Archive for month: July, 2019

*Edited story by Greg Tobin

It’s somewhat fitting that Saturday’s Listed TAB Lightning Stakes winner, Assertive Approach, is out of a mare called Arrival.

After all, it was an ‘arrival’ of sorts for Mr Pan Sutong’s Goldin Farms which bred and raced, Assertive Approach – the first stakes winner for Dubawi’s Hong Kong Cup winner, Akeed Mofeed.

And yes, the Hong Kong based, Mr Pan, also raced AND stood – for the first five seasons at least – the highly promising Akeed Mofeed.

It’s been an interesting few years for Goldin which purchased, in 2013, what is arguably the most famous thoroughbred real estate in South Australia: Lindsay Park Stud.

No-one can put a number on just how many stakes winners have come off that property over the decades, but since Goldin took up the reins, the graduates include last year’s Group One Thousand Guineas winner, Amphitrite – somewhat fittingly trained by Lindsay Park Racing.

However, Assertive Approach would become the initial black type winner to race in Mr Pan’s white and gold, as Goldin Farm’s bloodstock manager, Brett Campbell, proudly points out.

“He (Assertive Approach) is a very exciting horse,” Campbell enthused. “That was three wins from three starts on Saturday and while we were quietly confident he’d go well in the Lightning, it’s always a relief to get that stakes win under your belt.

“We’ve been unlucky with a couple of Akeed Mofeeds who have gone very close, but Assertive Approach is clearly a very promising horse and, fingers crossed, is gearing up for a successful spring.”

Trained by Team Hawkes, Assertive Approach had his first start at Bendigo in February, winning by a head, but resumed at Sandown in late June with a resounding four length win over 1000m. Although facing tougher company on Saturday, Assertive Approach again led throughout, fighting back strongly despite the late attention from Behemoth, who was last seen in May when finishing a head second behind Despatch in the Group One Goodwood Handicap.

“I have always been confident in Akeed Mofeed as a sire and this win, along with the recent performances of his other progeny, should encourage breeders to support him this spring,” a delighted Pan Sutong said after watching the race in Hong Kong.

Very much an on-pacer like her stakes winning 3-year-old, Arrival was a multiple winning daughter of Choisir who finished second in the Listed Pewsey Vale (over the same journey as the Lightning). Arrival is also a three quarter sister to multiple Melbourne Group winner Tuscan Sling, while other close relations include 4-time Perth stakes winner, Lite’N In My Veins and 2018 Ballarat Cup winner, Kiwia.

Not surprisingly, Arrival will be heading back to Akeed Mofeed this spring, but will have to venture further afield for the privilege as Victoria’s Swettenham Stud will stand the stallion in 2019.

“We couldn’t have been any happier to secure Akeed Mofeed earlier this year…well, as it turns out we could after Assertive Approach’s win on Saturday,” Swettenham Stud’s Sales & Nominations Manager, Sam Matthews points out.

“In those first few seasons Akeed Mofeed got reasonable numbers, but was basically utilised as a ‘private’ stallion. Yet, after his first crop came out and started winning races and made good money in the ring (Akeed Mofeed’s yearlings have sold up to $200,000), he covered 98 mares last spring.

“Mr Pan is sending 33 of his mares to Swettenham this spring and the interest in Akeed Mofeed has been incredible. He’ll certainly cover his biggest book in 2019 and a good many of those already booked are group winners or dams of group winners.

“Encouragingly, despite the stallion’s success at sales, nearly half of the broodmare owners are breeding to race.”

Akeed Mofeed stands at Swettenham Stud in 2019 for a fee of $16,500.

*Story by Greg Tobin, Aushorse

Next time you’re wondering if industry professionals are dispassionate about the horses they train, ride or breed, it will be well worth taking a look at the post-race interview of Lindsey Smith celebrating Scales of Justice’s victory in Saturday’s Group Three The Big Screen Company Bletchingly Stakes over 1200 metres at Caulfield.

Without wishing to age Smith prematurely, it’s hardly the Perth/Warrnambool trainer’s first time on the black type merry-go-round, having saddled up the winners of eight Group Ones: among them Old Comrade and Old Money way back in 2000.

