Wellfield Lodge

September the first has arrived, and the serving barn at Wellfield has burst into activity. Handsome Ransom is commencing his fourth breeding season at the farm, Alamosa his second, and particular excitement centers around the new career for the two times Group one winning son of super sire Encosta de Lago, Road to Rock.

“Like everybody, we’ve seen plenty of rain, but it has been pretty warm, and many of our empty and maiden mares are cycling nicely. As a result, Road to Rock is going to be a busy boy over the next few weeks!” commented Wellfield’s Huw Taylor.

“He’s been well received by the breeding public, both in terms of nominations, and breeders continuing to take the opportunity to purchase shares in the horse. He fills the eye magnificently as a type, has an Australian race record that jumps him into the elite category amongst stallions standing in New Zealand, and has a pedigree that makes him a lovely cross for a so many families.”

“We will look to serve around 100 mares with him in this first season. At that level, we feel we are looking after the horse as he develops, and looking after the shareholders and fee paying breeders with a potential first crop that will be strong enough in numbers to see a reasonable representation at all of the key Australasian sales, and allow all breeders to see a real return from a fee at a competitive level without market place saturation.”

“The quality of some of these early mares is really exciting too. Before the weekend he will have seen mares like Ruppertsburg (Daughter of Clear Rose – Group One, Two, Three winner), Hanabananah (Listed winner in Australia), Tehama (Listed winner, ½ sister to Darcybee), and Cold Shoulder (1/2 sister to Melbourne Cup winner Efficient).

“He’s also got some crackers waiting in the wings, mares such as Vedodara (a listed winner in her own right, and the dam of three multiple group winners Sharvasti, Bhandara, and Shastri), Noubeel (a ¾ sister to Zatella, dam of Sasa), Bering Island (a ½ sister to the British Group One winner Crowded House), Natalia (a daughter of Group Two winner Natalie Wood, ½ sister to Richard Beymer, L winner, Group placed), Verlei (a group three winner) and Zilt (a smart winning daughter of Marnie’s Magic).”

“We are continuing to build a first rate syndicate around him, and have the ability to build that steadily to get the best and strongest ownership structure in place, which will ensure the horse every chance, and his shareholders the best opportunity of success. We have a wide number of private breeders with shares now, as well as larger scale operators like the Vela brothers, Scott Williams, and Little Avondale”.

“We have bullishly gone out and declared this horse to be the most commercialy viable new Stallion to arrive amongst the host of new horses that have arrived this year, but do so with complete conviction. We’ve got the horse with the race record, physical type and page that all of our key marketplaces will seek, and he is going to be seeing mares in numbers of a quality that can only instill confidence in any potential breeder or shareholder.”

Handsome Ransom"s highest profile horse in Macau has added further to his already significant reputation, as he moves through the grades with another win, his third in a row, over 1000 metres on Saturday night.

From a wide draw, some early speed was required to cross a full field of fourteen to take a position just back and outside the leader, where he stayed until asked to seriously sprint at the 250 metre mark. He kicked past and away, winning like a very good horse wins by two lenghts with nothing else coming at him.

The dam of Circuit Glory, Scot Williams "Al Chante" is currently at Wellfield, where she will covered again by Handsome Ransom. Whatever the result, the "big brother" has already left some big shoes to fill, and he"s certainly not done yet!!

An impressive colt born at Pencarrow Stud, well boned and muscled, out of "Macchiato".

Wellfield are very happy to be involved with Catriona Williams, and the Catwalk quest to raise funding for research into spinal cord injuries. One of the organisations main fundraising efforts for 2010 is the partcipation of Catriona and many other of the Charity"s supporters in the New York Marathon.

A service to our sensational new Stallion Road to Rock is available by tender through the Catwalk website, . The date for the tenders to be in is 30th September, with an announcement being made on the 1st October. For full details, co to www.catwalk.org.nz, or contact Catriona on 0274 818108. To inspect Road to Rock, contact Huw Taylor on 027 4554999 or huw@wellfield.co.nz

What a sensational opportunity to get involved with an incredibly important fundraising effort, by booking your mare to the most exciting new sire for 2010!

The first foals by Wellfield Stud’s champion racehorse Alamosa are starting to arrive at a number of New Zealand’s premier nurseries.

“There are four on the ground so far, and we are delighted both by what we’ve seen and what we’ve heard” commented Wellfield’s Huw Taylor. “The most recent foal is a cracking filly, born here last night. She is the first foal out of Everswindell, who was the Group Two New Zealand Cup winner. She was also multiply Group placed, including placings in both the 1000 Guineas and Wellington Cup. She’s a chestnut mare, and has left us a strong, well muscled bay filly.”

“ Scott Williams has had a smart colt out of Cats Tango, a winning daughter of Snow Reason at Rich Hill. Snow Reason is a grey mare, and the colt is brown. Leon Casey tells me he has a very nice brown colt at Pencarrow out of Macchiato. She is a winning Night Shift mare who has already left a listed winner in Australia.”

“His first foal was a filly born here a bit early three weeks ago. She is strong feisty type, who is thriving despite her premature arrival, and will be fine. Again she is brown.”

“It’s a small representation obviously, but it’s good that the strong colour that Alamosa has, inherited from O’Reilly, seems to be dominant, and when Studmasters like Leon Casey and John Thompson are telling us how happy they are, it’s great to hear!”

“He got a sensational book of mares in terms of quality, and we are now semi-patiently expecting foals from Mares such as Cannsea (G1 Railway and G2 Concorde handicap winner), St Jessie (G3 winner), and Zeta Black (Listed winner), all currently in the foaling paddock and imminent!”

Four times Group One winner, Champion three year old, and son of Champion Sire O’Reilly, Alamosa stands this season at a fee of $15,000 + GST, with a $1500 rebate available to breeders who pay their fee upon receipt of a positive 42 day pregnancy test.

Two Handsome Ransom colts had their first trip to the trials on Tuesday, one at Waipa and one at Otaki, both impressive winners of their respective heats.

At Waipa, an unnamed Keith and Brendon Hawtin three year old colt out of "Smooth Moves" won nicely, the fist of the mares four foals to win or place at a trial or race.

At Otaki, a colt trained by Andrew Campbell out of "Belongs in Lights" won his two year old heat. The colt is the first foal for the mare owned by the same connections as "Tavistock", obviously with the same trainer too. They have a full brother on the ground too, now a yearling, who Andrew describes as a very nice type.

Considering both sets of trials were held on very wet, holding tracks, the wins are more meritorious, as the progeny of Handsome Ransom do not enjoy the heavy surfaces as a rule. Two colts to keep a watch on definetly - if they stay in New Zealand!!

