brother to Rahy and Rivotious.

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ooking at the pedigree of Admire Mars, we see quite a heavily inbred pedigree featuring three lines of the stallion, Halo, the sire of Sunday Silence. Halo is a stallion who shares his female line with the immortal Danehill, and the immediate attraction to many breeders is that the pedigree of Admire Mars is free of that stallion. We do nevertheless see three sons of Northern Dancer in the pedigree of Admire Mars through Sadler’s Wells, Storm Bird and Northern Taste. Standing in the Hunter Valley, there will be no shortage of Danehill line stallions with daughters that will suit the stallion. It will be interesting to see which ones will perform best, although with Danehill now being pushed further back in pedigrees, it is the other lines within a pedigree that will be critical. Perhaps Fastnet Rock is one that could be of special interest as we see that his damsire is Royal Academy who is bred on a similar Northern Dancer/Crimson Satan cross as Scarlet Bouquet, the dam of Daiwa Major. Considering though that the biggest query about Admire Mars will be his ability to produce early 2yo’s, perhaps it is the speedier sons of Danehill that might end up having the biggest success. Sires like Exceed And Excel, Danehill Dancer, Choisir, Danzero and even Commands could have descendants who will suit the stallion. Redoute’s Choice who stood at Arrowfield is another stallion who will have suitable daughters and granddaughters for the stallion, although of course we need to see what other influences are in the pedigree. Snitzel for example is one that we may need to be cautious with given that he carries a female line of Storm Bird. Even though the Danehill influence could be enough to ensure the success of the stallion, there are other intriguing aspects to his pedigree.

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Admire Mars has a relatively highly inbred pedigree (9.77%) with the feature being three lines of Halo. We see this stallion through his son Sunday Silence and through two daughters in Glorious Song, the dam of Singspiel and Coupe De Folie, the dam of Machiavellian.

What is of particular interest here is that while some of these are regular influences in Australia, we often see them through other descendants. Halo is a common sight as the sire of Southern Halo who in turn is the sire of More Than Ready. Similarly, Machiavellian is commonly found as the sire of Street Cry. Another key feature of the pedigree is three lines of Northern Dancer through sons Northern Taste, Storm Bird and Sadler’s Wells.

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s we mentioned, Northern Taste is closely related to Nearctic and, although this influence is being pushed well back into the pedigree, those mares that carry multiple lines of Northern Dancer close up will be interesting matings. Perhaps the most effective way of looking at the stallion is looking at influences that will not suit him. Sadler’s Wells is one that we need to be careful with, as of course will any mares carrying Sunday Silence. Royal Academy is another who we need to highlight if he appears in a pedigree, and Street Cry who is by Machiavellian is a stallion who is probably better to treat very carefully. This brings us to the presence of his sire, Mr Prospector who is widely found in pedigrees. Again, extreme caution should be used in introducing Mr Prospector line mares, and especially those that carry multiple lines of that stallion. The introduction of Mr Prospector through a female line, as we see in the case of Encosta De Lago could be a case of taking advantage of the presence of that wonderful line.

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dmire Mars has a pedigree that looks like he will suit many Australian mares.

The biggest question mark comes over his suitability to local conditions, and much of this comes down to type. Japanese horses have a good reputation for soundness, so it would surprise if there are any major physical issues. It comes down more to a question of type, and whether the Japanese horse can regularly produce early 2yo types. There is little doubt that the stallion should produce his share of quality runners, but we do wonder if there will be enough early types to have the local market clamouring for his progeny. At the end of the day, breeders will have to be responsible for these choices.

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FARNAN

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arnan was the 2019 Golden Slipper winner and goes to stud with a considerable fee. He raced only eight times for five wins, but his record needs a little closer inspection. Clearly, he was an early type, racing and winning twice before Christmas.

He blotted his copybook in the Magic Millions finishing a disappointing tenth in the Magic Millions behind Away Game at his first start at 1200m. Farnan then won the Silver Slipper, Todman and Golden Slipper convincingly to stamp himself the top 2yo of his season. The highly awaited return was to come in the G2 Run To The Rose where jockey Hugh Bowman was roundly criticised for the breakneck speed that saw Farnan lead but fold up to run a well-beaten fifth over the 1200m behind the good Qld gelding, Rothfire. He had another freshen and returned to the track for his last race start against the older horses in the G1 Coolmore at Flemington finishing an ordinary tenth.

