Chris Gerber and Bennie van der Merwe of Moutonshoek Stud did months of homework before importing their new resident stallion Marchfield (CAN), who has nine offspring on the CTS August Two-Year-Sale at Durbanville on 6 August.
“We carefully studied Marchfield’s first book of Canadian mares, as well as looked closely at his first foals and yearlings to be confident that his brief North American stud career would enhance his standing with South African breeders,” said Van der Merwe, who cannot contain his excitement about their freshman stallion’s prospects.
Marchfield
“Marchfield is by AP Indy, the emperor of sires in North America, from Pico Teneriffe, by Red Ransom. She was a triple Gr3 winner and 2009 Canadian Broodmare of the Year. Marchfield himself was a top class racehorse, a factor that buyers sometimes overlook with some imports who have the pedigrees without track records to back them up.
“Marchfield was a Classic winner at 3, a graded stakes winner on turf and polytrack and Canada’s Champion Older Horse at 4 and 5, winning races such as the 2008 Gr2 Autumn Stakes and the 2009 G2 Sky Classic Stakes, as well as the Gr3 Dominion Day Handicap.
“He raced until he was seven years old, he’s only 12 now. We bought him early in his career and we’ve just drawn his latest North America statistics. He sired 73% winners from his first crop, with 8% stakes horses from runners which is quite extraordinary. He stands 16 hands, a good solid size, very correct with good bone, but we’ve noticed his offspring are more on the leg. They are mostly taller than their sire and we are pleased. They look smart and racy.”
Van der Merwe said: “Our highest price for a Marchfield so far was R250,000. He arrived under the radar and buyers haven’t been sure what to make of him, but they should come and have a look at our two-year-olds. There are some beautiful specimens among them and we believe the Marchfield youngsters won’t be on the cheaper side for long.”
Van der Merwe mentioned Lots 26 Cool Blue (Marchfield x Olive Route by Saumarez); Lot 41 Champagne Lady (Marchfield x Sparkling Release by Elliodor) and Lot 56 Hopeful (Marchfield x All Hope by Al Mufti), as exciting specimens.
“Hopeful is from a three-parts sister to Mike de Kock’s Gr1 winner Gilded Minaret, we think a lot of her.”
The Catalogue is online at www.capethoroughbredsales.com