Still, it was an emotion charged Smith who faced the cameras after the Bletchingly, revealing that it’s been a long road back for Scales of Justice who won the Group One Railway Stakes in December 2016, but had been out of the winners’ enclosure since mid-2017 after capturing the Group Three Strickland Stakes at Belmont.

However, Smith’s 6-year-old flyer was firing on all cylinders at Caulfield, sitting just off the pace until turning for home before scooting away in the final stages to score with over three lengths to spare.

“I didn’t think he was going to race again,” Smith points out, referring to a number of injuries Scales of Justice has sustained in the past year. “I’ve nursed him and spoiled him, but he showed on Saturday that it worth all the effort.

“He’s a wonderful horse…got the best eye and best character of any I’ve ever dealt with. It’s easy to get emotional…they are like your children.”

One of the most highly regarded trainers in Western Australia and renowned for his eastern ‘raids’ (Old Comrade won three Group Ones in Perth before capturing the 2002 Australian Cup, while Plastered won the 2004 Victoria Derby), Smith took over 40 boxes at Victoria’s Warrnambool racecourse in May.

Since the satellite operation commenced, Smith has had 13 starters for six winners, including a Listed Winter Championship victory via Reykjavik in early July.

With the backing of his biggest owner, Chris Wells (also part-owner of Scales of Justice) and major syndicators such as Brad Spicer Thoroughbreds, it’s not surprising that the ‘bool stable is filling fast.

As for Scales of Justice, the Bletchingly brings his tally to 10 wins and 11 placings from 24 starts for $1,540,450 in stakes, with his trainer currently formulating some ambitious spring plans.

“If he’s back to his best, then he’s a (Group One) Toorak Handicap (12 October) horse or he’ll go home for the (Group One $1 million) Railway Stakes (23 November),” Smith reveals.

More immediately, a Group One Memsie Stakes tilt on 31 August isn’t ruled out, nor would a slot in October’s $14 million The Everest, for that matter.

A son of Not A Single Doubt, Scales of Justice is a half-brother to three winners – including Listed Warrnambool Cup runnerup, Cruyfforme – and is from the Umatilla mare, Beymatilla, a close relation to Flemington Group winner, King Hoaks.

Purchased out of a paddock but never making it to the track, Beymatilla was the first horse Victorians Gerard and Kathy Hammond ever bred from and, understandably, have maintained a close interest in Scales of Justice’s progress.

The mare was eventually given to Richard Kerry and Jarrod Byers at Millford Thoroughbreds, who put Scales of Justice through the 2014 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale on the Hammonds behalf: with the colt eventually being sold to Boomer Bloodstock’s Craig Rounsfell.

Sadly, Beymatilla died three months short of foaling after getting in foal to Magnus in 2015.

“We thought Scales of Justice would make around $80,000 to $100,000 in the ring. He was a slow maturing horse, but had grown out really well at the farm and was always a nice type,” Jarrod Byers recalls.

“Turns out though that both Craig (Rounsefell) and Robbie Laing were very interested in him and he eventually sold for $180,000.

“It was great for Gerard and Kathy … they breed from three or four mares every year and have been long-time clients.

“There’s a lot of swings and roundabouts in this industry. They sold a Written Tycoon colt for just $5,000 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale which was then pinhooked as a ready to run horse for $90,000 before going on to win over HK$5 million in Hong Kong as New Asia Sunrise.

“So, it’s great to see when they get a result like they did in Melbourne and, for that matter, the entire Scales of Justice team.”

*Story by Breednet

Sun Stud’s perennial champ, Bel Esprit has again notched up 100 individual winners for the season with promising 3YO, Ashrad, leading throughout to notch up his maiden win at Wangaratta last Sunday 21 July.

Although he has gained global attention as the sire of racing immortal, Black Caviar, it’s worth noting that Bel Esprit has sired 682 winners in 11 countries – at a strike rate of 68%! – with over $68 million in progeny earnings. Indeed, his $5.65 million in earnings this season again place him among Australia’s Top 20 active sires.

Meanwhile, 2019 stakes winners such as Tactical Advantage and Belwazi are just two of Bel Esprit’s 52 stakes horses, which also include Group One winners Bel Mer and Bel Sprinter.