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lot was written about the colt’s performances after the Golden Slipper, and we will leave that to others. He was obviously a wonderful 2yo, and no doubt this is the basis of his future success or failure. His pedigree though is a little of a mystery when it comes to his precocity. Farnan is by Not A Single Doubt who has been a remarkable sire, producing 72 stakes winners to date including another of this season’s Freshman Sires in the speedy Anders. Not A Single Doubt has certainly produced his share of sprinters with the likes of Extreme Choice now a promising TURF MONTHLY 33

Sire and winner of the Blue Diamond, Miracles Of Life who won the Robert Sangster and Blue Diamond, Clearly Innocent who won the BTC Kingsford-Smith and the Scone Luskin Star Stakes twice, and Classique Legend, the winner of this year’s Everest. Not A Single Doubt was arguably a versatile stallion who was equally capable of producing G1 winners over some ground and this is exemplified by Good Project who won the WA Railway over 1600m, Kenedna who won the ATC Queen Of The Turf over the same trip, and the Doomben Cup over 2000m, Mighty Boss who won the Caulfield Guineas, Qafila who won the SA Derby, and Scales Of Justice who won the WA Railway and Memsie Stakes both over a mile. Not A Single Doubt sees his damsire as the very speedy Rory’s Jester which could suggest that some of his progeny get their speed from that source although his female line is also that of the great Snippets, another noted speed influence. His sire was Redoute’s Choice. Farnan’s dam was by Street Cry, more of a stamina influence, while his second dam, African Queen was by Lion Hunter, another noted speed influence.

The female family of Farnan needs at least some mention as it traces to an Italian mare called Ursula Lauderdale who was brought to Australia by David Haynes along with the dam of Kingston Town. This mare was to produce the excellent Lowan Star

by Biscay who won nine stakes races including both the AJC and QTC Oaks.

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t would be impossible to discuss the pedigree of Farnan without mentioning the two male lines of Danehill through Redoute’s Choice and Lion Hunter. They clearly did not have a negative effect on the stallion and interestingly are different types of horses. Lion Hunter was predominantly a sire of speedy early types and were in many ways reminiscent of his damsire, Godswalk. The progeny of Redoute’s Choice tended to be more of a classic style of horse, that were able to extend a little from their 2yo season, quite often being much better the following season.

Immediately this is going to make us cautious when bringing in further lines of Danehill and this will no doubt be critical to the success of Farnan at stud. So too will be the blend of speed and stamina influences in his pedigree, and it will take some time to know if any of these stamina lines come through in his progeny.

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s always, Farnan’s success will depend on the suitability of the mares that he covers. To return to a moment to the Danehill factor, it is interesting to note that Not A Single Doubt is the damsire of two of the best 2yo’s this season in Shaquero and Enthaar. It may be important to note that both of these are by stallions whose pedigrees are free of Danehill in Shalaa by Invincible Spirit and Written Tycoon by Iglesia. It is possible that these factors may be important when we look at Farnan.

Invincible Spirit will be more testing as he brings in a line of Danzig, but we see that this influence is pushing back further in the pedigree and looks a far more attractive prospect than bringing in more sons of Danehill. Written Tycoon could be very successful with Farnan being by Iglesia who stood alongside Lion Hunter at stud in Qld, and the two lines have had their share of success together.

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In the case of Farnan, we see another stallion with close inbreeding to Danehill. Overall, at 9.77%, it is far from the most heavily inbred that we have seen though. We see another three lines of Danehill’s sire, Northern Dancer in the pedigree all through sons in Nijinsky, Grand Chaudiere and The Minstrel. Again, we see another line of Natalma, the dam of Northern Dancer, this time through the female line of grand damsire Machiavellian. It features plenty of Australian lines and most of these are speed lines. In the tail female line, we see Vain’s daughter in Salamore who produced a Blue Diamond Prelude winner. We see Palace Music a rather forgotten influence, but he was the Sire of the legendary Cigar as well as Naturalism locally. We also see Lion Hunter who produced Magic Millions winner, Lovely Jubly who was to give us Chautauqua. In the male line we see Singles Bar, a half-sister to Snippets by Rory’s Jester. It seems little wonder that he won a Golden Slipper.

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e have mentioned that Farnan has a connection with the Snippets family, and this is an avenue worth exploring although of course the Danehill factor will be at play. Perhaps more importantly though will be the presence of Easy Date, the dam of Snippets and she has been a remarkable producer apart from the success of Snippets. There are numerous mares from this family and although many will carry Danehill, a few are likely to match well with the stallion. Other interesting features of the Farnan pedigree include Biscay and Vain and again these are influences that I expect may suit the stallion, although again finding them without an overwhelming Danehill factor may be difficult. We also have the presence of Street Cry in the pedigree of Farnan, and this could be another key. He is a son of Machiavellian who shares the same female family as Danehill, as does Halo who also appears in his pedigree. This is another strategy that could well pay dividends and Halo is found as the sire of Sunday Silence and we are seeing more of this influence making its way to Australia especially through his champion son, Deep Impact. It is these overseas lines that perhaps will be critical. A stallion like Dubawi has plenty in his pedigree that looks to suit the stallion, but mares from him and his sons are not that easy to find. Similar overseas influences like Medaglia D’Oro, Shamardal and More Than Ready can be included in these.

