Reliable Man unchanged at the top of Westbury Stud roster
Westbury Stud’s Russell Warwick has implored breeders to continue to support the industry as the New Zealand farm announced an unchanged fee of NZ$15,000 (all fees plus GST) for their headline sire Reliable Man (Dalakhani), despite a successful season on the track.
Dual Group 1 winner Tarzino (Tavistock), whose first yearlings went through the sales ring this year, El Roca (Fastnet Rock), Redwood (High Chaparral) and Swiss Ace (Secret Savings) will all stand for decreased fees in 2020.
“It is imperative for breeders to mate their mares this year, as the long-term future of the New Zealand Industry is dependent on mares being bred and as many foals as possible being born in 2021,” Warwick said.
“Under the difficulties breeders are faced with, we have taken a proactive approach this year to ensure that the service fees of our stallions provide our clients with value and the ability to breed a good horse at a realistic cost, while they must have an opportunity to make a profit should they choose to sell.
“In respect of the horse numbers (the foals born or about to be born), the pathway for the next two racing seasons is set to a degree, but the future foal crops which will affect yearling sales and the number of horses which will be available to race from the 2023-24 season and beyond, will fall upon the decisions made by breeders mating their mares in 2020.”
Reliable Man’s season was highlighted by Miami Bound who landed the VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) and Wakeful Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) in the spring. He is also the sire of impressive Frank Packer Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) winner Kinane and Battenburg, who was third behind Shadow Hero (Pierro) and Castelvecchio (Dundeel) in the Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m).
The top price paid for a Reliable Man yearling at this year’s Karaka Yearling Sale was NZ$330,000 for the Westbury Stud-consigned colt from Oh So Royal (Danzero) who was purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. John O’Shea also secured the colt from Baggy Green (Galileo) for $280,000, while Japan’s Big Red Farm went to NZ$260,000 for the colt from Way to Win (More Than Ready). Of the eleven yearlings by the dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner sold in Book 1 at Karaka, six made $200,000 or more.
Tarzino will stand for NZ$12,000, down from NZ$15,000, despite his first crop being well received by buyers at this year’s yearling sales. The dual Group 1 winner’s progeny averaged $155,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale with a top lot of $230,000, a colt out of Eau de Parfum (Redoute’s Choice) purchased by DGR Thoroughbred Services Pty Ltd in partnership with Mick Price Racing.
There were also 16 of Tarzino’s yearlings purchased at Book 1 of the Karaka Yearling Sale this year, at an aggregate of NZ$1,377,500 and average of NZ$86,094, with progeny secured by Henry Dwyer, Joe Pride, Shaune Ritchie, Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Mick Price, Troy Corstens, Mitchell Freedman and Steve Richards.
Despite siring his maiden Group 1 winner courtesy of Travelling Light’s Levin Classic (Gr 1, 1600m) in January, El Roca’s fee has been reduced from from NZ$9,000 to NZ$8,000.
Redwood, whose progeny is headed by last year’s Toorak Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) runner-up Night’s Watch, will also stand for a fee of NZ$8,000, down from NZ$10,000, while Swiss Ace’s fee has also been reduced from NZ$10,000 to NZ$8,000.
Rounding up the Westbury Stud roster is Telperion (Street Cry), the half brother to Group 1 winner Kementari (Lonhro), who will stand at an unchanged fee of NZ$5,000.
Westbury Stud
2020 2019
Reliable Man NZ$15,000 unchanged
Tarzino NZ$12,000 NZ$15,000
El Roca NZ$8,000 NZ$9,000
Redwood NZ$8,000 NZ$10,000
Swiss Ace NZ$8,000 NZ$10,000
Telperion NZ$5,000 unchanged
*all fees plus GST