b4breeding

It is late in the season now, and some of us (me included) are still waiting to see if/when some of our mares are positive.

Others still have a mare to breed (or not) and can’t decide.

So what do you do for that last minute fertile “go for it” low-cost service?

The Christmas shop window is full of enticing goods displayed. I’m talking here as a NZ breeder as the local low-cost scene in Australian states is completely different and wider but possible with less performed sires.

But when I look at options like Smiling Shard, Mr Feelgood, Highview Tommy, Tintin In America, Raging Bull, and Alta Christiano….just to name a few….my goodness, we are spoilt for choice (even if not spoilt for numbers of buyers later on!!)

The thing that attracts me with some of these cheaper options is that they are not a “discount” in terms of value.  Mr Feelgood and Smiling Shard are two quite different examples of that. You could not get better performers and good maternal lines to back them up. Forget about the Grinfromeartoear factor if you don’t hold that sire in high regard. These are matches that have clicked in a very fundamental way and given their chance will be good sires. Smiling Shard has foals on the ground and the ones I have seen look good. Mr Feelgood too, but foals are only in Australia where the reports sound very good in terms of  type. Big numbers over there for that sire last season, and NZ breeders can ride on the back of that as they show up as he will have only a few here in NZ.

Alta Christiano and Raging Bull are both by our best sire line downunder – In The Pocket and his son Christian Cullen, but importantly crossed with great mares or families. You’d add in Stunin Cullen to that list of course, and with his first yearlings going to the sales in 2016 you can do your homework locally and check out what the types are like.

Now I want to do a plug for the sire I bred, Tintin In America, because having put my money and breeding choices where my mouth is, I’ve got some really nice results to share. And it gives some of you, hopefully, more confidence about choosing him as a sire. If you mare is nicely bred, good size but needs speed – go for it. If your mare has speed but lacked stamina, remember he went on to win as a 4yo in the Messenger and was runner up to Monkey King in the Auckland Cup. Check back on my blog re things in pedigrees that I think click well with this family.

Bee’s Christmas Shop Window of a Tintin foal, a Tintin yearling and a Tintin 3yo filly:

• Jack Tar (yearling) – Tintin In America x Sophie’s Choice currently spelling after breaking in with Brent and Sue Donnelly (great people to deal with, lovely with the young horses). They are really pleased with the way he broke in and his attitude.
• Next is my latest Tintin – from the Rustler Hanover mare Nostalgic Franco. Look at this photo – doesn’t it remind you of the way Tintin just stood there, waiting, knowing, before his big races? He’s down south at Macca Lodge and Brent McIntyre describes him as a standout foal.
• Finally we have 3yo filly Be A Legend, from a Safely Kept mare and a good family. She has that tough roman nose and the Tintin attitude – harness that and you have a winning racehorse. So far, so good and tip o’ the hat to Chris McDowell in Christchurch for the preps and getting her qualified. He has really understood how you can work with their keenness and energy rather than fighting it. “Harnessing” the qualities as well as the horse. Thanks Chris!

Jack Tar (yearling)

Jack Tar with Sue Donnelly – spunky, willing and lovely temperament

Tintin In America foal from Nostalgic Franco:

Tintin colt standing like Tintin In America used to before his races. This foal has a real presence about him.

The 3yo filly Be A Legend:

Powerful back end and some real attitude – I like this filly!

Worth waiting for – she’s getting to be a strong, bold filly.