Circuit Glory (Hansdome Ransom / Al Chante) has made it two starts for two wins in Macau, starting as favourite, and winning very convincingly by 3 1/2 lengths win going away from his opposition. Having drawn wide, he had to do a fair bit of work to sit just off the leader, but then powered past and away at the 200 metre mark.

Bred by Bloodstock Resources out of the Al Akbar mare Al Chante, there is a full sister who has just turned two, and a daughter of Al Chante, Hurricane Rosie, a two times winning Pins mare, also visited Handsome Ransom last year.

One Uncool Cat

Tara Madgwick - Sunday, 15 August 2010

The win of smart sprinter Winter King in the Listed STC Starlight Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday marked a milestone for his sire One Cool Cat (USA), who is regarded by many industry insiders as a leading contender for the dubious title of ‘worst shuttle sire’ to venture to the Southern Hemisphere.

In winning the Starlight Stakes, the David Payne trained Winter King (pictured www.stevehart.com.au) became the first Australasian stakes-winner for his sire, who shuttled from Coolmore to Cambridge Stud in New Zealand for four seasons, Winter King emerging from his first crop.

Winter King was purchased by renowned judge Les Samba for $175,000 from the Wellfield Lodge draft at the 2008 NZB Premier Yearling Sale and is raced by Samba in partnership with his longtime friend Ron Medich.

Mr Samba has enjoyed much success buying from the New Zealand (and Australian) sales and invariably seeks out the seriously good types so it’s no surprise that he would unearth the best of the One Cool Cats.

A half-brother to stakes-winner How Good Is He from the Bletchingly mare Something Special, Winter King was a natural runner from the start splitting Real Saga and Onemorenomore when finishing second in the Listed AJC Breeders Plate on debut at two.

The now four year-old gelding has gone on to win seven races from 17 starts earning $331,105, so has proven a good investment.

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Flying finish gets Fatkid home

Michael Lee
Sunday, August 15, 2010

Trainer Tan Hor Khoon thought even-money favourite Fatkid would have to settle for second best at the 200m in Race 6 on Sunday.

The last-start winner spotted about three lengths to second elect Chief Secretary who was showing no signs of letting up for jockey Saimee Jumaat in a bid to take the $65,000 Novice race (1600m) from pillar to post.

But jockey Soo Khoon Beng was also not giving up as he kept riding Fatkid, a misnomer given his pint-sized stature, with renewed vigour to the line. With 50m to go, it looked like the winning post would come too soon, but in a last-ditch effort, Fatkid lunged in at the post to earn the verdict by a head.

Soo Khoon Beng and Fatkid (outside) drive late to snatch victory from Chief
Secretary (Saimee Jumaat) in Race 6 on Sunday.

Tan admitted he had given hope at the 200m mark but was confident his ward would fight to the end.

“I honestly didn’t think he could catch Saimee’s horse,” said Tan.

“But KB has kept him smothered in a nice midfield position and was able to save him for that amazing last burst that he has.

“He’s a horse who will give chase when a horse is ahead of him. There’s not much of him and that’s why he will hardly work after today’s win.

“The owners also owned Fat Boy, who was a pretty useful sort for us. But this one is a lot better.”

Tan said he would just potter around with the Handsome Ransom four-year-old and hoped he would keep improving.

“I don’t have any big plans for him. Maybe find a Graduation race for him next,” he said.

Soo also thought Fatkid had an insurmountable task halfway up the straight, but paid tribute to his mount’s never-say-die attitude to collar the leader in the nick of time.

“He’s small but has such a big heart. Head-to-head, he just wants to run faster,” said Soo in his typical simple style.

Simple, but effective.

An incredible victory from Fatkid on Sunday night highlighted an impressive showing for the progeny of Handsome Ransom at Kranji over the weekend - three runners, one winner and two placings. The smart mare Smitten Kitten was third in the same race as Fatkid (1600m Novice), and Lucky Steed improved again, running third in the Restricted Maiden (1200m).

With 200m to go, tickets with Fatkid to win were being torn up with the gelding having no racing room, but as soon as the space appeared, he was through it, and past them, winning by a nose having given the leader a multiple length start. Very impressive.

Lucky Steed still looks a bit green, but some racing experience and a bit more ground should see him the next Handsome Ransom winner at Kranji (Currently four runners for three winners).

The first Alamosa foal has hit the ground at Wellfield Lodge, and the farm is now looking forward to a busy breeding season with the first crop of Alamosa foals in front of them, and mares in numbers arriving to the three Wellfield Stallions, foundation horse Handsome Ransom, Alamosa, and new boy Road to Rock.

“It’s obviously an exciting time” commented Wellfield’s Huw Taylor. “Alamosa’s book last year was breathtaking in terms of its quality. He has a syndicate behind him with some serious broodmare firepower, but it was great to see these farms supporting him with some of their best. They included Mares with sensational racetrack performances such as Cannsea, St Jessie, Astralita, Out of Align, Everswindell, Bexley, and Dannevegas, proven producers such as Vedodara, Alpine, Grace and Power, Impulsive Rhythm, Kirin Belle, Shakila, Shezabeel, Something Special, and You Beauty, and wellrelated mares such as Akris, Mumbai, Anna Joy, Young American, Pinot Gris, Emily Jane, Peretti, and Tinkerbabu.”

“His book this year is building very nicely. He’s obviously very attractively priced at $15,000, and is being well supported again by both the syndicate and outside mares. We’ve just booked five mares to him from one private breeder which is a very solid vote of confidence in the horse. I’ve got a good number of people waiting until there are a few foals on the ground that they can come and inspect, with mares to be confirmed at that point.”

“Our new horse Road to Rock has been very well received. He sells himself once people have seen him, as he’s a simply stunning horse. The Encosta de Lago factor and the two Group One wins in Australia are the icing on the cake.”

“ We are steadily syndicating him, and several of the shares we have sold have eventuated from people inspecting him planning to send for the season, but then having the confidence to commit to him as a shareholder off the back of their inspection. The marketplace is tough this year with a lot of new horses, but we are benefitting from having the right horse at the right price, and a syndication structure that allows breeders to spread their payments.”

“Handsome Ransom had a quieter year last year, as breeders waited to see his first crop racing, and as many breeders in that breed to race marketplace tightened their belts. We were delighted with his season, finishing second in the second season sires list, and having a number of progeny group performed, including Handsome Zulu, 3^rd in the Derby, and subsequently sold to Hong Kong.”

“He’s actually had nearly as many winners in Asia as he’s had here now, and is travelling at 75% winners to runners up there, which is a sensational result. It seems that if a Handsome Ransom wins or places in a trial, it’s sold and gone, which is generating fantastic returns for breeders from a $4000 fee. That success has been key to him building a nice looking book for this year, plus we have added a filly foal rebate for those that support him. The breed to race market has been very tough for breeders for a couple of years now, but Handsome Ransom is justifiably now being viewed as a competitively priced horse that can be visited with a high degree of confidence of producing sound, strong raceable and tradeable progeny.”