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verall, it is likely that we can expect Farnan to produce many that will be similar in type to himself, and he should produce more than his fair share of early 2yo’s. While there are obvious challenges to be faced by breeders in his pedigree, there seem to be a lot of viable bloodlines that will suit and give the market what they crave in early speed. There should however be plenty of caution taken and it would be good to see breeders err on the side of caution when considering close inbreeding with the stallion in the early stages of his career. We know that it only takes one or two good 2yo’s to establish the career of a stallion, and Farnan looks ideally placed to be able to get some promising types.

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HELLO YOUMZAIN

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ambridge Stud in NZ continues to bring exciting new bloodlines to the region.

This year’s new stallion is Hello Youmzain, a multiple G1 winning sprinter bred in France. The stallion started his career by winning a maiden at his first start over 1000m in August of his 2yo NH season. He then ran second before heading to France where he won the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte over 1200m. Hello Youmzain was beaten first up as a 3yo over 1400m but won the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock back over 1200m at his next start. In this race he beat the long odd-on favourite Calyx, a stallion now standing at Coolmore in Australia. A third over the same distance in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Ascot behind Advertise followed.

After a brief freshen up, he went back to Haydock to win the G1 Sprint Cup Stakes before finishing unplaced in the Sprint Stakes against the older horses. Returning as a 4yo he won the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes beating Dream Of Dreams in what was to be his last win although he finished second in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest two starts later. In all, Hello Youmzain won five times and was placed a further four times in a twelve start career that earned connections £585,514.

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ello Youmzain is a son of Kodiac who in turn is a son of the legendary Danehill.

Kodiac has been a top stallion for many years and is the world record holder for the number of 2yo black type winners he has produced at six furlongs and under.

Perhaps more importantly he is a half-brother to another outstanding stallion in Invincible Spirit. Kodiac has produced two stakes-winners in Australia both interestingly over distances past a mile. His best of those to have raced locally was

Best Solution who won the 2018 Caulfield Cup having previously won the Prince Of Wales Stakes in England over the same distance. His other local stakes horse was Call Me Handsome who won the Listed Heatherlie Handicap over 1700m. Kodiac was a relatively moderate racehorse winning four of his 20 starts, with his best result a second in the G3 Stan James Hackwood Stakes at Newbury as a 5yo. This was probably his best season on the track, winning once and placing four times from his nine starts at that age. Hello Youmzain’s dam is the Shamardal mare, Spasha who has also produced the stakes winners Royal Youmzain by Youmzain who was Champion 2YO Colt in Italy in 2017 and Champion 3YO in Germany in 2018. Of his four wins, two were at two but he won from distances of 1500m to 2000m. A full sister to Royal Youmzain was Saglawy who won two races and was stakes placed at distances between 1800m to 3200m and won over the hurdles. Another half-sister in Zuhoor Baynoona by Elnadim won a Listed race over 1050m making the family quite interesting in terms of the distance aptitude of the siblings. The family is a very good German one that has success across Europe. One of the better known from the family may be Slip Anchor who won the 1985 Epsom Derby and whose daughter produced Champions Gallery who stood at stud in Qld for some seasons.

Notably the family is that of Shania Dane by Danehill who is quite closely related to the stallion. She won the STC Phar Lap and Premiere Stakes, the AJC South Pacific Classic and the Tatt’s Tramway.

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ew Zealand of course does not have the range of Danehill stallions that we see in Australia which makes this stallion a much more attractive proposition there than he may have been locally. In addition to being a grandson of Danehill, we see that Hello Youmzain has a pedigree that features a further two lines of Northern Dancer through a son in Sadler’s Wells, and through Storm Bird and his son, Storm Cat. While caution should always be used when utilising multiple lines of a stallion, the presence of Sadler’s Wells through a daughter will no doubt attract some breeders. Again, caution needs to be urged when duplicating that stallion, but a lot will no doubt depend on the other influences within a pedigree. A son of Sadler’s Wells like High Chaparral stood in NZ with good success, but his pedigree sees a female presence of Kris that we also see in the pedigree of Kodiac. Most significantly though we find some of the sons of High Chaparral that have stood in NZ and are old enough to have a number of broodmare daughters, such as Tivaci and Redwood, include the presence of Danehill and Mr Prospector respectively as prominent influences in their pedigrees which will result in heavily inbred pedigrees in many instances. Perhaps a better source of Sadler’s Wells could be the stallion Montjeu who stood in NZ with good success. Of course, Sadler’s Wells is closely related to Nureyev, and we saw Thorn Park as a NZ stallion from that line and that could be another interesting mating although we do see the presence of Storm Bird to temper this a little.

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nother interesting factor in the pedigree of Hello Youmzain is the similarity with the pedigree of Last Tycoon and his outstanding NZ based son, O’Reilly.

Again, we find the best son of O’Reilly at stud in Sacred Falls carries Danehill in his pedigree but if you can find mares that do not carry that stallion, this could be a highly successful strategy. Another of the legendary NZ stallions, and notably a Cambridge stallion, was the immortal Zabeel. He also shares a number of similarities with Hello Youmzain in terms of their pedigrees. Although many of the Zabeel mares are getting older, they are likely to find a suitable mating with the stallion. So too will many of his sons, although we need to ideally find those that do not have Danehill present in their pedigree in order to have the most consistent success. A stallion like Savabeel fits the bill nicely in this aspect. Quite possibly it is the Zabeel factor that will make or break the stallion. Pins is yet another of the wonderful NZ broodmare sires of his generation, and his pedigree looks to suit the

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Hello Youmzain has a moderately inbred pedigree (8.20%). It features three lines of Northern Dancer through sons Danzig, Storm Bird and Sadler’s Wells. We also see three lines of Natalma, the dam of Northern Dancer that we see in any pedigree that carries Danehill, who sees that mare as his third dam, and any other son of Northern Dancer. With this in mind, it is a dominant pattern in Australian pedigrees at the very least and no doubt contributes to an overall higher level of inbreeding in the modern thoroughbred. Another line of Natalma’s sire, Native Dancer is present through the pedigree of Kodiac, but we will see many of these influences slip back into the seventh generation of the stallion’s progeny. Perhaps another important factor is the sex-balanced cross of Princequillo in the pedigree.

Although it too will disappear further back, the influence through Mill Reef will continue to play a role. It is also important that the female line of the stallion includes a lot of German influences including Birkhahn who was also the sire of Literat who produced Surumu, the sire of Acatenango.

stallion well, so his daughters and granddaughters are likely to also be attractive prospects. NZ has been a wonderful source of quality stallions and there is a long list of these types of stallions that have influenced the decision by Cambridge to stand this stallion. Pentire shares similarities in his pedigree with that of Spa, the second dam of the stallion both being grandsons of Northern Dancer and Mill Reef.

A stallion from some time ago in Tights shares similarities with the pedigree of Kodiac with Northern Dancer and Round Table playing important roles. NZ has also had good success with sons of Street Cry and he represents another stallion who will no doubt attract breeders. Street Cry is a full brother to Shamardal, the damsire of Hello Youmzain. On a similar vein, the relationship between Kodiac and Invincible Spirit is another that will spark the interest of breeders. Again, we can only just caution that many of these strategies are used with caution.

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t would be good to think that Australian breeders will look closely at the prospect of sending some of their mares to the stallion. Finding the right mare out of this population may be a little more difficult. Written Tycoon, with the presence of Last Tycoon in his pedigree, is one that certainly may work. Encosta De Lago, Lonhro, Pierro, More Than Ready, Medaglia D’Oro are stallions who would certainly have suitable daughters. One interesting line to look at would also be from stallions who are sons and grandsons of Red Ransom. Overall, the stallion looks to share many pedigree features with stallions who have had remarkable success in NZ over time, and we are likely to see this extend to many of those Australian stallions who have had success with NZ bred mares. If there is a query over the stallion it is whether he will produce the precocious early 2yo’s that the Australian, and often Asian, markets crave. By standing in NZ, it gives him the best possible chance not only to overcome this but also to find the most compatible mares in the region. With good support Hello Youmzain looks a likely prospect to ensure NZ breeding remains strong.

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OLE KIRK O

le Kirk might well be the enigma of Australian racing and breeding. Arguably he was a superstar on the track, but he could also look pretty moderate at times.

He started his career winning the Talindert in sensational fashion coming from behind over 1100m at Flemington at the juicy odds of $31. He then went to the Sires’ Produce where he was closing fast after being held up in the straight to finish third behind Lunar Fox. He then went to Sydney for the AJC Sires’ Produce and got a long way back before finishing solidly for fourth behind King’s Legacy. King’s Legacy confirmed his 2yo superiority at their next start over the mile of the Champagne Stakes when Ole Kirk was well backed. Again, he was towards the tail and while he ran on well, he did not seem to be in the same class as King’s Legacy. Returning as a 3yo, Ole Kirk started with seconds to Anders and Rothfire before winning the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas to stamp himself the top 3yo in the country as many of the boom horses fell by the wayside. The Autumn looked to be his time and first up in the Inglis Sprint he finished strongly from the rear of the field to have connections excited about the rest of the campaign. Back in Melbourne he stepped out against the older horses but was a disappointing eighth of nine runners in the Futurity over 1400m. Back to his own age in the 1600m Australian Guineas, Ole Kirk again failed to impress finishing tenth behind the upset winner Lunar Fox.

