This week in Dunstan Horse Feeds’ Meet the Breeder, we spoke with Russel Warrick on behalf of Gerry Harvey, who, bred Swiss Prince, the impressive winner of last Saturday’s Gr.2 James And Annie Sarten Memoria at Tauranga.
How did you get into thoroughbred breeding?
Gerry Harvey purchased Westbury Stud in the later part of 2008, and in 2010, a mare named Sahayb (by Zabeel) was purchased on his behalf at Karaka for $90,000. Sahayb was 12 years old at the time and produced six further foals before her retirement, one of these being the Swiss Ace mare Phoenix, dam of the James & Annie Sarten Memorial G2 winner Swiss Prince.
Tell us about the background of Swiss Prince.
Swiss Prince was a beautifully balanced yearling and caught the attention of several good judges at the sale, finally being knocked down for $130,000 to Karaka identities Rosemary Carter and Brett Kendall, who now race the gelding from the stable of Stephen Marsh along with their daughter Emily. Swiss Prince is a true homebred for the farm, being by Fastnet Rock’s son El Roca from the Swiss Ace mare Phoenix, and it is exciting to see the years of patience from breeding from daughters of Sahayb being rewarded through the efforts of Swiss Prince as he heads to Riccarton for the NZ 2000 Guineas.
Tell us about his sire, El Roca, and his connection to Westbury.
Coincidentally, El Roca, the sire of Swiss Prince, was also reared and sold through the Westbury Stud draft on behalf of his breeders Peter Newsom, Mac Whitehouse, and Tony Wales. El Roca was foaled in Australia and arrived in New Zealand post-weaning to be reared and offered at the NZ Bloodstock National Yearling Sale in 2012, only to be passed in with a reserve of $120,000. It was only a matter of hours after walking through the ring that Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young purchased the colt and trained him throughout his career.
El Roca has been an extremely consistent stallion over the past few seasons with Group 1 performers Travelling Light, Romancing the Moon, Bella Mente, Faraglioni, Mali Ston, Navigator, and Mali Ston, Perfumist, Wewillrock, while he has serious Group 1 opportunities with Swiss Prince and Lollapalooza in both the NZ 1000 Guineas and NZ 2000 Guineas in the upcoming weeks.
What do you love about the thoroughbred breeding industry?
Since acquiring Westbury Stud, Gerry Harvey has bred a significant number of quality horses at the Matamata and Karaka properties, including the likes of Horse of the Year and NZ Derby winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart, Champion Stayer and NZ Derby winner Willydoit, VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound, ATC Oaks winner Sofia Rosa, SA Derby winner Jungle Magnate, Doomben 10,000 winner Music Magnate, Railway Stakes winner Julius, NZ Oaks winner Miss Mossman, Mascarpone, Coupland Bakeries Mile winner Hypnos G2, Swissta G2, De La Terre G3, Ho Ho Khan G3, Marroni G3, Niance G3, Night’s Watch G3, Passing Shot G3, Platinum Command G3, Ranting G3, Renaissance Woman G3, Tuchel G3, Ace of Diamonds, Daytona Red, Dolphin Skin, Domain Ace, East Asia, Essonne, Hursley, Illicit Dreams, January, Just as Sharp, Kadavar, Noah Khan, Peaceful, Red Striker, Romancer, Solidify, Telepathic, The Travelling Man, and Top Prospect. The people and that winning thrill is what its all about!
Best breeding advice you’ve received?
“Breeding such horses comes through patience, dedication and attention to detail along with a good portion of luck! There are no set rules as to breeding which is great — every breeder has the opportunity to breed the next Champion, and as we saw with this week’s Melbourne Cup winner, it is not always the regally bred horse that comes out on top when it comes to raceday!”
