Bernardini
Stay Thirsty
When Stay Thirsty won Saturday’s G1 Travers Stakes, he became the third G1 winner produced from the first crop sired by champion racehorse Bernardini (himself winner of the Travers back in 2006). An interesting side note to Bernardini’s success at stud is that whilst he himself never won a race at two, two of his three G1 winners won their major races at two.
Bernardini is however the son of two G1 winning juveniles in A P Indy (Hollywood Futurity) and Cara Rafaela (Starlet Stakes).
Bernardini is doing at least as well as his legendary sire, a dual champion in the US, was at the same stage. A P Indy’s first crop produced three G1 winners, in the fillies Tomisues Delight (Ruffian Hcp), Runup The Colors (Alabama Stakes) and Royal Indy (Gazelle Hcp), and with Bernardini’s first crop still just half-way through their 3yo campaigns he could yet edge ahead of A P Indy.
Two of Bernardini’s G1 winners are colts, with his filly A Z Warrior being his other winner at the highest level. Bernardini’s best representative from his second crop (at this early stage) is, however, a filly- G2 winner Gamilati. What is also note worthy is that success enjoyed by the progeny of Bernardini outside of the USA, with Gamilati winning the British G2 Cherry Hinton Stakes, and Biondetti landing last year’s G1 Gran Criterium in Italy.
Bernardini is currently the leading second crop sire in the US, ahead of War Front (Danzig) and Bellamy Road (Concerto).
More success for underrated stallion
When 3yo filly Bible Belt won Sunday’s G3 Dance Design Stakes she became another high-class performer for her underrated sire, Big Bad Bob. The latter is also sire of Dance Design fifth placed runner, Blaze Brightly.
A G3 winner in Germany, Big Bad Bob (by the Roberto sire Bob Back), is represented by just two full crops (2yos not included) of racing age.
His first crop, now four, number just 14 registered foals. However, they include nine winners, and three stakes performers. His stakes performers from his first crop include the G3 winner Berg Bahn.
Big Bad Bob, who won four in a row at 2 before finishing second to Derby winner Kris Kin in the G3 Dee Stakes, also has smart performers in his second crop. From just 21 registered foals, his runners include Moment of Weakness (runner up in the G3 Generous Stakes), the stakes placed Bankers Bonus and now Bible Basher.
Big Bad Bob, who stands at the Irish National Stud for a fee of 6,000 euros, is out of a half-sister to champion filly Snow Fairy (Intikhab). His 10 registered 2yos include the stakes placed gelding Bible Back.
Maybe underlines Galileo’s dominance
Maybe
When Maybe ran out a clear cut winner of Sunday’s G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, she became the ninth individual G1 winner for her sire, Galileo, this season. Now unbeaten in five starts, Maybe is the second consecutive Moyglare winner for her sire, who is the sire of 2010 winner Misty For Me.
Galileo, who is well clear on the UK general sires list, really made his presence felt in Ireland’s sole G1 race for 2yo fillies. Sire of the winner, Galileo is broodmare sire of third placed finisher La Collina (Strategic Prince), and sire of eighth placed runner Soon. La Collina, winner of the Phoenix Stakes, is the first G1 winner produced by a Galileo mare.
His son, Teofilo, was also represented by two runners in the eight horse field.
Remarkably enough, Galileo is not only leading the UK general sires list, but he is also leading the French general sires list. Should he manage to end the season atop of both lists, it will be the first time since 2007 (when Danehill topped both lists) that a stallion is champion sire in both the UK and France.
Galileo’s G1 winners for the season are Frankel, Treasure Beach, Cape Blanco, Roderic O’Connor, Golden Lilac, Maybe, Igugu, Misty For Me and Nathaniel.
Galileo, who has been represented by 28 stakes winners this year, has now joined Montjeu as a son of Sadler’s Wells to sire 100 stakes winners. He reached that milestone when daughter Opera Gal won the Listed Toteexacta August Stakes.
Rock Solid in South Africa
Rock of Gibraltar, a solidly successful stallion overseas who has never quite been up to champion sire level abroad, has an excellent record in this country. The sire of impressive debut winner Kingslayer, Rock of Gibraltar is best known in this country as the sire of top filly Gibraltar Blue and G1 winner and sire Seventh Rock. From runners in this country, “The Rock” has been represented by 27 runners of which 21 (77%) have won at least one race.
His 21 winners include six stakes performers (ie 22% of his local runners are stakes horses), which include Alinga (East Coast Hcp), Perana (Victory Moon S) and Uber Rock (Goldfields Sprint), as well as the promising 3yo Roczinta.
The impressive looking Kingslayer could well add to this tally.
Elusive Fort foals
There has been glowing feedback on the first foals of champion Elusive Fort. He has been represented by four foals to date, and all four are said to be striking individuals. The foals are said be nice, leggy, quality individuals.
Elusive Fort, who covered 50 mares last season, stands at Arc-En-Ciel Stud this season for a stud fee of R10,000. He has let down into a handsome stallion and should cover between 50 and 60 mares this season. Like leading sire Dynasty, Elusive Fort is a champion son of champion sire Fort Wood. During his career, Elusive Fort won over R2 million, and captured three G1 events.
