Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Hallmark Stud
The Baker family’s Hallmark Stud enjoyed one of their greatest moments of their long time in racing in March when star Kiwi filly Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) easily accounted for her rivals in the G1 Vinery Stud S. at Rosehill.
It was the Hallmark Stud-bred 3-year-old’s fifth victory on the bounce and second at the highest level, following her triumph in the Bonecrusher New Zealand S. at Pukekohe a fortnight earlier.
Prowess, who made NZ$230,000 when consigned by Hallmark Stud at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1), has been one of the best New Zealand-bred 3-year-olds in what is an elite crop, one that also boasts Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca), Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Affaire a Suivre (NZ) (Astern).
“It’s been a great season, highlighted by Prowess, who has done a great job for her owners, as well as trainers Roger (James) and Robert (Wellwood),” Hallmark Stud’s Mark Baker told TDN AusNZ.
“It’s always a great sense of achievement when they’re born and raised and you sell them, then they go on for the owners.
“It’s been a great season, highlighted by Prowess, who has done a great job for her owners, as well as trainers Roger (James) and Robert (Wellwood).” - Mark Baker
“Australia is the peak, so if you can pick up a Group 1 over there… that’s why you get out of bed every morning.”
New Zealand breeders have really stamped their mark on the Australian Group 1s this season, with top company winners such as Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ) all featuring the NZ suffix.
Baker is adamant that bodes well for Friday’s sale.
“At the end of the day, you can come up with all the glossy brochures and host all the dinners you like, but it’s results-driven and it doesn’t get any better than what the Kiwi-breds have achieved this year over there (in Australia),” Baker said.
Mark Baker | Image courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association
“We punch above our weight, given our small percentage of the population there.”
Baker is confident Hallmark Stud’s fine season can continue at Friday’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling and Broodmare Sale at Karaka, where it will offer three weanlings and seven broodmares (all in foal).
The mares are part of an unreserved dispersal for Rob Ferguson - a former owner of Magic Millions and Torryburn Stud. He will have 15 mares consigned on Friday, including seven by Hallmark Stud.
“He’s been a great client, so we’re very happy to be presenting them for him,” said Baker.
“He’s (Rob Ferguson) been a great client, so we’re very happy to be presenting them for him.” - Mark Baker
“There’s some lovely mares there and a real opportunity.
“They’re all in foal to an exciting young stallion in Tarzino.”
Some of the highlight lots include Lot 222 - Naval Fleet (NZ). The daughter of Declaration Of War (USA) won three races and placed at Listed level, and is a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}).
“She’s beautiful, a really good type of mare,” Baker said.
“She uses herself well and has good size and scope.
“She should sell well.”
Gallery: Some of Hallmark Stud's highlight broodmares, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
And Lot 209 - Kate Velour (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) - is half-sister to the G1 Zabeel Classic heroine Consensus (NZ) (Postponed {USA}).
“She’s a very nice Showcasing mare and a half to a Group 1 winner,” he said.
“A beautifully balanced mare, a great action and a good attitude.
“She’s a real opportunity.”
A trio of quality weanlings
Hallmark Stud’s first weanling to go through the ring on Friday will be Lot 126 - a Vadamos (Fr) colt out of the stakes performer Queen’s Elect (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).
“He’s a big, strong boy out of a stakes-placed mare,” Baker commented
“He’s (Lot 126) a big, strong boy out of a stakes-placed mare.” - Mark Baker
“You could bring him back as a yearling or breeze him or put a saddle on for the tried-horse market.
“He’s a lovely horse.”
Lot 135 is a colt by Super Easy (NZ), who stands at Hallmark Stud, from the Listed victress Salsa (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). She has thrown the Listed scorer Diamond King (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}).
“Super Easy has done a wonderful job,” Baker said.
“This colt is out of a good, old mare in Salsa, who was a stakes winner that has left a stakes winner.”
Gallery: Hallmark Stud's weanlings to be offered, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
And Lot 153 is a filly from Hello Youmzain’s (Fr) first crop. She is out of the winning Pierro mare Socialights.
Baker remarked: “With any first-crop stallion, there’s always terrific anticipation around their progeny. Hello Youmzain is so well-bred and was such a high-performer, capped off by his win (in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S.) at Royal Ascot.
“She’s a really neat, running filly. She’s correct, with a great action and uses herself well.”