With consistency being the key, Bel Esprit has produced – on average – 130 winners a year world-wide for the past 10 seasons and is rapidly gaining currency as a broodmare sire too, particularly in light of the 2019 deeds of Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Beauty Generation, Group One winner Costa Viva and 15 other stakes horses.

At the time of publication, Bel Esprit has credited an additional 7 winners over the past 7 days to his name.

Still hugely popular with breeders, Bel Esprit covered 95 mares last season and stands at Sun Stud in 2019 at a fee of $11,000 with no payment until live foal.

*News from Inglis

Entries for the 2020 Inglis Select Yearling Sales Series are closing soon, with Australia’s leading thoroughbred auctioneer confident of again enjoying a successful sales season with its breeders and vendors.

Inglis will again conduct five select yearling sales – Classic, Premier, Easter, Gold and Scone – in 2020 at Riverside Stables, Oaklands Junction and White Park.

The Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale will comprise of a two-day Premier Session, supplemented by a further two days of the newly formed Showcase Session from March 1-4 while the Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale will expand to the two days of April 19 and 20.

Both Melbourne sales will be held at the magnificently renovated Oaklands Junction precinct.

“We are thrilled with how the Oaklands renovations were received by our clients this year and we look forward to building on that in 2020,’’ Inglis’ Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian said.

“The Premier Yearling Sale was a great success again in 2019 with another increase in average – the 10^th year of the past 11 years we have achieved that – the atmosphere and spirited bidding at Oaklands was fantastic and with the support of the Victorian breeders especially, as well as many interstate breeders, we believe 2020 will be even bigger and better.’’

More than 2000 yearlings were sold through the Inglis Select Yearling Sales Series in 2019 at a market-leading clearance rate of 85%, market-leading average ($114,000) and market-leading gross ($230,000,000).

Inglis also sold the most yearlings in 2019 for $1 million or more, with 19 of the 30 yearlings to sell for seven figures in Australia doing so through Inglis, as well as the only two yearlings to sell for $2 million or more.

Inglis graduates continue to dominate on the track, with 20 individual G1 winners for the 2018/19 season.

Since the start of 2018, Inglis has produced 88% more G1-winning graduates than any other Australian auction house, while 83% of Australian G1-winning 2YOs in that same period that have been offered at auction have been offered through Inglis.

“The success of graduates of Inglis auctions, particularly at G1 level, is very significant and we will be doing our utmost to promote to the buying bench that their chances of buying a G1 winner are dramatically increased by doing business with Inglis,” General Manager of Bloodstock Sales Sebastian Hutch said.

“We are determined to offer our vendors an outstanding service throughout the process and our sales structure for 2020 is a reflection not just of the consideration we have given as a team to where we can improve, but more importantly of the feedback we have received from both vendors and buyers.

“We want to work with each and every one of our vendors to help them to achieve optimum results across the board, starting with identifying appropriate sales targets for the 2020 Yearling Sales Series.

“It is a most important time of the year and while work for the 2020 Series began quite some time ago, our bloodstock team is excited about getting out and about to discuss options with vendors over the coming weeks and months.

“We are committed to offering an outstanding level of service to our patrons, both vendors and buyers.

“Having canvassed feedback throughout the sales season, we have made slight changes that we feel present our clients with an optimal sales structure for 2020.

“There is an absolute commitment amongst our Bloodstock team to working hard for our vendors to achieve outstanding results for our clients.

“Inglis auctions have produced 29 Group 1-winning graduates since the start of 2018, almost double that of the next best Australasian auction house. We are very grateful for the support that has resulted in this success and feel that it affords us the perfect platform to attract buyers from across Australia and right around the world to our sales in 2020.’’

To enter your yearlings for the 2020 Inglis Select Yearling Sales Series, download an entry form at inglis.com.au or contact a member of the Inglis bloodstock team in Melbourne on 03 9333 1422 or Sydney on 02 9399 7999.

Entries close this coming Friday, August 2.

*News from Victoria Racing Club

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) will introduce two new opportunities for young horses to race down the famous Flemington straight this spring.

Flemington will now host the first two-year-old race of the season on Spring Classics Preview Day held on Wednesday 25 September 2019. The new 900 metre sprint for two-year-olds will have the option to be divided into two divisions, potentially based on gender, if the number of acceptances allows.

