Success lives here

Mornington Cup winner Banca Mo (left) having a swim

The Tasmanian Thoroughbred breeding industry continues to produce results which are above the norm. In an age of big book commercial breeding from mainland counterparts under pressure from the mining industry, Tasmanian thoroughbreds are produced from small breeding books, in one of the cleanest, green, and pristine environments in the world.

Tasmania offers a unique environment to rear and raise horses with basalt soils and improved irrigation infrastructure providing reliable water, combined with specialized grass species. During 2015, Tasmanian-bred and raised horses raised the bar ever higher, with the Grenville Stud-bred Mongolian Khan (Holy Roman Emperor) a standout performer. Bred by Graeme and Christine McCulloch on their Whitemore property, Mongolian Khan was the first horse since the mighty Bonecrusher to capture both the New Zealand and Australian Derbies. As a spring 4YO Mongolian Khan trained on to take out the 2015 Caulfield Cup for the Inner Mongolia Riding Club and NZ Cambridge-based trainer Murray Baker. For McCulloch has been involved with thoroughbreds from his Whitemore property for 35 years, this ranks as his biggest achievement. Grenville Stud will take a draft of 27 yearlings to the 2016 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale, following a successful season with new stallion to Tasmania, Mawingo (Tertullian). The internationally Gr1-performed horse is one of the most exciting stallion prospects to venture across Bass Strait.

Meanwhile, for “the Longford Lion”, The Cleaner (Savoire Vivre), the fairy tale story continued with back-to back Dato Tan Chin Nam stakes (G2) wins, and Group places in the PB Lawrence and Underwood Stakes. Epitomizing what makes the Tasmanian breeding industry special, The Cleaner was bred by Owen and Sandra Atkins who live in the shadow of Great Western Tiers, and sold at the bargain basement price of $10,000 at the 2009 edition of the sale. Owned by three golfing mates, The Cleaner is trained by a retired truck driver who lives in a ‘donner’ and crosses Bass Strait via the Spirit of Tasmania prior to taking on the mainland’s best at the highest level.

Performances by The Cleaner and Mongolian Khan have put the Tasmanian racing and breeding industry back on the map. Their toughness and soundness is a common trait found in horses given a Tasmanian start to life.

Armidale Stud who stood The Cleaner’s sire, Savoire Vivre, has been looking forward to the 2016 Magic Millions Yearling Sale since acquiring Needs Further to the Carrick property. The Gr2-winning son of Encosta De Lago is represented with 22 yearlings at the 2016 sale.

Other Tasmanian horses to perform at the highest level during 2015, include Banca Mo (Tough Speed) who took out the 2015 Mornington Cup, Like a Carousel (Helike) who was placed in the Sydney Cup (3200m) and Palentino (Teofilo) who took out the Hilton Stakes on the last day of the Victorian Racing Club. Bred by Jenny Watson at Macleay Thoroughbreds Stud at Westwood in the lush Meander Valley, Palentino topped the 2014 sale when purchased by Melbourne Cup winning trainer, Darren Weir.

Locally, one stud and sire have dominated the Tasmanian racing and breeding industry in 2015 – Paul and Elizabeth Geard’s Broadmarsh GeeGee Stud and their stallion Wordsmith. The son of Testa Rossa has become a sire sensation for Tasmania. From 37 starters he has produced 22 individual winners at 59.5% winners to runners. GeeGees Classicboy took out the 2015 Tasmanian Derby for the 3YO colts and geldings; GeeGee Golderngirl won the 2015 Tasmanian Oaks and Strutt Stakes for the 3YO fillies and GeeGee TopNotch snared the 2015 Elwick Stakes for juveniles during the 2015 Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival.

The performances of Wordsmith and the GeeGee brand is something quite unique. Starting out with very small books of mares, mostly owned by the Geards, in his first three seasons at stud, Wordsmith has become the most popular sire in Tasmanian with a full book of mares for the 2015 breeding season. Wordsmith will be represented by five yearlings in the 2016 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

For a State that makes up such a small percentage of the Australian thoroughbred breeding stock, to continually produce stock that has performed with such aplomb on the national stage over the past 12 months is a credit to Tasmania’s natural environment and its horseman and horsewomen.

History suggests 2016’s Magic Millions Tasmanian Sale is likely to include some serious gallopers at value prices.