Matings and all that jazz

So we are almost four weeks into the breeding season and we have covered a number of mares. Below is a list of the mares covered thus far:

Amarantine (Badlands Hanover)
Black Hills Rose (Gotta Go Cullect)
Escapades (Gotta Go Cullect)
Graceland (Jeremes Jet)
Ima High Rolla (Elsu)
Living On Love (Gotta Go Cullect)
Mercury Power (Jeremes Jet)
Miss Anvil (Grinfromeartoear)
Priscilla Rocks (Art Major)

Update on Ebony Eye's foal

Sorry for the lack of posts lately - been reasonably busy with breeding, foalings and meetings and trying to fit in a time with my lovely wife as well. It gets hard this time of year.

Our little prem foal took a turn for the worse - he started getting lame in the off hind. We originally thought it would have been a joint ill which is basically an infection in a hoint. This is extremely hard to treat once it takes hold and probably would have resulted in the little guy being put down.
This was on Monday, so on Monday night I was very dejected and annoyed at the world (I will admit I shed some tears). On Tuesday our regular vet had a look at him and thought that the problem wasn't a joint ill (well at least not in the fetlock, hock or stifle - it could still be in a growth plate). So that was great news.

Of course we still don't know exactly what is the cause of the problem, however if it is not a joint ill then anything else seems a lot better to me!

New Foals

Well we had two new foals born over the weekend and both of them were fillies.

First up on Sunday morning we had a lovely Bettors Delight filly out of River Valley Dream NZ.

Then this morning we had a stunning Village Jasper filly out of Corniche Trunkey (pictured).

At this very early stage the Village Jasper filly is going to be a tallish, strongly built filly, while the Bettors Delight will be a more smaller nuggety filly.

So at the moment we have 7 foals - 4 colts and 3 fillies.

Foal Update

Well our little prem foal is going pretty well. He is able to get up by himself now however he still isn't drinking from the mare just yet, but the vets are hopeful he will do that today.

So things are pretty positive at the moment, which is good. The vets also reaffirmed my thoughts that he is a a real fighter!

If he keeps progressing he will be able to be picked up on the weekend or Monday. Fingers crossed.

Foalings and Breedings

While this mornings unexpected foaling was not the best news, prior to that the season has been going well.

Not including today's foaling we have had four healthy foals - 3 colts and a filly and all look good.

Our breeding has been going very well with already a big number of our dry mares bred, of course they will not all go in foal, however the start has been very promising.

One mating has me very excited and that is Priscilla Rocks to Art Major. Priscilla got bred on the 2nd of October so if she goes in foal she will have a nice early foal next year.

Not wanting to tempt fate, but a good sized correct foal by Art Major out of her would have to go close to topping the Perth Yearling Sale.

Funny Thing

Ok it's not that funny - but it is sort of...

Ebony Eye this morning foaled a Northern Luck colt a month early. The colt was alive, but is obviously very small (at a guess 80 - 90 cm tall), weak and couldn't stand up. He had also passed his meconium while in the placenta and his temperature was very low.

So I admit the story isn't that funny yet.

However despite everything that is against this little guy, he still has a strong will to live and a strong sucking reflex.

So while a small, premature foal was before me, the funny thing was that I don't know if I have seen a more cute and heart warming thing as this foal trying to get up and trying to suck anything that got near him!

He is now at the vets and they will treat and care for him as much as they can. His prognosis is not great, but we shall see.

Bunbury Double

We were extremely happy with the results at Bunbury!

We scored a double with Boogiewithmebaby (McArdle - Dream Dancing) and Chillin Dylan (Western Terror - Margareta Ville) both winning very easily.

Boogiewithmebaby was actually McArdle's first downunder winner, however he really struggled as an early 3yo. No with young trainer / driver Justin Prentice he is going better than ever.

Chillin Dylan was always a favourite, a lovely grey colt, he made $35,000 as a yearling to the bid of Neven Botica. So we hope he continues to live up to the promise, and give Neven a good return.