This new race is intended to give the juveniles valuable raceday experience on Flemington’s course proper on a relatively low-pressure day, with the aim that many of the entrants in this race will progress to take their place in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes on Turnbull Stakes Day and potentially either the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day or the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate on Kennedy Oaks Day.

The Club has also adjusted the distance of the Listed Poseidon Stakes on Turnbull Stakes Day, Saturday 5 October 2019, to 1100m. Previously held over 1400m, this adjustment will allow the Poseidon Stakes to serve as a valuable lead in race for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on AAMI Victoria Derby Day.

“Australia is recognised for the strength of its sprinters with many of the world’s sprinting highlights taking place over the straight six course at Flemington, and we believe that these changes will help to provide a good grounding for the sprinting stars of the future,” said VRC Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon.

“The new two-year old race on Spring Classics Preview Day will offer an important opportunity for younger horses as part of their preparation for racing later in the spring,” Mr Jordon said.

“This is an exciting opportunity for horses early in the season to showcase their Sires and their ability,” said Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria Executive Officer, Charmein Bukovec.

“Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club are supporting Victorian breeders by giving their horses an early opportunity to stamp their mark ahead of the season to come.”

One of the distinguishing features of Flemington’s famous racecourse, the straight six hosts Group 1 highlights including the VRC Sprint Classic, Black Caviar Lightning, and Seppelt Wines Newmarket Handicap.

*By Paul Vetisse, TDN AusNZ

Lindsay Park can sit back and make a Group 1 plan with certainty following a commanding performance from Huntly Castle (Sebring) at Flemington on Saturday that has handed him a golden ticket for a classic start on Melbourne’s premier course in the spring.

The David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained 2-year-old produced an encouraging effort to waltz away with the Byerley Handicap over 1800 metres and one that has guaranteed him a spot in the Group 1 VRC Derby.

The stable was in a bullish mood before the race and the colt didn’t let them down, enjoying a fine ride from jockey Jye McNeil and when the pressure went on Huntly Castle responded in regal fashion.

“He looked really well and it was a very good effort to beat the older horses at Bendigo,” Ben Hayes said. “All his work at home had suggested he had trained on well.”

“He’s needed a bit of time to mature and he should be a good Derby chance for us.”

Hayes was appreciative of the opportunity to test Huntly Castle over more ground at this stage of his career.

“It’s fantastic that they’re putting on these longer races. It gives us trainers the opportunity to develop our stayers and he’s a good example.

“We’ve just got to wrap him in cotton wool now and get him through to the Derby. It takes that pressure off and he really looks like a horse that will run out that distance.”

Huntly Castle wasn’t brilliantly out of the gates and he settled behind the leading pack on the fence and was into the clear soon after straightening.

“We’re really happy and it was a great ride by Jye,” Hayes said. “He slightly missed the kick and got further back than we were expecting, but Jye didn’t panic and had the horse in a good rhythm. He was patient and it was a really good effort.”

Hayes is unsure about Huntly Castle’s immediate programme, but there is a chance he could again run over the same trip next time out.

“We’ll take him home and take the foot off the accelerator,” he said. “We’ll have him on the water walker and keep him ticking over and happy.

“There’s another 1800 metre Derby trial coming up so we could target that.”

Huntly Castle was too good for the filly Marndarra (Foxwedge) with Presently (Hinchinbrook) taking third with the pacemaker Echo Lad (Squamosa) finishing fourth.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the barrier boys, they don’t really get the recognition they deserve,” McNeil said. “He was a bit fractious and was a little bit slowly.

“Thankfully, we were still able to get into a good position and he switched off into a lovely rhythm and it was quite easy in the end.”

Huntly Castle travelled easily and McNeil said he was full of running at the top of the straight.

“My confidence really grew at the bend when I knew I was going to get plenty of space to wind up. He’s a horse that takes a little bit of riding initially and the further the better for him.

“He gave me a really nice feel. The Derby is a long wait and I hope I can stay on him.”

A half-brother to his winning stablemate Friday Funday (Nicconi), Huntly Castle is a son of Friday Hussy (Hussonet {USA}) and she won five races up to 2050 metres.

