With the modern thoroughbred inundated with the blood of Northern Dancer and Mr Prospector, the Roberto male line has proven a wonderful outcross, and a continuing success on international racetracks.
The Roberto horse Red Ransom has enjoyed a terrific year through his sire sons Intikhab, Red Clubs and Charge Forward. Red Ransom is also the broodmare sire of Oratorio’s G1 winning daughter, Termida.
Intikhab (also broodmare sire of champion SA filly Igugu) is the sire of the marvellous racemare, Snow Fairy. The latter captured her seventh G1 race on Saturday when she won the G1 Irish Champion Stakes.
Snow Fairy is one of the all time great bargains, costing just 1,800 euros! To date, she has earned over 4 million pounds with the promise of more to come.
The ill-fated Red Clubs sired just three crops (two of current racing age) prior to his untimely demise, but his current crop of 2yos include the G2 Queen Mary Stakes winner Ceiling Kitty and Sunday’s G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine, Sky Lantern. Red Club’s first crop included three stakes winners.
The late Dynaformer, who died this year at the age of 27, is another son of Roberto whose progeny enjoyed an excellent year. Not only is he the sire of the multiple G1 winner Point of Entry, but his son, G2 winner Thought Worthy, is a contender for the St Leger. Dynaformer, to date, has sired over 130 stakes winners – 26 of whom have won G1 races.
The exciting new recruit to the South African stallion band, Philanthropist, is a grandson of Roberto – through his sire Kris S.
The latter’s son, Arch, is enjoying a magnificent year in the USA – and is represented by nine stakes winners this year, including the G1 winners Hymn Book (Donn Hcp) and Love Theway Youare (Vanity Hcp). To date, Arch is the sire of G1 winners, including champions Blame and Arravale.
Arch shows signs of becoming a great broodmare sire (like Kris S himself), and is also the damsire of the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, I’’ll Have Another (Flower Alley).
The Roberto male line has been well represented in South Africa by Al Mufti and his sons – and it is interesting that two of Al Mufti’s sons were represented by Equus Award winners last season. Champion 2yo filly All is Secret is by Captain Al, and Princess Victoria by Victory Moon.
It is also worth noting that inbreeding to Roberto has produced a number of top-class G1 winners and performers. Among these are the great filly Snow Fairy, Prix Ganay hero Planteur (Danehill Dancer) and G1 Gold Cup hero Rite of Passage (Giant’s Causeway). This season’s brilliant US turf 3yo Silver Max (Badge of Silver) is another inbred to the 1972 Epsom Derby winner.
The Roberto male line is synomous with producing sound, tough, classy racehorses. Hopefully, Philanthropist can add to that history in South Africa.
– Sarah Whitelaw