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t times, Ole Kirk looked like a champion on the track, and this was backed up by his breeding. He is by champion sire, Written Tycoon out of Naturale, a full sister to the unbeaten Black Caviar. This also makes her a half-sister to All Too Hard, and of course their dam, Helsinge is a half-sister to Magnus and Wilander. It is interestingly another family that traces back to the original mares imported by Kingston Park Stud and David Haynes, this time in the Denmark bred mare, Love Song by War Path.

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t is almost impossible to look at the future of Ole Kirk without comparison to All Too Hard. Their pedigrees are remarkably similar despite being by different stallions. While All Too Hard is by Casino Prince, the presence of Last Tycoon and Vain are unmistakeable. In the case of Ole Kirk he is by Written Tycoon who also sees those two stallions close up. The big difference is that Casino Prince is a Danzig line stallion, and this could make or break Ole Kirk as a Sire. It would not be a bad result for him to follow in the footsteps of All Too Hard, an exceptional racehorse who has been a top stallion since entering stud in 2013. His two best runners have been Alligator Blood who won the Australian Guineas and Behemoth who won the Memsie and Sir Rupert Clark. Their pedigrees are remarkably different with Behemoth representing an almost total outcross and Alligator Blood heavily inbred with close duplications of Rolls, the daughter of Mr Prospector in Encosta De Lago, Last Tycoon and Northern Dancer.

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he major advantage that Ole Kirk would look to have is that his pedigree is free of Danehill, but not of Danzig which is where some caution needs to be taken in introducing Danehill lines. We would not necessarily be looking at introducing multiple lines of Danehill or Danzig most likely, but this still allows for plenty of suitable sons and grandsons of that great influence. Redoute’s Choice looks a likely option with that stallion introducing sex balanced lines of Lunchtime and Nijinsky.

Redoute’s Choice has done well with daughters of Last Tycoon, so this is another exciting aspect of his daughters for Ole Kirk. There are also sons of Redoute’s Choice who are likely to appeal and that includes his champion son, Snitzel who reinforces the presence of both Snippets and Nijinksy in Ole Kirk’s pedigree. Nevertheless, there will be few sons of Danehill that do not have something to offer the stallion, and this augurs well for the stallion who is based in the Hunter Valley.

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ith Ole Kirk seeing Royal Academy in his female line, there will no doubt be an attraction for some breeders to look at the influence of his close relation Storm Cat. We see few remaining stallions in Australia carrying this stallion, despite his remarkable success overseas and plenty of his sons coming here. The fact that he is not prevalent probably says a lot about his suitablity to local conditions. Royal Academy had good success here, but the temptation to mix his lines with those of Storm Cat proved unsuccessful in most cases. In this instance we are pushing these influences further back into the pedigree so it would not surprise if it was a strategy that could work, although caution is urged.

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The stallion has relatively limited inbreeding in his pedigree (5.86%). Nevertheless, the inbreeding in this pedigree may be more critical in his success than many others. We see only two stallions duplicated within six generations. We see three lines of both Vain and Northern Dancer. Interestingly Vain’s influence comes through three daughters while Northern Dancer comes through three sons. While this may appear a little unusual, we must remember that it is relatively difficult to find Vain through a son and Northern Dancer through a daughter, so perhaps there is not a lot to be made of this. With three lines of Vain it comes as little surprise to see that the pedigree has a uniquely Australian feel to it with not only that stallion coming to the fore, but also Iglesia, Snippets and Better Boy. Another interesting presence in the pedigree of Written Tycoon is that of Kenmare, a French stallion who shuttled to Australia only briefly but left an enduring legacy. With all of these essentially being speed influences, it is also interesting to note that we see both Royal Academy and Desert Sun who could both get progeny that would run over a mile or more regularly, and these no doubt helped in Old Kirk winning over 1600m.

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eing by Written Tycoon, there seems little doubt that Ole Kirk will be able to impart speed into his progeny, even if he was not a front running style himself.

It may be important at times to introduce some stamina lines into a mating as he should be able to produce some runners who extend a little further than many modern stallions. High Chaparral is always one stallion who we see as a stamina influence, and in many cases his daughters, and those of his sons will be attractive matings for the stallion. Although these may not always produce a sales topping yearling, this type of mating has the potential to see runners being strong contenders in the classic 3yo races.