Robert Pricott"s talented gelding The Cruncher (Handsome Ransom/Falcons Fire), won very nicely last Saturday at Te Rapa, fresh up after a good winter break, and promises good things for the Spring.

Group performed as a two year old, he took his tally to three wins as a three year old, and Robert tells us he has come in very well, big, strong, and thriving in his work. Particuarly pleasing was to see him winning so well on a slow track, when his preference has always been for the better surfaces. Look out as the tracks improve!

Wellfield Sire Handsome Ransom has continued to build on an already strong reputation in our Asian market places, with his two runners at Kranji over the weekend both winning.

On Friday night, ‘Lucky Rise’ (Handsome Ransom/Pipit) settled towards the rear of the field before being hooked out wide at the two hundred meter mark to run past a nice field of maiden horses over 1200 metres.

Amongst a high quality card on Sunday night, ‘Fatkid’ (Handsome Ransom / Grace Jones) was severely hampered on at least three occasions over 1600 meters, and winning looked impossible with one hundred meters to go before he eventually found some racing room, and slashed home.

From just four runners in Singapore, Handsome Ransom has now produced three winners, is two for two in Macau, and one from two in Korea. Each centre has numbers of horses in work, but as yet unraced, and the same is the case in Hong Kong, with at least half a dozen in residence, including Handsome Ransom’s flag bearer of the domestic season, the Group One and Two placed Handsome Zulu, who was sold following his placing in the New Zealand Derby.

‘This flow of Handsome Ransom’s into Asia is obviously creating some fantastic results for breeders and trainers’ commented Wellfield’s Huw Taylor. ‘He leaves a good strong type, with a good brain, horses that looked like they would suit the Asian training environment, and now the results are demonstrating that they are going to do very well’.

‘He’s had nearly as many winners offshore now (including two in Australia), as he has had here at home, and yet he’s still sitting second in the second season sires list. He’s also in the top ten three year old sires list, and has the lowest service fee of any horse in either list. These Winners are all coming from non-commercial mares, and breeders in that market place should take note that some magnificent returns are being produced.’

Handsome Ransom will stand again at $4000 + GST for the 2010 season, and Wellfield are also offering a $2000 rebate should the resulting foal be a filly.

Handsome Ransome continues to enhance his reputation in our Asian marketplaces. Two of his sons have found their way to Macau, and both are winners, the latest success coming over the weekend, when "Circuit Glory" won by 4 1/2 lengths over 1200 metres on the Turf, at his first start. The horse went up to Macau having placed in two of four trials here in New Zealand.

Rockin’ It with Wellfield!

Wellfield Lodge have kicked in with a tremendous contribution to ongoing research into Spinal Cord Injury, donating a Road To Rock service fee to the cause.

News of the donation has been described as ‘magnificent’ by the beneficiary, the CatWalk SCI Trust.

“Road To Rock is poised to become a real star,” said CatWalk founder Catriona Williams. “Bill Gleeson and the Wellfield team have been so generous and I can assure you that every dollar raised from this donation will help get ‘wheelies’ rocking on down the road to success!”

The Wellfield donation will be targeted to support racing enthusiasts Chris Weaver, (Ellerslie’s CEO) and Williams (Little Avondale Stud) in their efforts to run the New York Marathon on November 7^ththis year.

Catriona Williams said it was a particularly appropriate donation.

“While Chris and I are pounding the pavements in New York, we’ll be thinking of everyone back home, Wellfield along all our CatWalk supporters. They’re paving our ‘road to success.”

Chris, Catriona and the other CatWalk marathoners each pay their own expenses to New York but anything raised over and above that, including the service, goes directly to CatWalk and the goal of getting people out of wheelchairs and back on their feet.

Beautifully bred and exceptionally well performed, Road To Rock (Encosta de Lago – Trewornan) is the newest addition to the Wellfield ranks. A 16.2hh dual Group One and dual Listed Race winner, he is the highest-rated, best-performed son of Encosta de Lago to go to stud to date and normally stands at $12,500 + gst.

THE FACTS:

 He beat Black Piranha in the George Main Stakes (Gr.1 – 1600m) last spring and was considered unlucky not to have beaten Rangirangdoo in the Doncaster Handicap (Gr.1 – 1600m).

 He will be one of only two horses standing in New Zealand to have won two Group One races in Australia .

 He’s the highest-rated entire in Australasia retiring to stud this year

 He’s won over $1 million Australian in prizemoney.

 He’s by Coolmore Stud’s twice Champion Australia Sire Encosta de Lago (69 SW),

Broodmare owners can support the cause by submitting a confidential bid to info@catwalk.org.nz . Include your mare’s details and your contact details before 31^st August. There is a Live Foal Guarantee and normal vet and agistment fees apply. Full terms and conditions are available upon request.

www.catwalk.org.nz

www.wellfield.co.nz

With winners in both Australia and Singapore, and multiple winners here in New Zealand, Handsome Ransom has added to his already significant appeal to Asian market places leaving his first winners in both Macau and Korea.

Sleeping Princess (a gelding despite the name), has been his first runner and winner in Macau, and Eastern Dancer has replicated the feat in Korea.

With a multitude of Handsome Ransom"s progeny now domiciled accross Asia, purchased primarily from the Trials and the Ready to Run Sales, we are certainly expecting more to come in the next few months.

Add to that Hong Kong, where Handsome Zulu in just one of at least half a dozen expected to hit the tracks up there in the new season, with at leat three more known to be heading that way in the near future.

Oliver ready to rock on firmer Doomben track
Brad Waters
Wednesday, 19 May 2010

Champion jockey Damien Oliver says a firmer surface will be the key to Road To Rock turning the tables on Metal Bender in Saturday’s Group I Doomben Cup (2020m).

Stathi Katsidis rode Road To Rock into second behind Metal Bender in the Group II Hollindale Cup (1800m) on a slow Gold Coast track on May 8 but Oliver will re-unite with the son of Encosta De Lago for Saturday’s $500,000 event.

Oliver missed the ride on the stallion because of a suspension incurred due to the jockey weighing in light after steering Road To Rock into second in the Group I Doncaster Mile in April.

The champion rider arrived back in Melbourne on Wednesday morning after riding Eagle Falls in Sunday’s KrisFlyer International Sprint in Singapore but was keen on Road To Rock’s chances in Saturday’s event, which will be the Anthony Cummings-trained galloper"s final start before beginning a stud career.

