If you are still debating whether to put your Elsu mare in foal, take heart.
Yesterday at Forbury Park the win by Jack Black (Mach Three-Black And Royal, bred by Michelle Carson) gave Elsu his first winning credit as a damsire. It wasn’t in a super time or by 10 lengths, but it was very comfortable and hinted of more to come. First start and it’s a nice win. You can’t do better than that.
Jack Black’s dam is an Elsu mare from a nice family – and he was a Sales yearling in 2012 that caught my attention for that very reason. Here’s the blog I wrote at that time.
There are only 4 registered foals aged 3 in New Zealand with Elsu as their damsire, and Black And Royal’s foal is the only colt (actually a gelding). Two of the filly foals from Elsu mares have qualified: Donegal Boyd Creek (Jereme’s Jet – Boyd’s Creek – that’s the Kahu Del family that produces some outstanding types like Lyall Creek and Harnett’s Creek) and Ohoka Royal (Ohoka Arizona – Ella Bea Royal). In both cases they are the mare’s first foals.
Looking down the list of what Elsu dams are producing, there is plenty to like about their prospects. There are just 17 registered foals listed, and overall the sires chosen are very commercial ones, including Christian Cullen (a sister to Jack Black), Bettor’s Delight, Rock N Roll Heaven, Shadow Play and Mach Three.
Among those with Elsu as their damsire are 6 win mare Matai Mies which breeder Pat Laboyrie put to Rock N Roll Heaven – I’ve seen the resulting yearling filly called Emily Blunt and she is a lovely type.
Brian West of Studholme Bloodstock is breeding from his Elsu mare The Actress, 2 wins and from his very nice Stage Talent family (dam of Slippery Mckenzie, About Ambition, Collectable). The yearling colt has been named The Actor.
Graham and Sue Henley of Alabar NZ are breeding their Elsu mare Esha – to Shadow Play for a now 2yo colt called Playingintheshadows who is with Lance Hanrahan, and now a filly by Santanna Blue Chip called Machineguns N Gems.
You can check out the details on the HRNZ website Info Horse database.
One interesting one is the Elsu mare Suzen Star who is out of Zenola Star and so a half sister to my own Zenterfold. That makes her 2 x 3 to New York Motoring and 3 x 3 to Zenover. It’s close to inbreeding, and something Geoff and Aria Small also tried with Zenterfold when they put her to Elsu – in that case the resulting foal was a lovely big type who qualified but was retired, after being given plenty of time to develop, with reoccurring soreness, and seemed to lack the real element of speed required for racing.
The Henley’s leased Suzen Star to breed her to Grinfromeartoear, and the resulting filly (now named Yolo) was sold through the PGG Wrightson Autumn Weanling and All Aged Sale in May this year for just $3500 to the Blakemores. It will be interesting to keep an eye out on that one. The cross with Grin is one I have tried of course with Zenterfold to good success.
Elsu is a sire that has not left those outstanding racehorses required to really make him commercial. However he has gained respect from the smaller owners and trainers as a sire of horses that can become good “bread and butter” horses, affordable, honest and competitive, accumulating their wins and places over time rather than a flash in the pan. So he’s always thereabouts on the sires stats tables.
His real legacy, given the lovely maternal line he comes from – the engine room, may well be as a damsire especially when his mares are given a real chance with quality sires that can inject some speed into the progeny. Jack Black is a great example of that.
b4breeding 
Love reading your thoughts as it is interesting to know the thoughts of dedicated breeders across the ditch. Was hoping for your thoughts on Betterthancheddar sometime but Elsu is interesting. Much was expected from him as a sire and of course that makes him a dud (sic) when he doesn’t leave some really nice horses. He hasn’t much respect here among professional trainers but the hobbyists do get a nice horse that they have fun with as you correctly pointed out. Given the blood he needs will get the decent racehorse.
Bachelor Hanover and U Scott are two of his key sources of heart and speed and that’s pretty good blood to be matching up.
Black and Royal would have a big heart going on that line of thinking and would have plenty to offer when put with a sire that capitalises on that strength.
Suzen Star is very interesting and I would be racing to get her in foal to Armbro Operative who is still a very powerful stallion despite the drop off in attention in recent years. Can you see why I like that match? It’s due to one of your old favourite US sires (and mine). In his day he was very highly thought of and utilised by the great Bill Sheehan with Golden Miss. Enough said.
Keep up your much enjoyed blogging!