Her dam Free Friday (Helissio {Fr}) is a sister to the dam of multiple Group 1 winner and former champion 3-year-old colt Weekend Hussler (Hussonet {USA}) and the Listed Nitschke Stakes winner and Group 1 Australian Guineas runner-up Peaceful State (Animal Kingdom {USA}). It’s also the family of the Group 1 William Reid Stakes and Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner Lucky Hussler (Husson {Arg}), the Group 3 Tasmanian Derby winner Phantom Thief (Jade Robbery {USA}) and his half-brother Saturday Fever (Groom Dancer {USA}), who won the Group 3 Manion Cup.

Mitch Brown has swapped fairways for paddocks in a new bloodstock role for Swettenham Stud and the former professional golfer and thoroughbred addict believes he’s made the transition at the perfect time.

32-year-old Mitch Brown carved out a successful golf career in Australasia and Asia, but the nomadic life was far from ideal with a young family. He is now delighted to be part of the team at Adam Sangster’s Victorian nursery.

“It’s really exciting and a very strong stallion roster this year. It’s probably the best for a long, long time and I’m extremely fortunate to be part of it all,” Brown said.

The Swettenham line-up features the Group 1 winners Akeed Mofeed (GB), Highland Reel (Ire), Sioux Nation (USA), Toronado (Ire), Trust In A Gust and the Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Puissance De Lune (Ire).

”I’ve found that I’m managing clients that I’ve got and a lot of them are just coming to us,” Brown said.

“With Sioux Nation we’ve got the Scat Daddy side of things covered and they’re winning everything at the moment and Highland Reel’s by Galileo. He won seven Group 1s and his race track record is probably superior to any stallion out there at the moment and his sire line and dam is unbelievable.

“The beauty of the roster Adam has put together is that it doesn’t matter what mare you’ve got, she’ll match to at least one of the stallions here.”

Brown grew up in Sydney and when his sporting attention turned to golf it also fuelled his interest and love of the thoroughbred game.

“Dad was my greatest influence and I was very sporty when I was young,” he said. “I was playing football and cricket and he encouraged me to hone my focus and concentrate on golf.

“He wasn’t the greatest golfer himself, but he loved the sport. Having a love and passion for a sport is the most important thing and that’s how I feel about racing.

“When I was younger I was a member of the Bankstown Golf Club and it’s not too far from Warwick Farm so a lot of the racing people played there and I became friends with a lot of them.

“I played professional golf for 10 years and travelled throughout Australasia and Asia. I won the New Zealand PGA in 2010 and was quite successful, but no superstar.

“I did very well, but I pulled it back a bit. With two young kids it’s hard to travel so it was the right time to get into another role.”

“I was hardly ever at home and I was always studying the form and I was very much into the breeding side of things, that really interested me. I found I was studying it all the time and with social media it was easy to see what was going on.”

Brown has dabbled in pinhooking and breeding with a few friends in more recent times.

“We pooled our money and the mother of one of our mates owned a lot of mares that were racing and she didn’t want to go down the breeding path,” he said.

“So we got a few of her mares and I’m doing the pedigrees and we’ll obviously be using the Swettenham stallions.”

A family connection to a high-profile racing identity and an introduction to a bloodstock agent has also furthered Brown’s bloodstock experience.

“My father-in-law is best mates with Rupert Legh and he’s been very good to me and helped to promote me. He’s really pushed me along a lot,” Brown said.

“A good friend of mine knew Brad Spicer really well and I phoned him and asked if I could meet him and tag along at the sale with him,” Brown said.

“Brad said yes, absolutely, so he took me and showed me the ropes and introduced me to people. It’s been great, Brad and Rupert have been extremely helpful and influential.”

Brown is now continuing his progression at Swettenham and is taking every opportunity to further his experience under Sangster and Sales and Nominations Manager Sam Matthews.

“It’s a real honour. Adam knows all about horseflesh and you can learn more in one day beside Adam than you would in a year with most,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to be able to work with such a strong and respected Victorian stud and an exciting and emerging stallion roster. I’m very lucky.”

*Story from TDN AusNZ

Rosemont Stud will throw open the gates to its impressive Gnarwarre Stud in Geelong on Saturday, August 10 for an 11am sharp parade of their high quality stallion draft for 2019.

Starspangledbanner is expected to have settled in by then and be the star attraction along with new arrival Shamus Award. Evergreen StarCraft and exciting young sire Nostradamus will round out the parade.