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lthough his fee is among the highest of our new stallions this season, Ole Kirk looks to have a lot going for him. He should suit a wide range of Hunter Valley mares and he certainly offers a good prospect for many Danehill line mares.

Providing that he is well supported, and as a Golden Slipper winner there is no reason to suggest that he will not be, it will come as no surprise to see his name high up on the leading first season sires list.

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WOOTTON BASSETT W

ootton Bassett might be a little out of place in our Freshman Sires feature, but he is standing his first season in Australia this year. Despite his success overseas we know this does not always translate to success under local conditions, so it is worthwhile to look at what the stallion has to offer local breeders. Firstly, it is important to note that his best son, Almanzor is at stud at the famed Cambridge Stud in NZ and his first runners will hit the track this season. Almanzor has been a sensation in the sales ring to date if that is any indicator of his future, and we did have a look at him in an earlier edition.

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ootton Bassett started with a first crop of only 23 foals and a service fee of just €6,000. He now commands a fee of €100,000 at Coolmore in Ireland.

Wootton Bassett was a champion French 2yo unbeaten at that age from five starts.

His wins included the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over 1400m at Longchamp and the Weatherby’s Insurance £300,000 2YO Stakes, over 1300m at Doncaster. Wootton Bassett returned as a 3yo with two unplaced runs against his own age over a mile, with the second of these in the St James’ Palace Stakes won by Frankel. He was then taken back over the shorter trips against the older horses in the G1 Prix Maurice De Gheest – Goldikova and Betfred Spring Cup but was again out of the placings.

He retired with five wins from nine starts and £541,704 in stakes. Seeing as he has been at stud for some time, his on-track performance means less to us than his stud success. He has been a revelation siring a host of stakes winners including not only Almanzor but also Wooded winner of the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye, Audarya winner of the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Keeneland and G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville, and Incarville winner of the G1 Prix Saint Alary.

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hat is perhaps most interesting of his oversees crops are the damsires of his G1 winners which are Maria’s Mon, Green Tune and Azamour. While it is interesting to note that none of these are by Danehill line stallions, two are

by Northern Dancer line stallions. We should point out though that even if all of his stakes-winners were by sons of Danehill, it is no guarantee that success would translate between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. What we do know is that he is obviously capable of producing high quality progeny, and it is now up to breeders to ensure that this success translates to local conditions.

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he stallion is a son of Iffraaj who has shuttled to NZ for many seasons. He had won three G2 races over 1400m and has produced 11 G1 winners including Ribchester, Jungle Cat, Ginger Nuts and Jon Snow. He is establishing a reputation as a sire of sires with the Darley owned Ribchester standing in Australia briefly, and now shuttling to NZ. Jon Snow and Turn Me Loose are also at stud in NZ while Jungle Cat entered stud in Qld in 2019. His dam is the Balladonia by Primo Dominie who had only one win from 18 starts but was twice placed in Listed races in Newcastle, England. It is a family of good winners but perhaps the most common name that we are likely to know in Australia is that of My Patriarch by Be My Guest

who stood at stud in Australia with modest results siring only one stakes-winner in Canberra Cup winner, Benmanang. The family has had success throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and it does not take much investigating to find stallions Key To The Mint, Discreet Cat and With Approval hailing from the line.

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tanding at Coolmore in the Hunter Valley there is no doubt that there will be a great attraction for breeders with Danehill line stallions. It is also the issue that will probably decide whether he is an outstanding success or a more moderate influence here. Perhaps the reason why Wootton Bassett has not had his best success with Danehill is the fact that his grand damsire is Chief ’s Crown by Danzig. This means that any mare carrying Danehill will feature a male duplication of that stallion. No doubt this should be treated carefully by breeders. This is further compounded by the presence of two more lines of Northern Dancer through his sons Nureyev and The Minstrel. We also see that his sire, Ifraaj is a son of Gone West who in turn is a son of Mr Prospector which means that we may also need to show caution with the presence of that stallion in a pedigree.

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hat may sound as if it will be difficult to find mares to suit the stallion but that is not necessarily the case. While we see Danzig in the pedigree, he is now pushed back to the fifth generation of any of his progeny. It also pushes back the other Northern Dancer lines and while we still need to urge caution, in many cases this influence will be far enough back in the pedigree to reduce any negative impacts.

Certainly, daughters of grandsons of Danehill will find attraction to the mating with Wootton Bassett, of course subject to the other parts of their pedigree. In particular the presence of Flying Spur could be of benefit and he can be found through sons like Magnus and Casino Prince. All Too Hard, the champion son of Casino Prince pushes the Danzig influence back even further ensuring that there are likely some of his daughters who are now at stud may be suitable.

