The sad passing of champion racehorse and hugely successful stallion High Chaparral in Ireland last weekend finished off a wretched year for several leading studs and breeders.
High Chaparral was a revelation on and off the track, winning 10 of his 13 starts, including the 2002 Derby double at Epsom and The Curragh, and then passing on his qualities to Australian group1 winners So You Think, It's A Dundeel, Shoot Out and Descarado as well as European star Toronado.
High Chaparral was foaled in 1999 and began stud duties with Coolmore in Ireland in 2004. What he achieved in a decade has been remarkable.
Coolmore started the year on a sad note with the passing of St Nicholas Abbey, which was ready to begin his stallion career.
Darley also lost two of its class acts late this year, just before the start of the southern breeding season – Street Cry and the colonial bred Commands.
Street Cry's stallion deeds worldwide are superior to his race performances. He sired US wonder mare Zenyatta as well as Street Sense and Street Boss. His Australian notables are Shocking, Whobegotyou and Long John.
Street Cry was foaled in 1998 and had to be euthanased on September 17, just two months on from Commands' passing. He was foaled in 1996 but passed away on July 12, leaving in his legacy such brilliant performers as Appearance, Epaulette and Rain Affair. Both stallions were fully booked at Darley and breeders were deprived of two of Australia's best.
One of Australia's oldest sires, Sequalo, died at Lyndhurst Stud, aged 24, on September 24. He was an institution to Queensland breeders; Spirit Of Boom was his No.1 performer, along with Star Shiraz and Miss Longstocking.
Queensland also lost a member of its younger brigade, Captain Sonador, on February 17 at Raheen Stud. He met with great response in his first three seasons and his oldest progeny are two-year-olds.
The above stallions' deaths followed closely behind two terrible losses last year – Northern Meteor and Beneteau.
Bloodlines readers would be well aware of the success Arrowfield's deceased stallion Beneteau has had with his first crop of two-year-olds since passing away.
Beneteau's winning spree continued at Bendigo last Sunday when debutant Parcel ran a track record in winning a 900-metre juvenile. Prepared by Mornington trainer Wez Hunter, Parcel romped home in 51.07 seconds, breaking the 13-year-old record of Innovation Girl, a former Brian Mayfield-Smith speedster which won several times in black-type races.
Bought from the Newhaven Park Magic Millions draft this year for just $12,500, the filly is bypassing the Magic Millions Classic on January 10 as Hunter instead wants to set her for the group1 Blue Diamond at Caulfield in the autumn.
Northern Meteor proved to be one of Australia's greatest losses when he passed away at Widden Stud on July 31 last year.
Sons Zoustar, full brothers Shooting To Win and Deep Field, Eurozone and Fighting Son are his notable racetrack performers.
Buyers at the Magic Millions beginning on January 7 will be eager to secure a yearling by the deceased stallions and they have plenty of opportunities.
Northern Meteor has 27 yearlings, Commands 13, High Chaparral 10, Beneteau 7, Street Cry 6 and Sequalo and Captain Sonador two lots apiece.
Big Brown's boy
Vinery Stud shuttler Big Brown recorded his most significant win as a stallion when giant three-year-old colt Dortmund won the group1 $US500,000 ($616,000)Los Alamitos Futurity at the Orange County track in California.
Prepared by Bob Baffert, Dortmund took his earnings to $US359,400, giving connections a great return on his $US140,000 price at the Fasig-Tipton Midland two-year-olds in training sale earlier this year.
The colt is unbeaten in his three starts to date, and is one of the leading fancies for next year's Kentucky Derby, a race won by Big Brown in 2008. In early derby markets he is quoted as a 9-1 chance.
johnhollysenior@yahoo.com.au