“He won a Group I race two starts back so he has the score on the board,” Oliver said. “Metal Bender was able to get the better of him on a track which really didn’t suit him.

“The Gold Coast had plenty of rain that week and the track turned out to be a surface which didn’t really lend itself to horses making ground so his run was excellent.

“The weather has been good in Brisbane this week so it should be a firmer and fairer track for them to meet on this time.”

Oliver pointed to Road To Rock’s fitness advantage over Metal Bender as a key to the race; the champion hoop said the Chris Waller-trained four-year-old has to improve on his Hollindale Cup win.

“Road To Rock is probably having his seventh start this time in and has already been to 2000 metres when he won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes,” he said.

“Metal Bender is coming off a long break and probably hasn’t had the hard racing Road To Rock has so my horse should be suited.”

Road To Rock has drawn barrier 10 in the Doomben Cup while Metal Bender will start the race from gate seven.

Road to Rock will travel to his new home at Wellfield Lodge next week to commence his new career.

Road To Rock for Wellfield Lodge

Dual Gr.1 winner to bow out in Doomben Cup, by Adrian Clark

The dual Group One and dual Listed Race winner Road To Rock (Encosta de Lago ex Trewornan, by Midyan) has been secured for stud duties by the Palmerston North-based Wellfield Lodge and will join Alamosa and Handsome Ransom in time for the commencement of the 2010 breeding season.

In fact, Road To Rock – who is prepared by Anthony Cummings – will have his racetrack swansong this weekend in the A$500,000 Doomben Cup-Gr.1 (2020m).

“We believe he is the highest-rated and best-peformed son of Encosta de Lago to go to stud to date,” Bill Gleeson of Wellfield Lodge told NZTM today.

“He beat Black Piranha in the George Main Stakes (Gr.1 – 1600m) last spring and was considered unlucky not to have beaten Rangirangdoo in the Doncaster Handicap (Gr.1 – 1600m) last month when his rider weighed in a kilo-and-a-half light.

“I believe you’ve got to have horses who can win these major mile races in Australia to attract the Aussy buyers back to buy their progeny,” added Gleeson who also stands the 4 time Gr.1-winning O’Reilly horse, Alamosa at Wellfield Lodge.

Wellfield Lodge’s Marketing Manager Huw Taylor points to some unique factors relating to Road To Rock.

“He will be one of only two horses standing in this country to have won two Group One races in Australia – and that could be extended on Saturday,” said Taylor.

“He’s the highest-rated entire in Australasia announced as retiring to stud this year,” he added.

Road To Rock goes into Saturday’s Doomben Cup-Gr.1 off the back of a last start second to Metal Bender in the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m), having won the Gr.1 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) before that.

As a 3YO Road To Rock won the AJC Carbine Club Handicap-LR (1600m), while he is also a black type winner in Melbourne, having taken out the MRC Victoria Gold Cup-LR (2000m).

To date Road To Rock has had 35 starts for 6 wins, 9 seconds & 1 third for prize money of A$1,204,750.

By Coolmore Stud’s twice Champion Australia Sire Encosta de Lago (69 SW), Road To Rock is one of three winners from the juvenile-winning Midyan (Miswaki) mare Trewornan. She has also left the stakes-placed True Doubt (by Redoute’s Choice).

The second dam, Miss Silca Key (by Welsh Saint) was a Group Three winner at Royal Ascot and has left four black type performers including Central City, a Group Three winner in France.

Standing 16.2 hands high, Road To Rock has been syndicated into 50 shares with Wellfield Lodge holding the majority interest in the horse.

“We’ve had fantastic immediate interest in shares in the horse,” said Gleeson, adding that interested breeders can contact Huw Taylor for more information.

Road To Rock will stand at an initial fee of $12,500 + gst with a live foal guarantee.

We have been one of the last farms to release the detail of our 2010 service fees. The farm goes to the marketplace with their Stallions positioned is a manner that is most certainly likely to please breeders with mares at all levels of the ‘commercial’ spectrum.

Foundation sire Handsome Ransom will stand again for the fee of $4000 + GST. Handsome Ransom is vying for the position of leading second crop sire, and is well lodged amongst the top echelon of sires of three year olds. “He’s left winners now in Asia, Australia and here in New Zealand, the Group One placed Handsome Zulu, and a number of stakes performed horses including the very smart filly Street Party” commented Huw Taylor. “He continues to be producing stock with real appeal to the Asian marketplaces from the trials tracks, and this is an area that breeders are seeing a real return from a fee at that level”

“We are committed to standing our horses at levels that genuinely offer all of clients the opportunity to see a real return on their service fee investment. With that in mind, breeders who support Handsome Ransom this season will be offered a refund of $2000 should the resultant foal be a filly. That is a massive incentive given that he has had a filly win in Singapore, and several fillies win here in New Zealand.”

“It’s an incentive that is made with the understanding and recognition of the marketplace that breeders are currently facing, and should be very well received. To further assist our present and future clients, we have also negotiated some excellent prices for transport with Majestic to reduce the associated costs that breeders face.”

Flagship sire, the four time Group One winning Australasian sire Alamosa will stand this season at the remarkable fee of $15,000 plus GST.

“Last season Alamosa served a restricted book of one hundred mares. The quality of mare that he was supported with both by the syndicate members and from outside bookings was quite exceptional. He handled those wonderfully well, and moves towards this season a vibrant, athletic, superb specimen of a horse, bristling with health and energy.”

“We have positioned him at a level that again we believe will allow all breeders who support him the opportunity of a real and significant return, and we believe that he will hold real appeal to breeders wishing to access the O’Reilly sire line, and champion racehorse who won at Group One level both here and in Australia. Breeders need to remember that this horse was the highest rated three year old that has graced New Zealand racetracks since Bonecrusher. His progeny will be seen across all of the major sales in Australasia. We believe he offers the best value of any horse standing in New Zealand this coming season.”

“Again, we are seeking to assist and support breeders as best we can, and the service fee this year will includes the option of a transport and agistment package that has a value of $1500. For those who utilize this, they will be looking at a fee of $13,500, incredible value for a horse whose progeny will genuinely be sought after by owners, trainers and agents from all of our international marketplaces”.

Both horses fees include a live foal guarantee, and conditions apply to the incentives offered. Contact Huw Taylor at Wellfield on 0274 554999

Handsome Zulu has drawn the widish alley of barrier 11 for this Saturday"s Group One AJC Australian Derby, worth 1.3 million dollars. He will no doubt look for a forward position if that opportunity presents, in a race that should not lack for genuine pace.

In a field of 15, seven horses carry the NZ suffix, and the field certainly contains the creme of Australasias best colts, plus one lone filly, namely Keep the Peace, the winner of the Group One Wellfield New zealand Oaks at Trentham on March 20th.