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n interesting feature of the Wootton Bassett pedigree is the presence of Ribot and Princequillo within five generations through his tail female line. Ribot is found in the pedigree of Danehill which strengthens the possible relationship between Wootton Bassett and his grandsons and their daughters. Princequillo is often found in pedigrees through Sir Tristram so any stallions carrying Sir Tristram may have a great deal to offer, and this will no doubt be the case for his son, Almanzor at Cambridge, the home of Sir Tristram. Here we see Wootton Bassett at Coolmore, the home of Danehill so I suggest that mares carrying both Danehill and Sir Tristram could be worthwhile matings to pursue. Ribot though is found through a son in the pedigree of Danehill, while he is much more difficult to find through a daughter. Three stallions that do have Ribot in their pedigree through a daughter are Medaglia D’Oro, Artie Schiller and Teofilo, and these are stallions who may well have daughters that would be outstanding prospects with the stallion. We must also note that the presence of Iffraaj as the sire of Wootton Bassett sees the presence of both Nureyev and The Minstrel, both sons of Northern Dancer. Nureyev is a threequarter sibling to Sadler’s Wells suggesting that he is another stallion who may cross well with Wootton Bassett. Similarly, The Minstrel is closely related to Nijinsky. We see Nijinsky appearing in many pedigrees but importantly he plays a role in that of Redoute’s Choice who is another stallion who has sons and many grand daughters at stud who may appeal.

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nother interesting influence in the pedigree of the stallion is Ahonoora. His daughter Princess Tracey produced Cullen, Danasinga, Towkay and Tracy’s Element the dam of Typhoon Tracy, so this influence may be another that will be important. Ahoonara is found in Ifraaj’s pedigree through Park Appeal, a mare who also is seen in the pedigrees of Diktat and Cape Cross. She is closely related to Grand Chaudiere, a wonderful stallion who stood at Lyndhurst Stud in Qld and can be found primarily through the pedigree of Easy Date who was the dam of Snippets and the granddam of Not A Single Doubt. The success of this line with the strong local speed influences is perhaps the greatest marker for success for the stallion under Australian conditions, and likely it is the types of influences that had success with Snippets will be important. We know that Snippets is the damsire of Snitzel and his daughters and granddaughters may be highly sought after matings. Similarly, some of the good daughters of Not A Single Doubt will impart the precocity that would help Wootten Bassett succeed under local conditions. Ahonoora is also found in the pedigree of the top US racehorse and shuttle stallion Animal Kingdom who did not perform to expectations here. He nevertheless has a range of daughters from very good families that might also be suited to Wootton Bassett.

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t may be a little unfair to include such a well-performed stallion as Wootten Bassett with our first season stallions, but it adds a new dimension to the list. He is clearly going to face a new challenge under Australian conditions, but he has a pedigree that looks like it will complement a wide range of our strongest bloodlines.

The biggest query is perhaps whether his progeny will be the type that can figure in a Magic Millions or whether they may take a little more time to mature.

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Wootton Bassett has relatively little inbreeding (4.69%). This is even less significant when we see that the only duplications within six generations are the stallions Northern Dancer and Secretariat. Breeders will no doubt be investigating line breeding opportunities with the stallion, and there are some wonderful influences within his pedigree that lend themselves to this. We have already noted the influence of both Tom Rolfe and Princequillo quite close up in his female line. The presence of some important overseas lines though does not necessarily mean that there will be success in duplicating them under local conditions. Many of these lines are likely to blend well with almost total outcross pedigrees even if they are a little difficult to find. Many of these will incorporate strong colonial bloodlines.

BONECRUSHER VS OUR WAVERLEY STAR THE RACE OF THE CENTURY 1986 WS COX PLATE

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he 1986 WS Cox Plate is often referred to as the Race of the Century, and with good reason. Two great NZ champions faced off against each other, with some heavyweights in their corners in more ways than one. Bonecrusher was the people’s champion, an unfashionably bred gelding who was by Pag-Asa out of Imitation. Pag-Asa was by Kaoru Star and produced nothing that went close to rivalling Bonecrusher. In fact, he produced only seven stakes winners in total, with his next best the Brisbane Cup and VRC Dalgety winner, Coshking and Quick Score who won the G2 AJC Apollo Stakes. Bonecrusher’s family had been imported to NZ in the early 1900’s through a mare called Eulogy who was to produce five stakes winners and found some of the most enduring local lines.

While it was an outstanding local family and his dam Imitation was to go on to produce another two stakes winners after Bonecrusher, his direct female line had not produced a stakes winner since Sir Henry won the 1963 Auckland Race Club’s King’s Plate over a mile.

