b4breeding

Update 8 March 2016

Tragic news, Zee Dana died today – announced on his Twitter account. That is not what I wanted you to follow and read. So with vets in attendance, and possibly twisted bowel or snake bite, something intestinal, we farewell a horse with so much potential and so much a flagship for Tintin. I really feel for all the connections – that’s a great word for them because they really were connected with Zee Dana, loved him, proud of him, the individual character and talent that he was.

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I was so excited on Sunday night to watch Zee Dana (Tintin In America x Zwish; breeder Dave Kennedy) flying off the front from the widest draw and heading straight to the front.

Zee Dana with Nathan Jack before the NSW Derby. From his Twitter account.

That he could do that, then still have gas in the tank – just – to run a close third in the NSW Derby….well, what a lovely horse he is turning into. With a bit more room in the passing lane it could have been 2nd place.

Rapt for Dave Kennedy, too, who was over there for the Derby and who reminded me that Menangle doesn’t have a passing lane (damn it!). Dave is a Kiwi breeder who has really supported Tintin In America.

Zee Dana is off for a spell now before aiming at the Breeders Crown. Well deserved break.

Tintin’s first crop is, like Zee Dana, just 3yos at the moment – he had 32 live NZ bred foals that season. Bettor’s Delight had 220, and Mach Three 94, Art Major only 49 in NZ and American Ideal a low of 96 before before those latter three picked up for bigger crops in the next couple of years.

So those statistics sort of paint a picture of the dominance of one pacing sire for what is now a 3yo season.

No complaints – you have to do the best with what you get. And Zee Dana is an example of a breeding that has clicked, a horse that wants to run, and trainers that have developed and channelled his ability.

I am encouraged by what I see from Tintin foals – not all will be successes, but let’s follow the story. Share yours with me – the good and the not so good. I’m interested to know.

You can follow Zee Dana’s story on his own Twitter account here which is very cool. And for a back story on this blog, just search on “Zee Dana” in my blog search field.