Racing for the first time for his new Hong Kong based owners, Handsome Zulu will be ridden by HW Lai, who has flown in from Hong Kong to ride. This will almost certainly be the horses last run in this part of the world, before heading up to Asia, his target being the prestigious Hong Kong Derby at the end of the year.

Just two Hansome Ransom’s grace New Zealand’s racetracks this weekend, with both chasing black type in the feature meeting at Awapuni on Saturday.

Talented three year old ‘Bone of Contention’ takes his chance in the Group Three Manawatu Classic over 2000 metres. Trainers Tony Pike and Mark Donaghue are starting the horse in his third consecutive black type event, having jumped him to that level straight away after he broke maidens very impressively at Pukekohe in late January.

He’s a horse that gets back and settles, and sprints home like a tiger. However, this running style has some risks attached in full fields, and on both of his last two starts in the Waikato Guineas and Championship Stakes, his seventh and sixth placings respectively were highly influenced by the quantity of traffic he had to try to negotiate.

He has been freshened since that Ellerslie run, and we would expect to see him charging at them again as they straighten and sprint for home.

The other Handsome Ransom running at the meeting is ‘Warspirit’, a two year old colt who will contest the Group One Sires Produce Stakes for trainer John Sargent, ridden by Mark du Plessis.

Sargent has already demonstrated his judgement of the quality of the stock of Handsome Ransom, having started the subsequently Derby placed Handsome Zulu in the Group One Levin Classic whilst still a maiden. The same level of task awaits Warspirit, who lines up in the big time on just his second raceday start, having run a very close second to the classy Kallisan at his first attempt. In the words of his trainer, who also owns the horse “He’s worked up very well this week. I think he’s pretty smart – otherwise he wouldn’t be running!”

Wellfield Stud principals Peter Didham and Bill Gleeson have confirmed that the Group One Telecom Derby placegetter Handsome Zulu has been sold to Hong Kong Interests.

“On one hand it is disappointing to see a real flagship horse for Handsome Ransom go off shore” commented Wellfield’s Hugh Taylor. “However, he will of course be racing in what is a key market place for New Zealand Breeders, and we look forwards to following his progress up there. Handsome Ransom already has progeny performing well in Singapore, Macau and Korea, and untried horses in Hong Kong, so the Asian centres are of key importance.”

The horse will depart soon to run in the AJC Derby for his new connections, his final run in Australasia, before heading up to his new home.

Wellfield Oaks day proved a tremendous day’s racing for a good sized crowd including a room full of Wellfield clients and friends, and three hundred ladies in the ‘Wellfield Party Tent.’

The day’s highlight was of course the Group One Wellfield Oaks won by ‘Keep the Peace’, giving Shane Ritchie an incredible training double, both the Derby and the Oaks in the same season.

This is the first year of a significant sponsorship agreement between Wellfield and the Wellington Racing Club, which will see the Wellfield Brand and the premier race for the countries three year old fillies linked for some time.

The ultimate staying test for the crème of our three year olds, the 2.2 million dollar New Zealand Derby, saw Handsome Zulu confirm his position as one of the highest quality colts in the country, finishing third, beaten a nose for second, and just a length from the impressive winner Corporal Jones.

That placing confirmed Handsome Ransom’s position at second in the second season sires premiership, a great result given the numbers currently racing.

It further demonstrates the ability of the Red Ransom sire line to produce classic type three year olds, and the stock of Handsome Ransom are as a type showing ability at two, then training on in to lovely three year olds who can cover ground in some style.

With his best books both in terms of both numbers and quality still to race, we look forwards to seeing good numbers of Handsome Ransom’s progeny in the Guineas, Oaks and Derbys in years to come.

Handsome Ransom’s son Handsome Zulu has drawn barrier three in Saturday’s $2.2 million Group One Telecom Derby, and will be ridden by Mark du Plessis.

The Wellfield and Peter Gillespie owned gelding was flagged last year by trainer John Sargent as being real Derby material, and has delighted connections with his progress towards the jewel in the crown for the three year olds, entering the race as a real chance.

His ability became obvious when he contested the Levin Classic whilst still a maiden. He stumbled badly as the field left the barriers, and was checked again badly at the 200 meter mark, but was running home stronger than anything for a sixth placing four lengths behind the winner, Eileen Dubh.

After breaking maiden ranks at Matamata on December 23^rd, over 1600 metres again, he faced Black Type racing again, this time going down on the bob of a head to Joey Massino in the Group Three Wellington Stakes.

His last start was a sound fourth despite being completely blocked in the straight at Te Rapa, and the horse for whom the mile and a half holds no fears moves forwards in excellent condition. This condition was franked by his track gallop at Ellerslie on Monday, his first look at the course, where he galloped a smart 1200m in 1.11.27, his last 600m in 35.53.

The Cruncher put paid to a full field at Te Rapa on the 13th February over 1400 metres, his second win, the first Handsome Ransom to acheive this. He has now faced the starter on 16 occasions as a two and three year old, for Te Awamutu trainers Robert Priscott and Clayton Chipperfield.

"He"s a tough bugger, and there wouldn"t be many other horses around to have raced so regularly. He"s a testament to both the attitude and soundness that Handsome Ransom is able to put into his progeny" commented Wellfield"s Hugh Taylor.

As the pressure comes off the Wellfield Staff at the conclusion of the 2010 Karaka Sales series, a sense of real satisfaction has swept the farm after results that have exceeded all expectations at both the Premier and Select Sales.

"The values acheived are superb, and are a real reflection of the hard work put into the breeding, rearing and educating our young stock, and the work that goes on behind the scenes as relationships are built with key players in our industry" commented Hugh Taylor.

"It"s not just the money that they"ve gone for, it"s where they"ve gone,and we know that they will get every chance to succeed in the hands of some of Austalasia"s best conditioners. We sold two to Graham Rogerson, two to John Sargent, one to Mark Kavanagh, Peter Moody, Danny O"Brien, David Ellis, Stephen Gray, Mike Breslin, and to clients of Peter Williams. A simply wonderful result!"

Stand outs were the the 3/4 brother to Efficient (Lot 341), sold to Rogerson Bloodstock for $420,000, a Zabeel/Jervaux filly (Lot 464) sold to a client of Mike Breslin for $410,000, and a stunning Fastnet Rock filly (Lot 260), sold to clients of Peter and Dawn Williams at Riccarton for $290,000.

Photographs of the Wellfield draft of yearlings for the Karaka Sales series commencing February 1^st are now online, both on the New Zealand Bloodstock Website www.nzb.co.nz , and Wellfield’s own Website www.wellfield.co.nz .