1600 saw him primed for a return to Australian, and in his first start in Melbourne he won the G1 Underwood.

Bonecrusher then won the Caulfield Stakes again over 2000m. He had become NZ’s first million-dollar earner with that victory. Bonecrusher was installed a dominant favourite for the Cox Plate opening at 5/4 on before easing slightly to 10/9 on as betting on the race was stifled.

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ur Waverley Star was a blueblood owned by Qld Racing Minister, Russ Hinze, a larger than life figure who had no hesitation in telling anyone who would listen how good his horse was. He did have some substance to his argument, as he came to Australia having won ten of his first thirteen starts in NZ. Included in that was his victory over Bonecrusher at Ellerslie at their only meeting. He was by the champion sire Star Way out of the imported British mare, Super Show by Great Nephew. She had earlier produced the 1983 Moonee Valley Stakes winner, Albany Bay. Her dam was the Yorkshire Oaks winning West Side onecrusher came to Australia first as a 2yo, after Story by Rockefella who herself was a half-sister to winning three of his first five starts in NZ. His first Coronation Stakes winner, Pembroke Castle, and Red local start was a fifth in the Brambles Classic at Newcastle. Gauntlet who won the Festival Stakes. In turn, their He had two more runs in the Autumn finishing dam was Red Shoes who had won the Falmouth Stakes. unplaced both times in Sydney before returning home Even with such a stellar family and ten wins, there were for a good spell and a much-reduced reputation. His still a couple of question marks hanging over the colt’s 3yo season started slowly but as he matured, he proved head with the main one being that Our Waverley Star to be top class, winning the Avondale Guineas, NZ was seen as a risk past 1600m. He was sent out as the Derby, Cambridge Stud International, Air NZ Stakes, 3/1 second favourite having opened at 9/4.

Tancred Stakes and AJC Derby to round off his season. n all races like this, it is easy to forget that it was At four, Bonecrusher started off over the unsuitable a quality field that lined up for the Cox Plate at distance of 1200m on a heavy track at Ellerslie in NZ, Moonee Valley on 25 October. It was a small field with running third to Our Waverley Star. A second over only 13 runners. Number one saddlecloth was carried

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by The Filbert who may not have been in the best form but was a wonderful galloper. He was best known for running third in the Japan Cup of 1985 and was heading towards the Melbourne Cup after the Cox Plate. The Filbert pulled a plate on the way to the barrier in the Cup and was a controversial scratching. He finished third behind the champion duo in the race. The field also included Drawn, who had won the G1 Caulfield and Rosehill Guineas and the All-Aged Stakes as a 3yo. Ma Chiquita had won the G1 George Main Stakes, while Drought had won the G2 Gloaming and Peter Pan Stakes in the Autumn and was to go on to win the following year’s Caulfield Stakes. Roman Artist was unfancied in the betting but was a G1 winner having won the 1985 George Main Stakes. Dinky Flyer was another of the outsiders but was coming off a good winter in Queensland having won the G3 Tattersall’s Cup. Dinky Flyer was to win the G1 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1987. Another mare, Ma Chiquita had won the G1 George Main earlier that year and drifted markedly in the betting. The remaining six runners were all 3yo’s. It seems quite remarkable that so many jockeys could make the weight in 1986, with only John Marshall (49kg) and Gary Willetts (49.5kg) not meeting the 48.5kg allotment. The one 3yo filly was Society Bay who carried the postage stamp weight of 46kgs. One of the 3yo’s in the field, and the first

one home in finishing fourth, was Dandy Andy who was to later get some revenge with a memorable win in the 1988 Australian Cup beating Vo Rogue and Bonecrusher.

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ike many great races in history, it is probably fair to say that neither horse really recovered from their exertions on that great day in 1986. Bonecrusher was to win only five more races with only one of those in Australia. It was a good one though in the 1987 Australian Cup when he beat At Talaq in a tight photo.

Bonecrusher retired with a career record that showed 18 wins and 16 placings from 43 starts and total prizemoney of $2,170,673.

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ur Waverley Star performed even worse with only three more wins in a career that lasted until June 1989. He won his next start only a couple of weeks after the Cox Plate back in NZ in the G2 ARC Television Stakes before disappointing at his next run. He returned the following Spring to win a minor race in NZ and returning to Australia for his greatest triumph in the 1987 Chipping Norton Stakes over his favourite 1600m. That was to be his last win and it is fitting that both champions won a Group 1 after the 1986 Cox Plate. Nevertheless, both are remembered best for their epic battle in the Race Of The Century as we approach the 35th anniversary. Enjoy the memories.

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