Cover image courtesy of Glen Eden Stud
Rebel Dane has defied small crops early in his stallion career to post six winners from just 12 foals to the track, among them Group winners Fireburn and Subterranean and the stakes-placed Lloyd's Crown.
Fireburn's victory in Saturday's G2 Sweet Embrace S. for trainer Gary Portelli put the stallion back in the spotlight, further building on the boom created by Subterranean, who won the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic last May.
After books of 36 and 31 in his first two seasons at Swettenham Stud, and 11 and 14 in his first two seasons at Glen Eden, his mare numbers jumped to 49 last year on a $8800 (inc GST) service fee.
Fireburn, winner of the G2 Sweet Embrace S. | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Glen Eden confirmed via social media on Tuesday that the stallion would be leaving the farm, which is based at Moranding just north of Melbourne.
Silverdale Farm's Steve Grant is among the ownership group for the stallion, which also includes Laurel Oak Bloodstock and Ken Lowe, who raced him together in a career which included victories in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. and G1 Manikato S.
Grant said the owners wanted to give Rebel Dane a chance to increase the volume and quality of mares he served and felt he would get that in New South Wales.
"There's nothing arranged as yet. It’s more the thing of taking account and seeing what place is the best to go," he told TDN AusNZ.
"That's why we think that repositioning now is a better opportunity for him."
Steve Grant | Image courtesy of Silverdale Farm
Grant emphasised that the son of California Dane meant a lot to his owners, and they just wanted to give him the best chance of success.
"We've got a paddock named after Rebel Dane at home. He was one of our first Group 1 winners," he said.
"When he retired, Kenny Lowe and I hooked him around all over Australia and New Zealand and tried to get a place for him. That was so difficult. Now is the time to really think of the horse and give him that opportunity."
"When he (Rebel Dane) retired, Kenny Lowe and I hooked him around all over Australia and New Zealand and tried to get a place for him. That was so difficult. Now is the time to really think of the horse and give him that opportunity." - Steve Grant
Grant said there was no rush to find a home for him as yet, with the possibility that Fireburn could add further lustre to his profile as an emerging stallion, when she contests the major autumn 2-year-old features.
Regardless of where he ends up, Rebel Dane is sure to be well sought-after with stats on par with boom Newgate stallion Extreme Choice when it comes to stakes winners-to-runners.
Rebel Dane
"He's been on short numbers for a while but his fertility is very good and we think he's got a great opportunity," Grant said.
"He's a family favourite and as you know, we are a family business, so we’ll do the right thing by him."
Tough day for Glen Eden
Glen Eden made a statement on its Instagram account, saying that Rebel Dane's departure was quite a blow to the young farm.
"It’s with incredible sadness and truly broken hearts that we announce Rebel Dane won’t be standing at Glen Eden Stud in season 2022," Principal Rory O'Brien said.
Rory O'Brien | Image courtesy of Glen Eden Stud
"After a record year of covers and first-ever profitable year for the ownership group we have been informed he’ll be moved on.
"Anybody that knows us personally will know how we feel about this animal, we saw something truly special in him. A fighter on the track and the epitome of athleticism in the flesh.
"The work we put in on behalf of the owners to build him up to this point pushed me personally to near exhaustion. After the best possible result for his filly Fireburn on Saturday the high and lows of racing are here on full display for all to see.
"I’d like to thank everyone who called, text, and shook my hand on Sunday with such genuine congratulations. It won’t be forgotten. We wish the horse all the best. He’ll be missed like you can’t imagine. We wish @laureloakbloodstock all the best in the slipper; Go Girl!"