“We’ve got a fantastic line of horses this year, and they’ve come up really well. We look forward to the sales with some confidence” commented Wellfield’s Hugh Taylor. “Trish Dunell has photographed all of the yearlings this year, and they look great.”

“We have been busy with parades, and the hours the Wellfield staff have put in are really paying off. The yearlings are well grown, perfectly conditioned, and exceptionally educated, parading like a team of professionals.”

“It’s a really nicely balanced line, with some obvious early types, classic staying types, first rate sires from both sides of the Tasman, both proven and freshmen, strong colts and some lovely fillies with excellent residual value. There really is something for everybody!”

Wellfield owned Handsome Zulu got his first day in the sun today, breaking maiden ranks at his sixth start at Matamata today over 1600 metres, winning by two lengths with a further five lengths back to third.

Zulu has created some real discussion with John Sargant labeling him a real Guineas and Derby prospect whilst still an unraced two year old. The run today has franked that opinion, and whilst he has taken a bit more time than some of the spring three year olds, hence not being seen as a guineas horse, his form to date is suggesting that the Derby distance will hold no fears, and John firmly believes he has the class required.

His last start, as a maiden horse, raised a few eyebrows as he all but fell leaving the barriers at the Group One Levin Classic, settled at the rear of the field, and stormed home for sixth on a day when the winners needed to be on the speed.

The Handsome Ransom filly Street Party has her chance at Group One glory on Boxing Day at Ellerslie in the Group Two Eight Carat Classic. In a star studded field, she has the assistance of having drawn barrier one with James MacDonald aboard. We wish connections the very best of luck!

Talented Handsome Ransom gelding ‘The Cruncher’ was finally able to demonstrate his real talent yesterday, breaking maidens in some style at Counties.

He had featured as the victim in the stipes reports at each of his last four starts, buy yesterday was settled one back, one out, kicking clear at the 200 metre mark, and never looking like being caught.

The Cruncher had six starts as a two year old for trainer Robert Priscott, including the Group Three Eclipse stakes as his first race day start, and the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes.

It’s great to see the confidence his connections had in him rewarded at last!

The favourite for the race was another Handsome Ransom, Bone of Contention, who was forced to travel back and wide, but ran on superbly for fourth and is a definite black booker.

This weekend sees the reappearance of Handsome Ransom’s first winner ‘No Ransom’ at Ipswich on Friday, and the smart ‘Hold me Ransom’ at Riccarton, as well his first starter in Macau, ‘Sleeping Princess’. On Saturday first start winner ‘Coastal Mist’ steps into some serious company at Awapuni. We wish all connections well.

Three Handsome Ransom Colts made appearances at the Wanganui Trials yesterday, and impressed considerably. In heat two, Alan Sharrock presented an as yet unnamed two year oldchestnut colt out of Creve Coeur for his first ever trial, winning solidly by a half length without being asked to do too much.

Another first time triallist was "Poker Joker", a striking bay three year old out of Illuminate, from Fraser Aurets barn. Whilst obviously still green, the colts talent was obvious, as he won his 1000m heat by a length in a slick 58.88 seconds.

The third Handsome Ransom on the day was another two year old, a bay colt out of Silver Star. Gary Vile has a lot of time for this horse, and he was given a very quiet trial, jogging around for fourth. He was last seen a fortnight ago at Waverley, for his first trial appearance, finishing second under a firm hold. Gary feels he may be feeling his shins a bit, so we look forwrds to nhis reappearance after Christmas following a brief spell.

Watch this space on these three!

Another success for Handsome Ransom today at New Plymouth, as the previously unseen filly Coastal Miss won nicely over 1200m in a Maiden Fillies and Mares affair.

Trained at Wanganui by Paul Belsham, ‘Coastal Miss’ is the first foal of the Blues Traveller Mare ‘Blue Pacific’. “So many breeders dread the first foal, and theoretically a filly first up is the worst case scenario! The scope and natural muscle that Handsome Ransom put’s into his foals makes him the ideal sort of horse for maiden mares” commented Wellfield’s Hugh Taylor.

Three Handsome Ransoms went through the ring at the Ready to Run sale at Karaka yesterday, averaging around $34,000, with a top price of $82,500. All three leave the country, two to Korea and the top lot to Dale Short Racing in Victoria.

The Australian bound colt presented beautifully in the ring as a strong well muscled type, with a lot of his father about him. His breeze up was impressive, and his page highlighted by the deeds of his half brother Ginga Dude.

“ A small representation of two year olds, but a clear demonstration of a type that show plenty of early ability, and a temperament that can handle early education and it’s associated pressures” commented Wellfield’s Hugh Taylor. “His representation is Asia is becoming significant, and it’s great to see our overseas market places keen to purchase his stock, as this allows breeders to realize a real return from a very modest service fee.”

Wellfield Lodge Sire Handsome Ransom has achieved a rare feat with success in three countries from just a handful of starters, winners coming in New Zealand, Australia and now Singapore.

The classy filly ‘Smitten Kitten’ (Handsome Ransom/Catania), put paid to a full and talented field in a support race at the Singapore Cup meeting at Kranji last night.

Handsome Ransom has two crops of racing age, although only his first crop have been seen to date, with the colt ‘No Ransom’ winning at Ipswich, and the filly ‘Street Party’ breaking maidens in impressive fashion at Matamata two weeks ago, as spring three year olds.

“We are really happy with where they are” commented Wellfield’s Hugh Taylor. “His stock showed up so well at the trials last year that many are now overseas, and he is certainly leaving the sort of horse in terms of talent, type and temperament that the Asian marketplace loves. This has meant fewer horses to race here in New Zealand, but it is also great to see breeders being so well rewarded with the good money that is available for the right sort of trials performer.”

“In terms of the sort of horse he leaves, he really stamps himself physically, and is leaving horses that show aptitude as two year olds, and are training on into lovely three year old types – everything you would hope from with a horse who was obviously a very smart two year old himself, and being by a Mill Reef mare, looked like becoming an exceptional three year old before injury cut him short.”

“He will have served over three hundred mares by the end of this breeding season – his third with us at Wellfield. He’s not going to lack for numbers or opportunities, and there are exciting times ahead!”

The second Handsome Ransom to appear on the Singapore scene, Fat Kid, acquitted himself admirably at Kranji on Friday night, running on in a capacity field in his maiden start to just go down by a length.

The stable is expecting to see him improve substantially from the race and has high expectations for him.

Handsome Ransom has three named horses in Singapore, Fat Kid, the Group Three performed Smitten Kitten who also placed in her first start, and the as yet unraced Bold Reward.

Having already opened his account in Australia, Handsome Ransom today produced his first domestic winner, with the smart three year old filly ‘Street Party’ winning very impressively at Matamata.

