b4breeding

Dark, small, feisty and built like a brick shithouse – she’s bound to be a Bettor’s Delight.

But she’s not. Lot 80 in the PGG Wrightson Sale of the Stars Australasian yearling sale (Karaka) is by Tintin In America. She has those familiar attributes that make Bettor’s Delight fillies sell so well at the sales – attitude and a real “go early” conformation, but because she is by Tintin In America it is really hard to know what price Tinny Girl will fetch.

So far Tintin’s first winner in Australia (race) and New Zealand (trial) were fillies, and his colt at the Garrards Ready To Run sale brought in $70,000. There’s plenty of good word out for his foals from breeders and trainers in both countries. As the only yearling by the sire in the NZ sales, I think there could be a bit of interest. (Note: There is another Tintin In America filly for sale at the APG Brisbane sale on 15 February, Lot 234).

Right now she is on the smaller side, but by no means petite. I would see her maturing to 15h no trouble over time. Tintin himself was a 15.1h horse but his foals seem to come in a range of sizes. Of course the mare contributes to that – Tinny Girl is from a Courage Under Fire mare. Courage Under Fire was just 14.3h. So good things can definitely come in smaller packages!

What does seem to be a fairly common factor in Tintin In America foals is a competitive, assertive attitude (and that runs in his family) and good looks. This filly has both.

I had the pleasure of seeing Tinny Girl yesterday with preparer/breeder/owner Leanne Edwards at Morrinsville, not far from where I live. The filly wasn’t prettied up at all, and in her cover she did look on the small side. But when the cover comes off there is a really nice solid body there, with a powerful bum, already a good wither and sturdy legs. Very likeable.

Leanne says she has plenty of energy around the paddock and often free legs (paces). She’s been hard fed all the way through and her coat is naturally gleaming even without a brush.

I suggested that Tintin In America was a good choice to add a bit of speed into a solid but not exceptionally fast family. This was also the idea behind the breeding of  Tinny Girl’s dam, Khatcha Fire, who is by Courage Under Fire from the 8 win mare Mer Cruza. Leanne explains that Khatcha Fire showed early signs of speed and ability but broke her jaw in an accident and after that became hard to steer, so was switched to breeding without having raced. Her first foal is by Shadow Play, a 3yo filly Leanne intends to qualify this season.

The Tintin In America / Courage Under Fire cross in Lot 80 brings In The Pocket 3×3 sex reversed.  We know what a great influence on the speed of our breed In The Pocket was. As I’ve mentioned before, our locally bred sires like Courage Under Fire have In The Pocket in the sire line, and Tintin In America is the only one so far to include him in the maternal line. It’s an interesting opportunity!

Tinny Girl Lot 80 PGG Yearling Sales 2015. (Photo: Bee Pears)