This week in Dunstan Horse Feeds Meet the Breeder, we caught up with Ricky and Anna Rhodes who bred progressive stayer Campaldino (Ghibellines) who won two races in New Zealand before sold privately to Darby Racing, and took out the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Tell us the story of Campaldino?
Campaldino is by Ghibellines and is the 2nd foal out of our shocking mare Zuzana. Her first foal was a full brother called Zappolino. We purchased Zuzana off Gavelhouse.com initially as a racing prospect, but she only had 2 starts and due to a back problem and was retired to the breeding shed. Her trainer said she would “stay all day”, so with that in mind we set about with the dream of breeding a classic winner.
Campaldino was foaled and raised at Highden Park in the Manawatu by Sam and Libby Bleakley. He was a standout type, possessing a bit more strength and class than his older brother. Libby is an outstanding judge of a horse and Campaldino was one of her favourites right from the beginning. He was never going to be desirable commercially, so he was sent to Cody Cole to be broken in and commenced his racing career.
Once he matured and was racing over a suitable trip, he quickly showed a glimpse of what he is capable of and that didn’t go unnoticed with him being privately purchased by Australian interests. He is now trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott out of their Randwick stable and races in the colours of astute syndicators Darby Racing.
The improvement he has made over the past 12 months has been quite astonishing. This current campaign in Australia he has had five races, for two 2nds and then three wins in succession. We got a huge trill with him winning the Orange Cup (which has an automatic entry into The Big Dance), but Saturdays Group 3 win over 2400m at Eagle Farm was on another excitement level!
How did you get into thoroughbred breeding?
About 10 years ago we came across a horse in the pony section of Trade Me that I thought would make a great broodmare. That horse was Elusive Tracy who recorded nine wins and was group 2 placed. Once we brought her, I thought what will we do now, so I contacted Libby Bleakley from Highden Park (who I had leased a slow racehorse from) to see if we could have her at their place. She agreed and sent Sam on the road to collect this ‘Trade Me Pony’ from a back paddock in the Central Districts. We have actually just retired Elusive Tracy’s first foal we bred called Adannaya by Niagara. She was trained by Lance Robinson and had six wins, 10 seconds and six thirds and was stakes placed on multiple occasions. We can’t wait to breed from her.
How many mares do you breed from?
This coming season we will have three mares in the paddock - Zuzana, Elusive Tracy and Adannaya. We are very privileged and proud to be part of Team Highden! Our Success is very much Sam and Libby’s success also, we are ‘office breeders’, they are the ones that do the hard work and give our young stock the very best upbringing possible.
What else do you have in your bloodstock portfolio? (foals, racehorses, stallion shares etc)
We have a Hello Youmzain weanling colt who is the half-brother to Campaldino and couldn’t be happier with his quality. We have a rising 2-year-old gelding who is a full brother to Adannaya currently being educated.
In the racing team we have a Pride of Dubai filly, Impending gelding and an Impending filly that are all with Lance Robinson at Riccarton.
We had a share in Vadamos, but I wouldn’t go into stallion shares again, we find it clouds your judgment in mating plans.
Do you breed to race or breed to sell? If sell, how do you decide on what to retain and what to sell?
We would consider ourselves to be hobby breeders. We have found it hard to make a commercial return in the sales ring and instead focus on racetrack performance and possible trade opportunities. We have sold a few out of Book 2 at Karaka and the most recent was a Hello Youmzain half-brother to Campaldino in 2024 who we will be following with a keen interest of course! We both love the racing game, so we keep numbers low and do retain most progeny to race. Hopefully, we can continue to improve the pedigrees of the families we are involved in so there are commercial sales options in the future.
Do you seek advice on your breeding decisions?
Ricky was fortunate to have learnt pedigree theory and knowledge from Ken Beer who has studied pedigrees for the past 50 years, Ken was himself taught by renowned expert Harold Hampton. That knowledge forms the starting point for all our matings from the basis of trying to create genetic patterns that can upgrade racing performance. Then we start researching specific stallion credentials and assessing type and physical considerations. Libby is a wealth of knowledge on that aspect and someone we will consult before making final decisions. I would hate to add up how many hours go into finalising our mating plans!
Best breeding advice you have received?
If you get the bloodlines right, the type will follow.
What do you love about the thoroughbred breeding industry?
The challenge to create a high performing athlete. All the research, the dreams, the highs, (and the lows) that make up the journey. The friendships made along the way. When you have a successful result like Campaldino, it means a lot to so many people who have played a part big or small. We also love that small breeders can still produce a good horse, it just might require a bit more thought and creativity, but the biggest budget doesn’t always win!
What advice would you give someone entering the industry as a breeder?
That’s a hard one as we are still trying to figure it out for ourselves. We are quite analytical and research driven, and always looking to learn, it’s a continual journey. Find the people you can trust and rely on, don’t get too big too soon, be patient and trust your gut. Accept that failure is part of the game.
If you could make one mating with any mare and stallion (past or present), what would it be?
Goldikova to Street Cry - and pray for a filly.
Finish this sentence: The best part of being a thoroughbred breeder is…
The best part of being a thoroughbred breeder is following a horse’s journey from the foaling paddock to the winning post – when you breed a winner it’s very rewarding, there’s no better feeling! The number of people involved in the journey of each horse is quite incredible and the joy success brings is priceless.
