“I am really excited about him” is how respected bloodstock consultant John Freeman expressed his admiration of Gold Standard, the latest addition to the portfolio of stallions he manages.
The accomplished son of champion Trippi stands alongside his sire at Drakenstein and so impressed Freeman at the stud’s recent stallion show, that he offered to manage the young stallion’s career.
The impressive Gold Standard
No wonder Freeman was captivated by Gold Standard’s physique, he commanded a R750 000 price tag as a yearling. In addition to his good looks, he boasts a splendid female line, being out of Olympic Dam, a daughter of Horse of the Year and crack sire Model Man and the champion racemare Olympic Duel, whilst his third dam is Broodmare of the Year Mashka.
On the racetrack, Gold Standard certainly lived up to his fine pedigree.
Trained by Glen Kotzen, the bay put together a smashing hat-trick over a mile at three, culminating in a career-best victory in the Gr2 Selangor Cup at the expense of subsequent Cape Derby and Daily News 2000 winner Edict Of Nantes. He failed by just a half length to peg back William Longsword in the Gr1 Cape Guineas and was not disgraced when fourth in the Gr1 Met where he had the likes of champions Marinaresco, French Navy and Bela-Bela behind him.
Adding to Freeman’s excitement is the promising start Gold Standard made with his first crop runners, ending the season with five juvenile winners and a host of placed runners waiting to strike.
Golden Hostess – scopey sort (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
That quintet included Drakenstein homebreds Hold My Hand and Golden Hostess. Trained like her sire by Glen Kotzen, the former was beaten a shorthead and two necks in a humdinger finish to the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes won by newly crowned champion Canadian Summer, while Golden Hostess also finished fourth in the Gr2 Debutante.
Golden Hostess is trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, as is Gold Standard’s latest winner, Gold Poker Game, a three-part sister to Gr3 Winter Derby winner and Gr1 Cape Derby third Liquid Mercury.
Freeman remarked: “Gold Poker Game won well on her second visit to the races a week ago and Candice was full of praise of this big scopey filly. Gold Standard now has three exciting Fillies Guineas prospects and imagine what Gr1 success will do to his value.”He added: “Gold Standard’s progeny are nice scopey horses, and their quality is very much in the mould of his famous sire Trippi. He is very fertile, covers well and he is a very happy horse.”From a pedigree point of view, Freeman is of the opinion that Gold Standard suits a variety of mares.
Gold Poker Game wins well (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
“I have been doing test matings for clients and find that he makes a good match for Dynasty mares on paper.”
An imposing, rangy individual, Gold Standard stands 16.1hh, which prompted him to add: “Breeders also shouldn’t be scared to send him a small mare. There are so few stallions that help small mares nowadays, he looks to be a big help in that department. And with his impeccable hind leg he will help fix that Sadlers Wells fault,” enthused the veteran bloodstock man.
Due to his advanced age, 25-year-old Trippi will understandably be available to shareholders only this season, which makes Gold Standard an attractive alternative. As for his service fee, that’s a lip-smacking R7500, payable on live foal.
