The birds are chirping in the trees, there’s a grand auwl stretch in the evenings, the foals are hitting the ground, mares are scanning in foal, Cheltenham is just around the corner and the next generation of 2-y-o’s are stepping up their work. We may not have a runner in Cheltenham this year but we’re still on course for some March madness.
Our breeding syndicate mare Zaakara scanned in foal to State Of Rest on one cover.
We launched our new breeding syndicate a few weeks back and we got a big response given she is a half sister to the four time Group 1 winning Zaaki. Maiden mares can be a little tricky on their first covers and it could usually take a couple of covers for them to accept the pregnancy and go in foal but not Zaakara. She scanned in foal at 14 days on Sunday March 3rd to the Group 1 globetrotter State Of Rest who has some exceptional foals on the ground already this year. The resultant progeny is destined to have some serious international appeal in the sales ring in a couple of years time. There are only 3 shares remaining so make sure and get in touch if you’d like to get involved.
Jana Colombe had been entered up to debut in Leopardstown on Monday.
On the racetrack we have a whole spate of young horses under both codes queing up to make their debuts. I spoke a little bit about the unraced Ellen Kelly last week and how she was building up her work ahead of an impending debut. Then we were notified that Jana Colombe, a half sister to four time Grade 1 winner Gerri Colombe, was to be given her first entry in the mares bumper at Leopardstown on Monday. Gordon wants to wait one more week with her before she hits the track for the first time but we expect her to develop like her brother and improve with time and a trip.
Far Above ex. Sopran Verne 2yo takes flight on the Chantilly gallops during the week.
In our whole existence we’ve never had a 2-y-o debut in March but that could be about to change. Trainer Tim Donworth has us under immense pressure to get our Far Above colt named as he doesn’t want to miss the early season opportunities that await in France. France have the first 2-y-o races in Europe and whilst we might not make that we won’t be “Far” off it (excuse the pun!). It was great to see the flashy chestnut float over the Chantilly gallops during the week and he remains a hugely exciting proposition.
Great update on our Far Above colt with Alice Haynes. He’s likely run this month all going well. Listen to Alice’s impressions from the stable before taking your own share. @ahaynesracing | @CompasStallions pic.twitter.com/NIhOqriRqM
— Syndicates.Racing (@SyndicatesHQ) March 2, 2024
Further to that Alice Haynes sent through the above update on the Far Above ex. Cindy Bear colt who is heading to Chelmsford on Wednesday for a barrier trial in anticipation of a March debut which will hopefully plot us on a route to the £40,000 Brocklesby Stakes. He’s a monster of a colt as you’ll see above and even though we expect him to be extremely precocious he has the frame and temperament to progress throughout the season.
>
“Whatever he does now he’s only going to progress as the season goes on but I can’t fault him in what he is doing and we’ll look to run him at the end of March.”
Hall Of Famers
I was honoured to be present at the annual ITBA Awards in the Heritage last Sunday where Dermot and Meta scooped the Hall Of Fame award for their outstanding lifetime contribution to the thoroughbred industry. I personally owe a lot to the pair as do many more human and equine talents.
The list of past winners includes Galileo and Sadlers Wells, the Aga Khan and Sheikh Mohammed, Aidan & Annemarie O’Brien and John Magnier and 19 years ago Meta’s father Michael claimed the award. If you haven’t seen it already make sure and take the time to watch the below video which encapsulates just how pivotal the pair of been for the industry over the past two decades and beyond.
Very proud of my parents, Dermot and Meta, to be placed in the Irish breeders Hall of Fame 🥹
Beautifully bred 32 year old colt about to be syndicated… pic.twitter.com/iPrNxO4sMR
— Syndicates.Racing (@SyndicatesHQ) February 29, 2024
First mares scanned in foal for Boutte
Rathbarry new boy Bouttemont has got his second career off to the perfect start with his fist mares scanned in foal. He already has over 25 mares covered with support from the likes of Whisperview, Golden Farm, Tinnakill, Rathbarry and a whole host of prominent Irish breeders who have jumped at the opportunity to get involved in one of the most successful sire lines of the modern era.
💬 "He's proving to be very popular and we're particularly excited by the volume of stakes-performing and stakes-producing mares he is attracting."
Bouttemont's first mares confirmed in foal 👉 https://t.co/ywfvBXSVop pic.twitter.com/0IegJb6dIB
— Racing Post Bloodstock (@rpbloodstock) February 27, 2024
Grangee 2.0
I can’t ever remember picking up the phone as quick to Jack in my tenure as racing manager than that at last years Tattersalls Ireland Derby sale when I laid eyes on a gorgeous black filly by the one and only Great Pretender. I had to take a second glance when she came out of her box first as I genuinely thought that it was our very own Grangee that I was looking at. I hadn’t even finished looking at her when I picked up my phone and called Jack to just say “we have to buy this filly.”
Great Pretender ex. Belle Brook filly at the 2023 Derby sale.
Great Pretender is a sire we understandably love as he is the sire of our best ever horse, Grangee. They don’t come up for sale very often anymore due to his infertility and we were delighted to secure the only 3yo filly sold at public auction by the French behemoth last year. Furthermore, her dam was a 131 rated black type 2m chaser and has already produced the 142 rated blacktype Mortlach. Since we purchased her her half sister broke her maiden hurdle on just her 3rd start and looks a filly for the future.
Star fillies by Great Pretender all trained by Willie Mullins.
There was always only going to be one man to train this filly and that was the King, Willie Mullins. Willie has handled the careers of all of the sires best fillies namely Benie des Dieux, Grangee and Lossiemouth, the Triumph Hurdle winner who looks to have the World at her feet. We purchased Grangee for €25,000 before she took us on the journey of a lifetime and sold at the end of her career for €120,000. If this filly can take us on half that journey we’re in for one hell of a ride.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading. If there’s anything we can do please reach out john@syndicates.racing.