Thursday 20 February 2014

First Season Sires 2014

It's getting to that time when we start to think about the forthcoming Flat turf season. HCE has its finger on the pulse of two-year-old racing. A topic which many pundits focus is first season sires. British 2yo Racing is a great website for finding gems of wisdom and they have a page which details this information in the justice it deserves. Here are a few of the most expensive stallion fees and background information. There are over 20 new sires who will be trying to make an impact on the breeding scene. It will be interesting to see whether a few two-year-old talents come from these stallions.   

Blame (by Arch) Fee: $30,000

Owner bred in the US by Adele Dilschneider & Clairborne Farm. Trained by Albert Stall. Successful in one of his two juvenile starts when winning a 7f maiden at Keeneland. 41 sold with an average sales price of $182,512. Located at Claiborne Farm, Kentucky. 

Looking At Lucky (by Smart Strike) Fee: $15,000

Successful in five of his six outings as a juvenile beginning with victory in a 6f maiden. Later won a Grade 2 over 6.5f and a Grade 1 over 7f. Followed that with a pair of 8.5f Grade successes and then second in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile over the same distance (behind Vale Of York). 58 sold with an average price of $83, 252. Located Ashford, Kentucky, Coolmore. 

Makfi (by Dubawi) Fee £25,000

Owner bred by Hamdan al Maktoum but sold off at the end of his 2yo season for 26,000gns. He had been in training with Marcus Tregoning at 2yo but the Shadwell team took the decision to 'cull' him unraced at the Tattersalls 'October Horses in Training' Sales. Bought by French trainer M. Delzangles who was specifically looking for a son of Dubawi at the Sale. Mr Delzangles ran him in a 7f maiden in France on November 27th which he won. 55 sold at average price of 65,699gns. Located Tweenhills Farm & Stud 

Rip Van Winkle (by Galileo) Fee: 20,000

Won two of his three starts as a juvenile in a 7f maiden in June and the 7f Group 3 Tyros Stakes in July. 7th of 13 in his final outing that year when 6/4 favourite for the 7f Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes. That a muddling race and only beaten 2 lengths. 60 sold with average sale price of 70,439gns. Located Coolmore.

Lord Shanakill (by Speighstown) Fee: €5,000

Ran eight times as a juvenile for two wins and 5 places. Successful in a 6f maiden in mid May, having been placed on his 5f debut in April, and the 6f Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes. Placed in the Coventry, Richmond, Prix Morny and the 7f Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes. Beaten a nose in a four-way photo finish in the last of those events. 45 sold with average sales price 24,323gns. Located Irish National Stud.

For full list visit British 2yo Racing.