Self-promotion usually takes precedence in the breeding and bloodstock game, especially after a feature winner like Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock), but take a seat near Curraghmore Stud's barn and stud owner Gordon Cunningham will most likely want to talk at length about his pride in the New Zealand breeding industry as a whole.
"I feel so fortunate to have an established farm among a great breeding industry here in New Zealand. While we have had a lot of success, you can go through every barn at Karaka and see that all of these farms have stood the test of time," he said.
“Really, we are just another New Zealand farm that produces great horses." – Gordon Cunningham
"The large majority of them have a history of breeding quality horses on their farms on a regular basis. We are fortunate to be able to breed nice horses on our farm, but equally we have had the opportunity to source horses from other proven breeding farms and consign on their behalf. Really, we are just another New Zealand farm that produces great horses."
Gordon Cunningham
It's not his style, but Cunningham really doesn't need to pump up Curraghmore's tyres anyway, as the results and names of the stakes winners sold by the master consignors speak for themselves.
Even though Curraghmore's philosophy stresses quality over quantity, the sheer number of stakes performers offered for sale by a stud of its size is staggering, and Saturday's Karaka 3YO Classic win with Long Leaf was just the latest in the farm's relatively short but storied history.
Outstanding graduates
From multiple Group 1 winner Fairway (Danzero) back in 1997 through to G1 Victoria Derby and G1 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient (Zabeel {NZ}), a long list of top-class thoroughbreds have passed through Curraghmore's sales barn.
Melbourne Cup winner Efficient was a Curraghmore graduate
The G1 Flight S. winner First Seal (Fastnet Rock), Fort Lincoln (NZ)(Charge Forward) plus Group 1 winners Sphenophyta (NZ) (Charge Forward), Sousa (NZ)(Galileo {Ire}), Velocitea (NZ)(Volksraad {NZ}) and many more are Curraghmore graduates.
At New Zealand Bloodstock's 2015 Premier Yearling Sale alone, Curraghmore's barn contained three future stars, G1 Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock), G1 Caulfield Guineas hero Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt) and the classy Group 3-winning mare Tulip (Pierro).
Master consignors
Curraghmore has a high-quality band of broodmares but the stud is as well known for its work consigning yearlings from breeders like Raffles and Coolmore.
Long Leaf was bred by Coolmore, consigned by Curraghmore, bought for $750,000 at the 2017 Premier Sale and raced by Sir Peter Vela and prominent Coolmore owners.
"We have been recognised as a leading vendor, but our main focus is to sell horses we think are genuine prospects as racehorses, horses we would want to be racing ourselves." - Gordon Cunningham
"We inspect the stock from Raffles and Coolmore each year and we get the opportunity to ask if we can sell particular horses," Cunningham explained.
Long Leaf winning the Karaka Million 3YO Classic
"We have been given the opportunity to offer horses on their behalf. We have been recognised as a leading vendor, but our main focus is to sell horses we think are genuine prospects as racehorses, horses we would want to be racing ourselves. Those farms are proven nurseries and that's so important."
A hands-on horseman
Cunningham, a native of Ireland and grandson of legendary trainer Michael Collins, was stud master at Waikato before starting Curraghmore in 1994.
The term hands-on can be overused in racing, but spend some time watching Cunningham go about his work, even on a busy sales parade day, and it is immediately clear that it's a perfect description of a breeder with an eye for detail who takes pride in his work.
Cunningham said Curraghmore's role as vendor is to provide a draft from which quality is assured from top to bottom.
"This is a game of chance, but I endeavour to offer the best line-up of prospects I possibly can." – Gordon Cunningham
"This is a game of chance, but I endeavour to offer the best line-up of prospects I possibly can," he said.
"If we are going to bring horses in we are not just preparing them to make a good price at the sale, because the sale is just the beginning, they have a career ahead of them.
“We are not about big prices, we want to be known for racetrack success."
Quality draft
Curraghmore's 17-horse draft includes the usual mix of quality yearlings bred on its own Te Awamutu farm and high-quality prospects sourced from other proven breeders.
The stud kicked things off on Sunday with two sold lots, the highlight being a Pride Of Dubai colt (Lot 13) knocked down for $140,000 to Pike Racing, but there is a lot more quality to come.
Lot 684 by Darci Brahma (NZ) is a filly out of stakes-placed mare Distinctive Lass (Orientate {USA}), making her a half-sister to former top sprinter Kuro (NZ) (Denman).
"Kuro was born on our farm, he was Group 1-placed twice and second to Brazen Beau (NZ)(I Am Invincible) in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes," Cunningham said.
"She is a lovely, quality filly with a lot of athleticism and her dam is a proven producer.” – Gordon Cunningham
"She is a lovely, quality filly with a lot of athleticism and her dam is a proven producer. We have a lot of confidence in her."
Lot 684 Darci Brahma (NZ) x Distinctive Lass
The 11 colts catalogued by Curraghmore boast some of Austrasia's leading sires and Lot 348, by Pierro out of Rollout The Carpet (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), is a consigned lot with a historical link to the stud.
"We consigned the mare as well," Cunningham said. "This colt is very athletic and mature and he ticks an awful lot of the boxes of what you want to see in a yearling."
