12 Months of Doom & Gloom or 12 Months of Opportunity

Much has been written about the global meltdown in the financial world often the words have been contradictory. However there is no doubt it will change the landscape significantly.

Just cast your mind back and remember that the 1930’s depression saw racing and betting prosper as Australians turned to the wonderful world of the thoroughbred to forget for even a few moments the stresses of the depression and the problems associated with a significant unemployment rate.

Even now there is much to be said for a day at the races to escape the drudgery of everyday living when things are tough. The choice of celebrating the victory of a gallant thoroughbred who defies all odds with a brave and expeditious jockey is certainly more fulfilling than the musical tunes of a poker machine. Even when leaving the track losing there is a greater sense of camaraderie with your fellow punters than the isolated feeling of you and a machine finally at odds with each other in a cool air-conditioned cavern away from the sun, so you don’t know the time of day.

So look forward with anticipation to the foals that are on their way and encourage anyone you know to be involved in this wonderful sport.

So how do we the breeders survive a possible economic downturn?

Firstly, we need to structure a tough, but workable budget. To make the enterprise work we need to control the costs. Fixed price arrangements will be more appealing as they take the guess work out of a rather awkward budgeting process.

Secondly, we need the right product to start with. Our aim is to surround ourselves with the best mares we can put together collectively on our budget. We may need to cull heavily to maintain that standard, but strict attention to this will encourage us to get up every morning and feed them.

Thirdly, we need to be extremely careful with our broodmare mating plans, in particular to ensure we do not over mate the mares. We should be choosing stallions whose fees are fair, reasonable and we believe will be protected by the stud in the marketplace.

Studs that embark on severe discounting of fees will simply prove that they got it wrong initially. In my opinion this will show a scant regard for the breeders who supported those stallions in the previous seasons. No-one should endure a capital loss so savagely brought upon them by the people they have supported. Any shuttle stallions must now by definition be regarded suspiciously, because if they do not return then all supporting breeders are again left exposed.

Finally, we need to develop our contacts for selling and racing horses. The sales ring will become a very tough selling arena. If anyone enters the ring on a fire sale mission it will impact on everyone selling around them.

The year to date from Swettenham Stud’s Sales and Marketing Managers Perspective.

This year many people I spoke with have chosen to retire or pension off mares that were too old, not commercial, poor breeders, too unsuccessful or had too many failures with progeny or type. This was a good move especially at this point in time, when we reflect on those decisions.

One thing about a pedigree, it is all in black and white for everyone to judge. In tough times no-one cares how good the breeder thinks the mare is. So if you keep a mare in this climate that you felt was better than it says on paper, then be prepared to race her progeny.

Swettenham Stud realizing things will be tougher and are looking at ways to assist our clients in the next two years with their breeding enterprises. Make no mistake the people who have supported us will be foremost in our minds. We will also be very keen to continue the support of our stallions. So look forward to some innovative measures to be unveiled next year.

The year seems to be finishing off in a quieter fashion than the past two seasons. In my opinion there may be substantially reduced numbers this year more so than in the EI affected season of 2007. The effect of a coming drought (don’t underestimate the lack of rain in September and October on breeder’s planning); the hangover of EI (remember many Victorians got no assistance and yet had mares stuck interstate for long periods) and the financial crisis may all be having an effect. At the end of the day though Swettenham Stud just want nice horses and the roster has continued to improve in this area, so the team is very focused, buoyant and certainly looking forward to grasping the opportunities that come our way.

IR

NEW STALLION - Kaphero to stand at Swettenham in 2009

Kaphero has been a welcome addition to the stallion roster for Swettenham Stud in 2009.

The appealing features for our acquisition were:

» Outstanding Type Sold by Swettenham Stud $340,000 at Gold Coast Sale.
» By a Group 1 winner from a Group 1 winner.
» Closely related to Champion New Zealand Sire 2007-08 O’Reilly.
» Fast 2YO winner Magic Millions 1200m in 1.10.13 and a Blue Diamond Preview 1000m winner in 55.82.
» Won 1000m to 1200m.
» Group 1 placed at 1200m MVRC Manikato S.
» Prolific Group 3 winning son of Danzero & grandson of Danehill.
» Highest Earning Entire by Danzero.

Kaphero is having a well earned rest after being in work for over 300 days. His last run saw him lose a sizeable chunk off his off front foot and the well earned paddock rest will give him every opportunity to recuperate fully. We look forward to working with Leon Cortsen’s on a serious plan to snare a Group 1 race in the New Year.

NEW WEBSITE UNVEILED

The new www.swettenham.com.au website started on Friday 10th October and carried some very interesting video footage on the stallions including trainer interviews regarding the two new stallions Host and Soldier’s Tale. We encourage all breeders to watch these short 3.5 minute videos and refer buyers of your Swettenham bred horses to these videos as they will assist the selling process.

The increase in website hits has been upward of 20% so the effect has been instantaneous. Any person with a Hold That Tiger racehorse in work with a trainer, should insist their trainer watches the video of the stallion, because his successful progeny are racing they way Hold That Tiger did. Saved up for one devastating sprint, they are certainly at their best.

The winners section was launched last weekend and it gives a great summation of the sire’s winning progeny on a daily race by race basis going back to early in the year.

