The Waikato Branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeder's Association has bred a winner. Classy two-year-old colt Sanjura is the product of a free stallion service that they give away each April at their showcase event, Breeder's Stakes Day at Te Aroha.
Members are invited to a luncheon under the marquee on the home straight to enjoy a premier day's racing and free giveaways that include a stallion service.
The feature of the day is the free service as well as the Group 1 Te Aroha Breeder's Stakes, a key race solely for fillies and mares run over 1600 metres. It is an occasion for breeders to enjoy the fruits of their labor while they network with their peers. A day traditionally graced with good weather and high spirits, the crisp air of autumn has horsemen anticipating the coming breeding season.
Four years ago in 2004 the free service on offer was to Java Lodge's Sandtrap. It was won by Tirau boutique breeders Kylie Fawcett and Eddie Wright, who bred their winning Kingdom Bay mare La Jura to him. The subsequent foal was a colt they offered at the National Yearling Sales at Karaka.
Thanks to Shane Tuckey, their free service materialised into $27,000 and has since proved a good investment for he and trainers Richard and Chris Otto. The striking bay colt has earned back his purchase price in six starts and can lay claims to having beaten Group 1 Ford Diamond Stakes winner Fully Fledged on the undercard of the New Zealand Derby.
"I told Shane when he bought him that he was a lucky horse because he was made from luck," says Kylie. "He's a real game little horse and they have always rated him, so I can't wait to see what he's going to do next.
"We have 8 mares now, partly thanks to Sanjura, and we've moved past the point of being hobby breeders. We were so rapt, honestly. Eddie had a share in Surprize Surprize who won the Breeder's Stakes that year, so it turned out to be a phenomenal day for us."
The pair is no stranger to the world of horses. Kylie says, "I used to ride when I was at school, and Eddie has always been a racegoer. We decided to get a mare and our breeding venture didn't start very well - our first mare produced a lovely O'Reilly colt that died after 12 hours, and then she died of haemorrhage shortly after her foal, and then our next foal we lost as a yearling.
"Our luck began to change when we bought La Jura and won the service. La Jura was a very, very fast two-year-old. So speedy she had a track record for a while - she ran 56.8 for 1000 metres - so it's great to have bred a two-year-old like Oscar (Sanjura) because every breeder nowadays wants to breed a good two-year-old.
"Every breeder should be at Breeder's Stakes Day, because just look at what can happen," she summarises.
Last year the service on offer was to Highview Stud's Danroad. This year Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan have generously donated a free service to Danehill's son Keeper. The young sire has swiftly made a mark with Stakes Winners Keepa Cruisin, Insouciant, Keep the Passion, and Keep the Message as well as numerous stakes-placed progeny.
For more information go to page 11 of the Bloodline magazine
- Stacy Akers
Members are invited to a luncheon under the marquee on the home straight to enjoy a premier day's racing and free giveaways that include a stallion service.
The feature of the day is the free service as well as the Group 1 Te Aroha Breeder's Stakes, a key race solely for fillies and mares run over 1600 metres. It is an occasion for breeders to enjoy the fruits of their labor while they network with their peers. A day traditionally graced with good weather and high spirits, the crisp air of autumn has horsemen anticipating the coming breeding season.
Four years ago in 2004 the free service on offer was to Java Lodge's Sandtrap. It was won by Tirau boutique breeders Kylie Fawcett and Eddie Wright, who bred their winning Kingdom Bay mare La Jura to him. The subsequent foal was a colt they offered at the National Yearling Sales at Karaka.
Thanks to Shane Tuckey, their free service materialised into $27,000 and has since proved a good investment for he and trainers Richard and Chris Otto. The striking bay colt has earned back his purchase price in six starts and can lay claims to having beaten Group 1 Ford Diamond Stakes winner Fully Fledged on the undercard of the New Zealand Derby.
"I told Shane when he bought him that he was a lucky horse because he was made from luck," says Kylie. "He's a real game little horse and they have always rated him, so I can't wait to see what he's going to do next.
"We have 8 mares now, partly thanks to Sanjura, and we've moved past the point of being hobby breeders. We were so rapt, honestly. Eddie had a share in Surprize Surprize who won the Breeder's Stakes that year, so it turned out to be a phenomenal day for us."
The pair is no stranger to the world of horses. Kylie says, "I used to ride when I was at school, and Eddie has always been a racegoer. We decided to get a mare and our breeding venture didn't start very well - our first mare produced a lovely O'Reilly colt that died after 12 hours, and then she died of haemorrhage shortly after her foal, and then our next foal we lost as a yearling.
"Our luck began to change when we bought La Jura and won the service. La Jura was a very, very fast two-year-old. So speedy she had a track record for a while - she ran 56.8 for 1000 metres - so it's great to have bred a two-year-old like Oscar (Sanjura) because every breeder nowadays wants to breed a good two-year-old.
"Every breeder should be at Breeder's Stakes Day, because just look at what can happen," she summarises.
Last year the service on offer was to Highview Stud's Danroad. This year Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan have generously donated a free service to Danehill's son Keeper. The young sire has swiftly made a mark with Stakes Winners Keepa Cruisin, Insouciant, Keep the Passion, and Keep the Message as well as numerous stakes-placed progeny.
For more information go to page 11 of the Bloodline magazine
- Stacy Akers
