Conveniently situated in the heart of the KZN Midlands breeding area lies Bush Hill Stud. Owned and run by Warwick and Karin Render, the stud has been a successful commercial operation for over forty years.
Between them, Warwick and Karin have an excess of fifty years experience in the thoroughbred breeding industry in South Africa.
As the first son of New Approach to stand in South Africa, New Predator has been an excellent addition to the breeding ranks of Bush Hill Stud.
He is out of a winning Fastnet Rock mare, Head Over Heels, a half-sister to Australian 10-time winner (including three Listed races) Presently, as well as Gr3 horse Another Time.
New Predator (New Approach x Head Over Heels) enjoying his life in the stallion barn
His Gr1 form line was exceptional having defeated the Vodacom Durban July winners in Graded Stakes races, The Conglomerate and Legislate. New Predator also dominated Gr1 sprint masters Rafeef, Will Pays, Attenborough, Talktothestars and the likes of multiple Gr1 winners Abashiri, Rabada and Deo Juvente.
With the 2021 breeding season well underway, the Sporting Post caught up with Warwick to discover how the stallion is enjoying his life at stud.
“New Predator looks the picture of health with a lovely coat despite the late cold weather. He always loves his job and is an absolute pleasure to work with,” tells the longtime horseman.
Warwick informs us that the impressive stallion is a naturally active and fit horse, so New Predator requires very little additional preparation for the season other than his routine health checks and tests.
“We always have the chiropractor go through our stallions before the season starts, just to make sure they are comfortable before the work begins,” he adds.
Warwick is proud to confirm that New Predator has enjoyed good support in his first two seasons and that he has seen some quality mares.
“Not just quantity, which is a vital factor in trying to get a young horse off to a good start.”
New Predator has a few standout foals that have touched down at Bush Hill Stud this breeding season.
A few of his top picks are the smart and strong half-sister to Gr1 performer Neptune’s Rain, a quality racy colt out of stakes-winning mare Cold Cash, a big scopy filly out of stakes performer Winter Passion and a strong colt out of the stakes-winning Singspiel mare Polzeath.
A strong foal by New Predator out of Karatage from Spring Valley Stud (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“We are still looking forward to foals out of mares such as Tracy’s Legacy – her first foal is Remember When, who is a Gr2 placed performer this season, Gr1 Garden Province winner, Temple Grafin, and the Gr1 Betting World Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner, Go Indigo, to name a few.
“The quality of mares New Predator has covered in his second season is primarily due to how impressive his first foals were,” he explains.
While the handsome stallion heads into the notoriously tough third season, Warwick is not concerned as he will again get some quality mares from the stud and New Predator’s shareholders.
“Some of the aforementioned mares will return to him again this season based on the strength of the foals they have thrown,” he says.
“With New Predator having covered two good books of mares to date and proven excellent fertility – he has had an exceptional conception rate of well above 90% – we are looking forward to another great season!”
As his first crop will be heading to the National Yearling Sale next year, Warwick expects the stallion to be well-represented but feels it would be premature to pick out any specific individuals at this stage.
“New Predator offers so much of what we as South African breeders look for in terms of pedigree, looks, and performance. Having been a Gr1 quality sprinter miler, we believe he has all the attributes of a stallion with a bright future!” concludes Warwick.
His fee remains unchanged for the 2021 season at R10 000 live foal guarantee.
Contact Bush Hill Stud for more information: [email protected]
Click the image below to read the latest Sporting Post Sprint:
