Cover image courtesy of Limitless Lodge
In Part 3 of The Thoroughbred Report’s ‘Breaker Insights’ series, we chatted with Tim Boland of Limitless Lodge to find out which stallions' progeny have been impressing the experienced horseman.
Boland certainly knows a good horse when he’s in the presence of one. Former graduates of Limitless Lodge include the legendary mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), the Champion Sprinters Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago), and Nature Strip (Nicconi).
The G1 Golden Slipper victor Shinzo, who began his stud duties at Coolmore this season, is another graduate. Meanwhile, the active Zougotcha (Zoustar) and Fangirl (Sebring) also received their early education under Boland.
Tim Boland | Image courtesy of Limitless Lodge
Commenting on what these thoroughbreds had in common, Boland said, “It helps that they were supported by the biggest trainers, biggest owners, and the biggest stud owners. So that’s going to skew your statistics rather favourably; I’m well aware of that, and I’m proud to be in a position where they trust me with the best horses.
“I found those better horses to be sensible, intelligent animals.”
Boland added, “However, all the yearlings come to me from the various farms in such good shape these days. They just get better and better with the condition they turn them out in, and they’re half-educated before we even start.
“... all the yearlings come to me from the various farms in such good shape these days. They just get better and better with the condition they turn them out in, and they’re half-educated before we even start.” - Tim Boland
“They have them started on the walker, they’ve had them on rollers, and they just handle them so well. They have staff there for a long time before the sales, spending time with them, which for sure makes our job much easier.
“That work can’t be underestimated.”
The process
With a background in equestrian and eventing, Boland was able to swiftly transfer his skills and experience to educating the next generation of stars on the racetrack. He shared some insights into a typical day at Limitless Lodge: “All of mine fall into a program. I’ve got a very definite 26-day program, and I like to start on a Monday.
Tim Boland eventing
“I’m a systems and statistics guy, and I just like everything to be organised. So, during the season, we’ll start every Monday with 10 horses: it’ll be 10 fillies or 10 colts, and that’s just easier to manage. The system works well.”
Boland continued, “After 26 days, we’re very comfortable that they’re working in a pad on a track with a mate or on their own in both directions. They’ve been to the pool and to the barrier, so that’s all very familiar to them by the time they head to the paddock. It’s a pretty good system.”
Wootton Bassett rates highly
Among the Southern Hemisphere’s first-season sires, Coolmore’s Wootton Bassett (GB) is highly regarded by Boland. Already a star in Europe, Boland shared that it’s easy to understand why after working with his progeny.
Wootton Bassett (GB) | Standing at Coolmore
Wootton Bassett has been well-supported across his three seasons in Australia, covering 490 mares, including 190 in his first season, resulting in 131 live foals. Globally, Wootton Bassett is the sire of 47 stakes winners, including nine individual Group 1 winners.
“It’s very easy to say Wootton Bassett,” Boland noted. “My statistics will be skewed because I’ve got so many well-bred ones. I’ve got a lot of Wootton Bassett’s at Limitless Lodge now, and they are beautiful animals.
“They’ve got big strides, beautiful temperaments. They’re just lovely horses. So, it’s no surprise when you look at the Northern Hemisphere and see them kicking goals; no surprise at all.”
“I’ve got a lot of Wootton Bassett’s at Limitless Lodge now, and they are beautiful animals... it’s no surprise when you look at the Northern Hemisphere and see them kicking goals.” - Tim Bolland
Speaking about a colt by Wootton Bassett out of the Champion Mare Sunlight (Zoustar), Boland said, “He’s a beautiful colt.” This colt is the second foal from Sunlight, whose 11 victories include the G1 Coolmore Stud S., the G1 William Reid S., and the G1 Newmarket H.
The colt was a $1.4 million purchase by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Catheryne Bruggeman at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Boland also mentioned another Wootton Bassett colt, this one from the late Tiare (Flying Spur). The colt is the final foal from Tiare, the dam of Think About It (So You Think {NZ}), a winner of The Everest, the G1 Stradbroke H., and the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup.
The son of Tiare was a $900,000 purchase by Tom Magnier from the Grenville Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Gallery: Some of the horses highlighted by Tim Boland
Lastly, Boland highlighted a colt from the Exceed And Excel mare Fiera Vista. A winner of the Listed Morphettville Guineas, Fiera Vista is a half-sister to the multiple Group 2 winner Empress Rock (Fastnet Rock) and Dynasties (Sebring), who won the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet.
Fiera Vista also hails from the family of Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Silent Witness (El Moxie {USA}) and Sister Madly (Redoute’s Choice), a Group 2 winner and Group 1 placegetter. The colt by Wootton Bassett was Fiera Vista’s third foal and was sold for $1.6 million to Tom Magnier when presented by Segenhoe Stud at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Ole Kirk set for stardom?
Another first-season sire whose progeny have been impressing Boland is Vinery’s Ole Kirk. The supremely bred son of Champion Sire Written Tycoon is closely related to the late Champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and her multiple Group 1-winning half-brother All Too Hard, also a multiple Group 1-producing sire who stands alongside Ole Kirk at Vinery.
Ole Kirk | Standing at Vinery
Ole Kirk lived up to his pedigree on the racetrack, winning the Listed Talindert S. as a 2-year-old and placing in the G1 Champagne S. He returned as a 3-year-old to win the stallion-making G1 Golden Rose and the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
“Ole Kirk, for sure, is going to be something,” Boland told TTR AusNZ. “I’ve had plenty of them, and across the board, they’re a lovely bunch. I’m very confident he’ll turn out to be something special.”
“I’m very confident he’ll (Ole Kirk) turn out to be something special.” - Tim Boland
Of the proven sires, Boland has a particular fondness for Widden Stud’s Zoustar, who is standing for a career-high fee of $275,000 (inc GST) this spring after a sensational 2023/24 season. The son of the late Northern Meteor is wasting no time in the new season and is currently leading the Australian General Sires Premiership.
He is already the sire of four stakes winners this season: Schwarz, the G2 Missile S.; Joliestar, a victress of the G3 Show County H.; Right To Party, who won the G3 Aurie’s Star H.; and Growing Empire, who claimed the G3 HDF McNeil S. last Saturday.
“I love Zoustar. I broke Zoustar in, and he is just a star—an absolute rock star. He’s always been the most beautiful animal to deal with. I remember him as a yearling on the Gold Coast; I came home to educate him, and he’s turned out to be incredible.
“I love Zoustar. I broke Zoustar in, and he is just a star—an absolute rockstar. He’s always been the most beautiful animal to deal with.” - Tim Boland
“Incredible everywhere—on the racetrack and as a sire—and I think he’s underrated. Zoustar actually helped win the Hong Kong Premiership for Francis Lui with a horse we sold in the international sale.
“I was very pleased to see Francis win the trainers’ title with Patches Of Theta being his flag bearer.”
Patches Of Theta (Zoustar) is out of the General Nediym mare Fortune Of War and won four races in Hong Kong. He was a $550,000 purchase by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden
The son of Zoustar was re-offered at the 2023 Hong Kong Jockey Club Hong Kong International Sale, where he sold for HK$8,600,000 (AU$1,600,900) to Yeung Kit Ming Angela.