DVD MAILED

All people who have registered on our mail system that is some 4125 people were sent a Swettenham Stud Stallion DVD on Wednesday 22nd October. While a delay of four weeks was disappointing the DVD should still encourage many breeders to review or consider their breeding options in 2008.

The prices quoted are advertised fees and there are generous discounts available on many of the stallions so breeders should ring me Ian Rimington now on 0419 887 184 to check out breeding to a super Swettenham stallion.

Even just as important if you did not receive a DVD is to register for our mail outs. Please drop me a line with your address and mobile on it and I will get one off to you asap. Email me at ian@swettenham.com.au

STALLION RANKINGS and WINNERS GALORE

Hold That Tiger has just sired his 81st individual winner. Ta Ta For Now was number 80 at Ballarat last week. Not a bad return with his oldest only 3YO’s. He has not got to leading second season sire by winners in the US without doing the job on a consistent basis, but it is as 3YO’s that his progeny have really hit their straps. In June he had 17 winners, July he had another 15 winners, August resulted in 10 winners, September 10 again and already 9 winners in October and that is just the North American winners.

In fact in the Northern Hemisphere his first two crops have produced 75 individual winners and his oldest are only 3 years 9.5 months. With nearly 10 weeks to go before his oldest turn 4YO he has a chance to really boost his number of winners.

To give you an idea in our jurisdiction how that rates, last season’s leading second season sire in Australia by winners was Choisir from the same crop of second season sires as Dash For Cash. Choisir produced 47 winners for the season (DFC produced 34).

As of October 27th 2008 Choisir now has in his career 77 winners in the Southern Hemsiphere (DFC 48) and his oldest are now 4 years and 2.5 months. So under any comparison 75 winners when you are 5 months behind on racing time augers well for Hold That Tiger’s future.

Also great to see last week Bianconi in equal 20th place on the individual winners table this season. He had 28 individual winners in this table for this season alone in Australia but another 4 individual winners in the last week should see him rocket even further up the list.

Probably more impressive is the presence of our stallions in the Timeform Ratings by Stallion. Four in the top 80 is a worthy result. Their 2008 Timeform ratings relate to horses who have run so far this season. With career average Timeform ratings for all their progeny of Jeune (81), Bianconi (76), Dash For Cash (76) and Perugino (75) they will continue to improve as the year progesses.

When Encosta de Lago sits on 77 and has a staggering 27 over 100 we know what we are aspiring to, but we also fully understand the differences in the number of mares served and quality of the stallions books. Timeform is a great measure so to rate so highly is a great credit to the Swettenham Stud stallions, especially when three of them are in the top 40 stallions for individual horses with ratings above 100. See http://www.racingandsports.com.au/breeding/sireStatus.asp and sort by Mid Range Timeform or number over 100.

BLACK BOOKERS

Bank Robber
Nearly provided Dash For Cash with his first Group 1 winner in the time honoured Epsom Hcp over the testing 1600m at Randwick. In what would have been a career defining moment for Dash For Cash another of his progeny was forced to settle for a Group 1 second. His first came courtesy of Extension of Time who filled second placing in the 2007 Caulfield 1000 Guineas.

Tonic
Another by Dash For Cash ran into hoof problems early spring, but is one to watch over 1400m and further. Been mentioned before and great sort of filly so worth following.

Flemington
Watch out for the grey’s race at Flemington carnival. Surely there will be a Dasher in it.

Beware The Tiger
By Hold That Tiger he is a big, immature bloke, but has won two out of three against older horses with barnstorming finishes over 2050m at Moe. Looks a likely South Australian Derby horse. Importantly being ridden quietly is a trait of the breed and it the only way to ride him.

Tigresque
Previously mentioned this filly is another 3YO by Hold That Tiger. She went shin sore on her way to the Golden Rose so had to have short break and now under pump to make it to Flemington Carnival. Very strong filly with a good finish.

Jetconi
By Bianconi, this horse won well at Kilmore after a very unlucky second to another Bianconi at the Benalla Cup meeting called Ronald John. Both horses are capable of city victories probably at a Moonee Valley night meeting or similar meeting over the coming months. Jetconi looks to have more scope to go on with it, while Ronald John would need to draw near the rails.

Lunar Lights
By Bianconi is a big filly that ran a cheeky race in the Geelong Classic (old Derby Trial). Fifth placing in front of many of the fancied colts was a pointer that she will appreciate the VRC Oaks back against her own sex. Again with time may be another one best headed for Adelaide next year.

SWETTENHAM EVENT

OPEN GARDEN & WINE TASTING SOIREE
Tuesday 28th October 5.00 to 7.00pm
In the “famous” ROSE GARDEN
(Swettenham Stud – Northwood Road, Nagambie)

John Beresford Mitchelton’s Viticulturist will officially release the 2008 Blackwood Park Riesling
» Meet Ben Haines nominated for young winemaker of the year.
» Look through the magnificent garden.
» Taste the 2008 Blackwood Park Riesling.
» Enjoy a celebrated Bush Poet.
» Cheese & Biscuits.

$20.00 Donation
Proceeds to Nagambie Recreation Reserve/Hospital

For more information please contact Ian Rimington
Mobile » 0419 887 184  Email » [click here]
Web » swettenham.com.au   Swettenham Stud PO Box 210 Nagambie Vic 3608

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