Starspangledbanner returns after a couple of seasons standing in Australia back at his major owner Coolmore in the Hunter Valley and will be a sight for sore eyes for Rosemont’s Anthony Mithen.

“We can’t wait to have him back at the farm. He is almost fully booked so it will be great to show the breeders that are supporting him what a lovely horse he is. He has had a good season in Ireland and has arrived into quarantine in Melbourne and he is expected to come through the gates in the first week of August,” Mithen said.

Shamus Award’s arrival into the Victorian breeding ranks rates as a major coup. With major owner Sean Buckley keen to have the son of Snitzel closer to his base in Victoria, Rosemont negotiated the deal to relocate the now Group 1 sire to their Geelong base.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for Victorian breeders. The way he is going I can assure breeders he will not stay at his current fee ($11,000) in the seasons to come. In fact, there was a discussion about raising his fee this year, but we felt we needed to honour the bookings that we had already taken at $11,000. He will cover a limited book and there are very few spots left. I would think that when breeders see him parade, he will be chockablock,” he said.

“We are very grateful for Sean Buckley and Viv Oldfield’s support with the horse and hope their trust will be well-placed here in Victoria. He is low flying with quality horses popping up in town all over the country. His winners to runners ratio is off the charts and of course he is now the Group 1 sire of Mr Quickie, our Queensland Derby hero. He’s a lot of horse for just $11,000.”

Evergreen stallion Starcraft will once again stand under the “Toss The Boss” conditions where breeders can choose whether they want a colt or filly. If they get what they want, they pay the reasonable service fee of $8800. If they don’t get the foal they wanted (colt or filly) they pay no fee.

“We think this will be the last year we offer this structure, so I would encourage breeders to get involved. We want to look after Starcraft, so this will most likely be the last year of the deal.”

There is much excitement surrounding the first runners in the new season for Nostradamus with some street corner stable whispers suggesting they will run early. Dealing down on the $8800 might see some Rosemont clients right in the box seat if the scuttlebutt turns to reality.

“I know Philip Stokes has a very high opinion of one of the fillies we have given him. She is out of an Octagonal mare and if there had been races for yearlings, she might have already had a couple of starts. It’s really exciting for all of us.

The stallion parade is open to all, but RSVPs for catering purposes are essential. Contact the Rosemont office on 03. 5220 6501 or simply email office@rosemontstud.com.au if you plan on attending.

The parade will be followed by a BBQ lunch with the races on the big screen.

North-east Victoria’s Riverbank Farm is having their best run ever, with a flood of winners in the past 6 weeks from their resident stallions, led by Skilled, Anacheeva and Redente.

With more than 14 winners recorded at national racetracks such as Flemington, Cranbourne, Bairnsdale, Scone and Fannie Bay, the winners roll includes Hurry Home Harry, Crimson Ace, Come On Carl, Engadine, Eagle Point and the homebred Beautiful Bee.

Amassing just short of $1 million in stakes during a 12-start career, Anacheeva has his name on the Caulfield Guineas honour roll alongside the likes of Starspangledbanner, Redoute’s Choice, Vain and Heroic.

Also the winner of the Gr.3 Guineas Prelude and the Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes, Anacheeva was a versatile galloper who showed up early winning a Sale 1200m maiden by three lengths at debut.

One of 88 stakes winners sire by the Danzig stallion Anabaa, Anacheeva showed good and adaptable form from 1200m to 2400m. His progeny have secured 37 win this season from 22 runners including recent winners Framework, Sterling Acheeva and Sleek Acheeva. 

In April this year, Fiscal Fantasy became Group winner number two for Skilled, when she won impressively in the Group 3 Manwatu Breeders Stakes at Awapuni, New Zealand.

By the late sire Commands, Skilled’s dam line is a strong as his sire line with his dam being the Group 2 Sandown Guineas winner Dextrous who is excelling at stud with six of her seven foals to race being winners including the dual Group 2 winner Sidestep and the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes winning Ambidexter.

Skilled’s family is one that has been producing high quality racehorses for generations and includes Many Hands, Proverb and one of the greats of the Australian turf, Emancipation.