Two in a row?

Well Village Steel put in a great performance to win last Friday.

He is in again tonight and looks a pretty good chance again. He just needs one more win to get to M4 and pretty much guarantee a spot in the Fremantle Cup.

In other news his mother, Graceland, is still hanging on to her foal. She is now nearly 14 days overdue - luckily she doesn't lay down too much at night, otherwise it would not be very fun at all!

Some Nice Chances

We have got some nice chances in over the next couple of days.

Nomore Forusir (Armbro Operative - Pleasedontstop) lines up in the Kalgoorlie Boulder Pacing Cup. Colin Brown was interviewed on OneOut.OneBack (WA's highest rating Harness Racing Show!) and he was very bullish about his chances.

It is quite interesting to note that he will be competing against his younger brother in Haematite (Village Jasper - Pleasedontstop). Wouldn't it be nice for a 1 - 2 finish!

Rojo Gaynes (Village Jasper - Miss Caide) also goes around in race 2 at Kalgoorlie.

On Friday night at Gloucester Park Village Steel (Village Jasper - Graceland) and The Jobs On (Perfect Art - Kenmare) line up in Race 8. Both have been in good form of late and would have to be nice each way chances.

Lots of Rain and No Foals

While the eastern seaboard has been getting hot spring weather we have been getting more winter weather - cold, windy and rainy.

Not that you ever complain with rain.

We now have three mares due to foal, but none are really looking like they are ready to drop right now. The first three mares to foal are:

- Graceland (i/f to American Ideal)
- Miss Anvil (i/f to Art Major)
- Spicks And Specks (i/f to Bettors Delight)

These three will be three of our more valuable foals so touch wood they will all have safe births and produce nice healthy foals.

Looking For A Win

Ionian Jewel will be looking for a win at Gloucester Park tomorrow night. She is still part owned by us as she couldn't garner a bid at the yearling sales.

It has been a while since we have part owned a winner at Gloucester park so hopefully Ruby will put her best hoof forward.

To me she looks to have a good chance, she has drawn three and does get out quick. Anyway fingers crossed!

Breeders Crown

What a day the Breeders Crown is, anyone who wants to experience Harness Racing at it's finest should head across.

Of the WA horses Lombo Crusader went the best finishing fifth in 3yo Final. It was a good run and a good drive by Ryan Warwick.

The other two runners - David Hercules and Ruby Dazzler both performed well below their best. I am not sure what went wrong but everyone knows that they are better than what they showed on Sunday.

All the horses and connections should be congratulated for making the finals - it really is a huge achievement!

Go Some More Please

The chestnut Go Some More (Badlands Hanover - Pleasedontstop) won her fourth race this season when she scored quite easily at Gloucester Park in a C0 - C2 mares race.

Fingers crossed the team at Suvaljko Pacing are getting her back to her best.

There is a 3yo fillies race scheduled for Gloucester Park on Friday night, so I would imagine they will nominate her for that. She should get a start, anyway the fields will be out in a few hours so we shall see!

Boogie On Down

Boogiewithmybaby (by Mcardle out of Dream Dancing) won last night at Bunbury very nicely for new trainer / driver Justing Prentice.

This fellow was actually McArdle's first Southern Hemisphere winner but since then his form has been mixed, however his win was very promising last night - 2:00.1 for the mile with a last quarter in 27.2. So hopefully Justin has got him right.

Dream Dancing is empty this year but has a really nice Ponder weanling (soon to be yearling) filly. This filly is Dream Dancing's best foal (IMHO) and will head to the Gloucester Standardbreds sales next year.

Matings

Still trying to figure out the matings for next season! Having said that we will never really figure them out, as they often change right up to the point of ordering the semen.

On another note we are having some nice rain at the moment after a week of sunshine. Good for the grass.

The Jobs On Wins!

An old favourite of mine broke through for a win at Gloucester Park last Friday night and in doing so also broke through the $200,000 mark.