From a wide draw, the filly settled at the rear of the field, and had to run around and past the lot of them to fly home for a won length win. The fact that she ran around a bit greenly in the straight would also suggest that as she learns and improves, she has the talent to develop into a serious race horse.

Trained by Paul Jenkins at Matamata, and owned by the Duchess of Bedford and G.D Thomson, the intention is to target some of the black type fillies races through the summer with her. Watch this space!

Wellfield has foaled down a big strong filly, out of the mare Cold Shoulder, by the great Zabeel. This makes the filly a three quarter sister to the horse of the moment in Victoria, VRC Derby and Melbourne Cup winner Efficient.

‘Cold Shoulder is a mare we own in partnership with Cambridge Hunt Ltd, a daughter of the great mare Refused the Dance, making her not only a half sister to Efficient, but also to Guillotine’ commented Wellfield’s Hugh Taylor. ‘The foal is a cracker, strong and healthy. There’s no grey about her at the moment, but time will tell!’

‘We’ve got a lovely colt of the same breeding in our yearling draft. He’s a neat, tidy colt, the athletic type of Zabeel, very correct without being huge – he’ll generate some real interest. The way that Efficient is travelling this spring will only enhance that interest, both in the colt and his new sister.’

A breathtaking dead heat win at Ipswich today not only gave an early indication of a horse with a big future, but also gave his sire Handsome Ransom his first winner from just 9 starters to the races in four different countries. The horse in question was ‘No Ransom’, a three year old out of ‘Qui Richfield’, purchased at the 2008 NZB Festival Sale for $45,000, who absolutely flew home having taken time to balance up on the tight turning Queensland track.

“Whilst it would have been great to see his first winner come on a domestic track, it has been equally exciting watching his progeny in Australia and Singapore” commented Wellfield’s Hugh Taylor. “His progeny continue to perform so well at the trials, and as is often the case, the horses who leave trials performers in the numbers that Handsome Ransom has, are sometimes penalized to a degree, because the best of them are sold off shore and not raced here. This horse is one that has provided his breeders with a good return at the sales, and the trials performed horses are providing an excellent sales platform also with the strong types he is leaving.”

“We’re very bullish about Handsome Ransom, because almost without exception the trainers that have them love them, and they are our key market place. With horses like this one, Handsome Zulu and The Cruncher here in New Zealand and the good three year old filly Smitten Kitten in Singapore around, it was never ‘if’ but ‘when’ the first winner came. He’s at a stage where he has to continue to do it for himself now, but with his 2007 and 2008 books numbering 137 and 150, he won’t lack for numbers or opportunity.”

The new season is upon us and all of the staff at Wellfield are increasingly excited by the potential shown by the first crop of Handsome Ransom who have just turned three, as well as the expectations for his second crop two year olds.

"The success of Handsome Ransom"s first crop at the trials have seen several of his best go offshore already, which is fantastic for our breeders as another market and selling opportunity opens up to them. It is not impossible that his first winner could come from Singapore or be in Australia. The horse in Australia (Handsome Playboy), has his owners and trainer so impressed that not only is he now nominated for the Caulfield Guineas, but they"ve recently purchased his full brother as a two year old" commented Hugh Taylor.

"We are very bullish, the prime reason being that almost without exception, the trainers who have got them love them, and they will always be the key market. We have always said that we beleived he would leave horses that showed speed and potential as two year olds, but that they would be a type and have the temperament to train on into real three year olds, and to date, from limited opportunities, that is what they have done. Bearing in mind his last two books with us have numbered 137 and 150,and that the quality has been great, the knowledge that over the next two or three the numbers start working for him too is very exciting."

Alamosa will be travelling north to participate in the NZTBA Waikato Branch Stallion parade on the weekend 29th and 30th August.

"We"ll be staying and parading at Cambridge Stud on the 30th, and we are very grateful to Sir Patrick Hogan for hosting us" commented Hugh Taylor. "Whilst many have come down to us at the farm to inspect Alamosa, it is a fantastic opportunity to parade him to a large number of breeders who have him fresh in their minds as a racehorse, and can now consider as a sire. His book is all but full, so the timing for all parties is ideal!"

Handsome Ransom two year old Handsome Zulu has seriously impressed Matamata trainer John Sargent, after two preperations and two solid trials placings for the multiple Group One winning trainer.

"Handsome Zulu is one of my main contenders for the 2010 Guineas races and the Derby" commented Sargent, who further described the colt as showing "an enormous amount of potential".

Wellfield puchased Handsome Zulu at the 2007 NZB National Weanling Sale for $38,000, prior to his sire relocating to the farm to stand at stud later that year.

"Handsome Zulu is a lovely individual, and John"s comments are very typical of what we are hearing from many trainers" said Wellfield"s Hugh Taylor. "The Red Ransom sire line is very much a line that has the ability to produce physically sound and mature progeny that show up as two year olds, but most importantly with the ability to train on into classic type horses. We are highly confident and excited about what next season will bring for the Handsome Ransom three year olds!"

This Saturday,s Group One Queensland Derby could be a hugely exciting day for Wellfield, with two runners of key interest. The David Hayes trained Berlioz (Zabeel/Jervaux) and Old Jock (Montjeu/Ma Danseuse) go into the race as two real chances.

Berlioz" recent form is first class, franking a second placing in the West Australian Derby with a powerful win in the Victorian St Leger. Jervaux has a full sister to Berlioz as a weanling and is currently in foal to Rock Of Gibraltar. She is earmarked to go to Alamosa in the spring.

Old Jock is a homebred Wellfield product, and races in the increasingly well known Wellfield Colours. He goes into the race with a third placing less than a length from the winner in the Group Two Tulloch Stakes, and a seventh placing in the Group One AJC Derby. Trainer Mick Price has seen significant improvement from the horse in the last week, and looks forward to the race with real optimism. Sadly his dam, Ma Danseuse died, but his half sister Minno Noir (Black Minnaloushe), is in the broodmare paddock and again is an intended companion for Alamosa.

Wellfield Mare You Beauty received a further boost to her already impressive page when daughter Bird Of Fire finished second in the Group Three QTC Dane Ripper Stakes. The black type placing follows on from an impressive victory in the Group Two Queen of the South Stakes in mid april for the exciting four year old.

The New Zealand Oaks placed mare has a stunning Handsome Ransom weanling filly at the stud, plus a full sister in Australia, in the same ownership as Bird of Fire, and very highly regarded.

You Beauty is yet another example of the high class of mare that Handsome Ransom has seen, the quality and size of his book whilst standing at Wellfield being indicative of the level of confidence both the stud and breeders have in the horse.

As opposed to backing up last weeks St Leger winner into this weekends SA Derby, David Hayes has elected to head towards the $500,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby with Berlioz (Zabeel/Jervaux) on June 6th.