Redente is as well-bred as they come, being a son of the late super stallion Redoute’s Choice. His dam is Group One Australia Stakes winner Stella Cadente, who has produced multiple stakes performers. The family also includes Eau d’Etoile, Bint Marscay and Filante.

Just over a two hour drive from Melbourne, the family-run Riverbank Farm is situated opposite Benalla racecourse and was established around 30 years ago by Adrian and Dorothy Osborne. As well as affordable agistment, Riverbank caters for every stage from foaling, breeding, weaning and spelling to the racetrack.

Upon retiring in September 2014, Adrian and Dot handed the reins to their son, horse trainer Russell.

Together with his wife Caroline, an equine vet and current TBV Board Member, they have established their own broodmare band and have a number of their own home-bred horses which are trained and raced by Russell.

Their vision is for all clients to experience the thrill of breeding and owning a winning racehorse through offering top quality stallions at affordable prices.

The latest arrival to Riverbank, Bon Aurum will stand this breeding season alongside other resident stallions Boulder City, Redente, Skilled, Wayed Zain, Von Costa De Hero and Anacheeva.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Growing up in South Africa, Carla Aliphon enjoyed riding ponies and attending pony club but a career in the thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia was far from her mind. Aged 15, she moved with her family to Australia where she finished her high school education. Following this, Carla decided to enrol in the University of Melbourne’s Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Horse Management) at Glenormiston which set her on the career path to where she is today.

As part of her Diploma’s practical component, Carla worked for renowned horseman Greg Bennett at his property in NSW. Alongside learning skills in breaking and pre-training, Carla also got to care for a future star of the turf Makybe Diva, during her placement. The triple Melbourne Cup winning mare was a 3 year-old at the time and Carla helped with her pre-training and re-education before she went into training with Lee Freedman. The rest as they say is history, and a very successful one at that!

For her second work placement, Carla worked at Eliza Park (now Sun Stud). It was this placement under the guidance and mentorship of Brett Grayling that gave Carla a firm grounding in the care of broodmares and knowledge and techniques for foaling down mares. This insight into the breeding industry, instilled a passion which she still has today.

After graduating from Glenormiston, Carla returned to complete many further breeding seasons at Eliza Park. She also spent breeding seasons working overseas and her international experience has included stints at the renowned Derrinstown Stud in Ireland and at Kentucky-based Pin Oak Stud in America.

Having travelled to Europe and America working with horses, Carla had the travel bug and in 2007 she hung up her lead rope and spent over 3 years working as a tour guide throughout Europe.

“It was a great opportunity where I was being paid to travel and see the wonderful cities and different cultural experiences that Europe has to offer,” says Carla.

Adding another variation to her CV, Carla also spent 2 years working for a heli ski company in Canada.

Now in her second season at Cityview Farm in Gisborne South, Carla is relishing working in a more boutique farm environment.

“Having worked at many big Stud Farms around the world, I am enjoying having a smaller number of horses in my care. I can give more of a personal touch to the horses and learn a bit more about their individual personalities, which is something I thoroughly enjoy.”

Cityview Farm is located on the same land as the famed St John’s Lane Stud, an operation owned by Doug Reid, breeder of the great mare Maybe Mahal, among many others. Under Carla’s watchful eye, the farm specialises in mares and foals, offers agistment and sales preparation, foaling down and weaning, as well as servicing many of the local studs with walk-in mares.

“We are keen to support Victorian Stallions and hope to have a good quality draft of Victorian bred horses heading for the Melbourne Premier Sale.”

Ever keen to learn and increase her knowledge base, Carla built a good professional rapport with reproductive Vet Ian Douglas during her time at Eliza Park and continues to work alongside him at Cityview Farm today.

“When you work in the breeding industry, there is always something new to learn and that is something I enjoy,” said Carla.

When away from the farm, Carla relishes staying fit and active and is a member of the local Macedon Ranges Running Club. A keen painter, Carla also enjoys creating abstract art, drawing animals and nature, and of course painting pictures of horses!

Advice Carla has for anyone wanting to get involved in the breeding industry?

“A passion for horses is essential. There are long hours involved, especially during the breeding season or during Sales times where you have to forego many social commitments, but if you have a passion for horses it is a very rewarding industry to be involved in.”

For more information about Cityview Farm you can contact Carla directly on 0475 999 011 or visit www.cityviewfarm.com.au