I am of course talking about The Jobs On.

Well done champ and well done to Jesse and Hayley Moore, as well as the Kannys!

Chillin With Dylan

Chillin Dylan (Western Terror - Margareta Ville) won the 2 & 3yo trial at Bunbury on Monday rating a very respectable 2:00.7. He has had some good wraps on him so the trial win was not surprising, but still good to see!

This guy was a stunning foal from the day he was born and subsequently made $35,000 at the yearling sales when bought by Nevan Botica.

He is Margareta Ville's first foal so fingers crossed he can turn into a very nice racehorse and get her breeding career off to a flying start.

Matings

It is that time of year again when we try and work out all the matings. I ask the boss how much he wants the average service fee to be and then try and work out the matings.

It is a lot like a fantasy footy comp, you have to try and work out the best mix of stallions that will fit under the "salary cap".

It's a fun time!

Apologies

Apologies to the many people that depend on this blog to get through the day! I was away over seas for a few weeks (in France and London) and then I just haven't got back into blogging since.

I am back now though.

The grass is green and horses are growing, so everything is good at the moment!

Special Win

Well I Am Special (Live Or Die - Kelty Star) did lead and did win the Group Three WASBA Breeders Stakes.

It is always a big thrill to breed a Group winner but when it is owned by such nice people as the Fosters it makes it even more special.

Mrs Foster and her son Leigh are wonderful people and they deserve this big win!

I Am a WASBA Breeders Stakes Winner?

I am hoping after tonight that we can call I Am Special (Live Or Die - Kelty Star) a WASBA Breeders Stakes winner.

If ever she was going to win a big race this would have to be it. Sprint Journey, good barrier draw - it all adds up for to win.

Fingers Crossed.

Half a New Mare

Suri (pedigree) was a mare we liked from the minute we saw the catalogue for the PGG Wrightson Mixed Sales in NZ.

Obviously we knew she would go for a lot of money, but she is worth it. A Christian Cullen daughter of a Group One winning Falcon Seelster from the best family in the Southern Hemisphere, and in foal to Bettors Delight! It doesn't get a lot better.

Anyway on Sunday just gone we bid to $45,000 but Gareth Dixon bid to $46,000. $45k was our limit so that was that.

However I knew Dixon wouldn't be spending that sought of money on a broodmare and I had a fair idea who he was buying her for - Harvey Kaplan.

I've got to know Harvey well through an email list originally, and he is a top guy. Very passionate and knowledgeable about breeding, but more importantly just a good guy.

So I gave Harvey a call and sure enough he did buy. When I explained that we were the underbidders he said "why don't you buy half the mare with me". This was a very generous offer which we accepted.

So now we own half of Suri and we eagerly await her Bettors Delight foal which will be due in the latter half of November. 

Suri will be based at Alabar NZ, so this will be the first time we have had a really commercial mare based in NZ. It will be very exciting.

Breeders Crown

It is great to hear that the connections of Sheer Royalty and David Hercules are giving strong consideration to taking their steeds across to the Breeders Crown this season.

To see these type of horses go across to the eastern seaboard and demonstrate their ability is great for the industry in WA. We need more of it.

Just out of interest who was the only WA Bred horse to finish in the placings in a Breeders Crown Final last year?

Ghadasbest finished third in the 2yo Final and he just so happened to be bred by Patrician Park!

Future Love

I thought Living On Love (Village Jasper - Inamorato) ran a real nice race for third in the WA Oaks consolation. On a night when the GP leader bias was really strong, she ran on well from back in the field.

On that run surely a win is not too far away.

Just on the Oaks how good was the run of Sheer Royalty? I had under estimated this filly previously (always thought she was very good amongst not a great crop of 3yo fillies), however her run on Friday night was as good as you will see in a WA Oaks.