Wellfield Lodge have today announced the service fees for their two stallions, freshman sire Alamosa, and resident sire Handsome Ransom.

Alamosa will stand his first season at a fee of $27,500 + GST. Wellfield spokesman Hugh Taylor commented “ The management committee of the Alamosa syndicate are highly conscious of the need to position the horse’s fee carefully in his first season. Undoubtedly, twelve months ago the figure would have been higher than where we sit today. This figure fairly balances the merits of the horse whilst being conscious of the wider economic environment. His book will be limited to 120.”

“Opportunities to utilize a stallion with a race record like Alamosa’s are rare. He won group ones as a two, three, and four year old, at age group, handicap, and weight for age, in both New Zealand and Australia. He demonstrated electric speed as a two year old, and developed into a champion miler. So many of the best stallions over time have been the milers, and certainly in this part of the world, Zabeel and Alamosa’s father O’Reilly being two that immediately spring to mind.”

“The syndicate behind the horse contains the majority of the foremost breeders in New Zealand. They are ensuring that Alamosa will see a first year book of mares of incredible quality, and all breeders can take confidence that the first crop will be keenly anticipated by investors in the best bloodstock on both sides of the Tasman.”

Handsome Ransom will stand at an unchanged service fee of $4,000 + GST. “ His progeny have consistently sold well as weanlings, yearling and ready to run horses, and offer breeders a real return against a service fee at this level. He has seen two fantastic books whilst he has been with us at Wellfield, both in terms of numbers and quality. His first crop two year olds are winning trials all over the place, and from just a few named raceday starters, he has been incredibly unlucky not to have had a winner or two. Without exception, trainers are telling us they are going to furnish up into fantastic looking strong three year old types, typical of the Red Ransom families the world over.”

The services to both horses will carry a live foal guarantee, and bookings will be taken on a first in, first booked basis.

The three year old son of Wellfield mare Jervaux, Berlioz has backed up from his 2nd placing in the WATC Derby, with a powerful victory in the Listed St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Felemington. The son of Zabeel now heads, with some confidence, to the Group One South Australian Derby. Berlioz headed home a trifecta of kiwi bred horses.

Jervaux has a weanling filly by Zabeel at the farm, and is currently in foal to Rock of Gibraltar.

Bird of Fire won the Group 2 Queen of the South Stakes at Morphetville on Saturday, enhancing further the pedigree page of Wellfield mare You Beauty (Go You Beauty - Aus)

The Mare currently has a Handsome Ransom yearling and weanling, and is safely in foal again to the resident Wellfield sire.

The Racing career of Alamosa drew to a close on Saturday with a luckless run from a wide draw in the Group One Doncaster Handicap at Sydney’s Royal Randwick.

The horse is now making his way back to New Zealand, and by the end of the week will be at his new residence at Palmerston North’s Wellfield Lodge, to commence the next stage of his career in the stallion barn.

Alamosa concludes his racing career as a highly impressive four time Group One Winner, two time Group Two winner, and a Group Three and Listed Race winner. He won at Group One Level as a two, three, and four year old, in age group, handicap and weight for age conditions, and in both New Zealand and Australia.

Trained by Peter and Kim McKay at Matamata, he was an electric two year old in 2006, winning the G1 Diamond Stakes (1200m), Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m), and placings in both the G1 Sires Produce (1400m) and Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m).

As a spring three year old he strung together a list of wins and placings in the G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1^st), G2 Wellington Guineas (2^nd), G1 1000 Guineas (2^nd), G2 Avondale Guineas (1^st), and G3 WRC Wellington Stakes (1^st), before heading to the Group One Thorndon Mile. An emphatic victory here made Alamosa the first three year old in twenty years to win the Thorndon, and saw him crowned Champion three year old at the Mercedes Awards for that year.

A month later saw him conclude his New Zealand Career with dominating win, this time at Weight for age, in the Group One Otaki Maori RC Stakes. At 62kgs, Alamosa was rated the top three year old on New Zealand’s Free Handicaps. This rating saw him 1kg superior to AJC Derby winner Nom de Jeu and 1.5kg ahead of New Zealand Derby winner C’est le Guerre.

His fourth birthday found him in Australia, under the tutelage of Mick Price at Caulfield, tasked with the target of attaining black type on that side of the Tasman. Alamosa duly obliged, triumphing in the Group One Toorak Handicap. He further enhanced his record with two placings at the G1 Orr Stakes (2^nd) and G1 Futurity (3^rd), both under weight for age conditions.

Alamosa was purchased by a syndicate of prominent New Zealand breeders led by majority shareholder Wellfield Lodge in 2008. With a race record any studmaster would be proud of, Alamosa’s pedigree is equally significant.

He will be the first son of champion sire O’Reilly to stand at stud, and is the leading performer from the proven O’Reilly/Centaine cross, his mother being Centaine mare Lodore Mystic. Lodore Mystic herself is a sister to Perfect World, a winner at two in New Zealand and a Group Two winner in Australia. She is also a sister to Cent from Heaven, a listed placegetter in Australia who has subsequently produced the New Zealand Group Three winner Eloa.

Wellfield Lodge’s Huw Taylor commented “Alamosa simply ticks all the boxes, and we expect to see him develop into a true asset to the Australasian breeding industry. He has peerless bloodlines that continue to be sought after both domestically and in our key international markets.

As a racehorse he demonstrated precocious speed, courage, an outstanding ability as a miler, and the constitutional soundness to allow him to perform at the highest level as a two, and then train on as a three and four year old.

The syndicate behind him contains many of the key breeders in the country, and he is ensured books of mares of the highest quality as he develops his stallion career. Without doubt, he is every chance to add his name to the list of colonially bred stallions who have shaped our industry in recent years.”

The 2009 service fee for Alamosa, and that of his associate sire Handsome Ransom will be announced in the near future.

Saturday"s Group One Doncaster Mile may well be the final time Alamosa graces the race track prior to returning to New Zealand to launch his stallion career at Wellfield Lodge.

He enter"s the race as a four time Group One Winner, three times in New Zealand as a two and three year old (ARC Diamond Stakes, WRC Thorndon Mile, Otaki Maori RC WFA), and once so far in Australia as a four year old (Toorak Handicap). In addition, he has won two Group Two races, one Group Three and a Listed race, along with multiple black type placings on both sides of the Tasman, including a stunning second to Maldivian in theGroup One CF Orr WFA.

Saturday"s Doncaster is a race and field of the highest quality, and trainer Mick Price is very happy with the horse at this stage. The wide draw (18), and the possibility of a wet track are not assisting us, however the indications are that there will be genuine pace, which Alamosa thrives on. Craig Newitt rides, the same hoop on board in his stunning Toorak win.