Priscilla Rocks Retired

Got the news today that Priscilla Rocks (Pictured Left: Photo Credit Bill Crabb) has been retired. Not the news we hoped for as I used to love watching her go around, however it is also exciting as it is not everyday you get the chance to welcome such a mare into you breeding operation.

A big thanks goes to John and Tracey for retiring her before she broke down. Also I hope Ollie got a great thrill out of racing her.

So as it stands she will retire with $115,710 in the bank and a fastest time of 1:58.9. She was twice placed at the highest level in the Golden Slipper at 2 and the WA Oaks at 3. She also won a prelude of the Oaks, a heat and consolation of the Australasian Breeders Crown and finished third in the Daintys Daughter Classic.

Now just to decide what to breed her to, we are always open to suggestions. She is not a big mare, although her mother Graceland is. Graceland had very little point to point speed and while Priscilla had more, she could still use some extra speed injected into her foals.

Good Day at Trials

I know it was only trials but a couple of 2yo's we bred won trials at Pinjarra quite impressively yesterday.

Hesaveightmate (Northern Luck - Kelty Star NZ), pictured as a yearling left, won his educational trial by 30 metres (there was only one other horse in the trial), rating 2:01.1 and coming home in 59.3.

Peppi La Rue (Live Or Die - Kefallonia) got home by 10 metres in 2:03.3 with a last quarter in 29.1.

Both colts were not expensive yearling purchases with
Hesaveightmate making $12,000, while Peppi La Rue made $9,500. So fingers crossed both will earn their purchase price back pretty soon for their connections.

Also on Sunday, up at Kellerberrin, Kyamba Dream (Modern Art - Bayliner NZ) qualified as well. Kyamba Dream is actually Peppi La Rue's aunty which is interesting.

No Joy at GP

Well the Oaks heats didn't go to plan. Living On Love copped a pretty big check inside the first 200 metres and that was her chance over and Go Some More was probably a touch disappointing.

Go Some More did start from out wide and had to do some work to lead, however once in front her times weren't super quick. However I suppose it was only her second run back and she only benefit fitness wise from the run.

Anyway I still think she is a place chance in the Oaks and as is always the case at Gloucester Park barriers will play a big part.

Go Girls

Looking for a good showing tonight from Go Some More (Badlands Hanover - Pleasedontstop) and Living On Love (Village Jasper - Inamorato) in the second WA Oaks prelude at GP.

At this stage I would say that Go Some More is the better filly, however Living On Love has drawn better.

At her last start Go Some More (Pictured as a yearling) sat 3 wide the trip and still won, so the mile and a half should be no problem. At her best I think she is as good as any 3yo filly in the state.

Living On Love has only had the one start and it was not a bad run. She moved up well but just peaked on her run. So it will be interesting to see how she has trained on. Hopefully she can earn a place in the final.

Motor On Chevy Wins!

Great to see Motor On Chevy (Saab - Kelty Star NZ) get up in the L & S Nelligan Central Wheatbelt 3yo Classic at Kellerberrin on Sunday for the Feast Family.

The Feasts have prepared a number of yearlings for many a year now and have become family friends, so it was great to see them win with a horse we bred.

They prepared Motor On Chevy (pictured above) and took a liking to him and purchased him for $7,500. You can see by the picture that they do a fantastic job with the yearlings!

I also believe it was also Chris' first win as a driver, so congratulations!

Kelty Star is a Caprock full sister to Jillbo. This is the great Bright Highland family. Kelty Star won one race in New Zealand - We purchased from clients of Kim Prentice and so far she is going well as a broodmare.

Her first foal is I Am Special (4yom by Live Or Die) who say far has won $46,959 and taken a time of 1:57.4 and Motor On Chevy is her second.

Welcome

Hi All (maybe someone might read this!),

Welcome to the first post. I have been wanting to start a blog for a while, so while sitting here watching The Footy Show I thought what better time.

On here I aim to hopefully update everyone on the goings on at Patrician Park and acknowledge the results of the horses we have bred.

Cheers,

Brett.