Matings Mix: Bell River’s plans in ‘one of the hardest years for doing matings’

Cover image courtesy of Bell River Thoroughbreds

In The Thoroughbred Report’s latest segment of the ‘Matings Mix’ series, TTR AusNZ spoke with Jock Ferguson about Bell River Thoroughbred’s breeding plans this season and his thoughts on the current market, which is proving challenging for breeders.

The Ferguson family's boutique breeding operation, Bell River Thoroughbreds, has enjoyed significant success on the racetrack and in the sales ring, with an emphasis on quality. They co-bred G1 Blue Diamond S. victor Extreme Choice, who is now a Group 1-producing sire standing at Newgate Farm for a fee of $275,000 (inc GST).

“We’ve found that this year could possibly be one of the hardest years for doing matings, with very few or no proven sires available at an affordable fee, along with only a handful of first-season sires entering the Hunter Valley this year who are colonial sires,” Ferguson said.

He added, “Unfortunately, we’ve lost some up-and-coming sires and older proven sires in the last year, which really condenses the mare population, forcing us to use the busy stallions and making them even busier.”

Backing the new boys

Ferguson shared that the majority of new prospects joining the stallion ranks have impressed the operation. “Of the first-season sires, most of them impressed us, and we are using a few in the Hunter with a variety of mares.”

Among the stallions Bell River Park has deep faith in are Kia Ora Stud’s Farnan, a G1 Golden Slipper winner whose first progeny are 2-year-olds this season, and Newgate Farm’s Tassort, who produced G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner Manaal, also victorious in the G3 Gimcrack S. on debut in the spring.

Tassort’s first crop turned three in August, and the son of Brazen Beau has already continued his promising start, with his daughter Ameena winning the G2 Silver Shadow S., beating Manaal.

“We’re really taking a leap of faith this year and are backing our instinct in what we truly believe in. We are going deep on both Farnan and Tassort, two stallions we have high hopes for in the future,” Ferguson shared.

“Both stallions have been on our radar for quite some time, and we have always supported both sires, especially since both are at an affordable fee, which offers a good return for our clients.”

Farnan is standing the 2024 season at a fee of $55,000 (inc GST), while Tassort received a fee increase to $38,500 (inc GST) following the encouraging results from his first crop.

“Last year, we tried cornering the market by using Tassort heavily with some good mares that would be in his top 10 per cent. We also bought mares in foal to him that would fall into that bracket on pedigree and, hopefully, produce a good type as well.”

Another young stallion impressing Ferguson is Coolmore’s Home Affairs. The dual Group 1-winning son of I Am Invincible will be represented by his first yearlings in 2025.

“Home Affairs is also on our radar, and we loved the foals that were on offer this year at the weanling sales. He was a very good racehorse and has the pedigree to back it up, along with the shareholder support he’s received some very good mares, which should hold him in good stead for the future.”

Of the more proven options, the Newgate Farm-based pair of Capitalist and Russian Revolution appeal to Bell River Park. Capitalist, a Golden Slipper winner and Group 1-producing sire, is standing for $66,000 (inc GST).

Russian Revolution, a dual Group 1 winner with victories in the G1 Oakleigh Plate and the G1 The Galaxy, is also a Group 1-producing sire and is available for $66,000 (inc GST) this season.

“I think both Capitalist and Russian Revolution could be on the cusp of becoming something special. Breeding to either of them this year could benefit any breeder, with both of their best crops ahead of them. This game is all about being on the right leg and timing.”

Farnan-bound

Bell River Thoroughbreds has several mares likely to be heading Farnan’s way this season. Ferguson shared a few details, including one about their homebred mare, Schapps, a daughter of So You Think (NZ). Schapps comes from the Woodman (USA) mare Schiaparelli, who is the dam of the G2 Queensland Guineas winner Rothesay and the Listed winner Sensei (Dream Ahead {USA}).

Ferguson explained, “Schapps was a homebred, who we retained to race, but unfortunately, she sustained an injury. She’s a gorgeous mare and from the most beautiful family of Canny Lad and Canny Lass. More recently, Schnapps is a half-sister to Rothesay and Sboog, the dam of Coleman.

“It was unfortunate we never got to see her on the track, as we thought, after breaking her in, she could’ve been the real deal.”

Another mare bound for Farnan is the Listed Cap d’Antibes and Group 2-placed Members Joy (Hussonet {USA}), who is owned by a client of Bell River Thoroughbreds. Currently in foal to Zoustar, she will visit Farnan next. A proven producer, Members Joy is the dam of G2 Percy Sykes and G2 Furious S. winner Pure Elation (I Am Invincible) and the granddam of Hip Hip Hurrah (Snitzel), the winner of the Listed Woodlands S.

Members Joy recently had a Snitzel colt, who was sold to Jim Carey for $575,000 at this year’s Inglis Great Southern Sale. Ferguson noted, “She had a very nice colt by Snitzel sell this year to Jim Carey down at the Inglis Great Southern Sale, and he was actually the highest-priced weanling colt this year at $575,000.

“Members Joy is heading off to Farnan this year. The nick with Not A Single Doubt and Hussonet mares is phenomenal and, as we all know, has statistically produced the best stallion in the country, Extreme Choice.

“It’s hard to argue against the fact that she’s probably thrown the best 2-year-old performer by I Am Invincible to date in Pure Elation, who I think could have been a lot better if she were able to piece it all together. I don’t think we ever really saw what she could have been if she had continued to race on.”

Another mare, Xtravagant Fire (Xtravagant {NZ}), currently in foal to Coolmore’s Starspangledbanner, will also head to Farnan. She is out of the Octagonal (NZ) mare Bon Fire, whose Group 3-placed daughter Heat Of The Fire (Strategic) produced the G3 Kindergarten S. winner Furnaces and the Listed winner Volcanic Rock (Hinchinbrook).

“We purchased Xtravagant Fire in the middle of last year, having always wanted to get a young mare out of this family,” Ferguson said.

“She’s very typical of what the family looks like, and her half-sister this year had a Written By that made $700,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Xtravagant Fire is not far off foaling. We went to a proven sire first-up and, hopefully, it gets her broodmare career off to a good start.

“She’s headed to Farnan this year and fits the bill as to what style of mare to send to him.”

Another potential mate for Farnan is Bel Mer (Bel Esprit), a winner of the G1 Robert Sangster S. and the Listed Quezette S., who was also placed in the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

Ferguson shared they are also considering Widden Stud's exciting Anders as an option for Bel Mer.

The daughter of Bel Esprit is the dam of the eight-time winner All Too Royal (All Too Hard), whose successes include the Listed Christmas S. He was also placed in the G2 Rubiton and finished fourth in the G1 Oakleigh Plate.

Her 3-year-old filly by Extreme Choice, named Surprise Honey, was an $800,000 purchase by Peachester Lodge at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Bel Mer returned to Extreme Choice, producing a filly named Bel Merci, and foaled a colt by Farnan last spring.

“We retained the Extreme Choice 2-year-old Bel Merci from Bel Mer, and all reports from John Thompson have been good. We’re hoping that the filly, with all going well, will put her hand up for some early 2-year-old races,” Ferguson said.

“Bel Mer currently has a Farnan colt who is heading for the sales circuit in 2025. She is a lovely mare, and from what we’ve seen with the Farnan yearling and what Anders throws, it’s a great mating.

“She just puts so much quality and strength into her foals, especially for an older mare. Each year, she surprises us, and you wouldn’t guess her age,” Ferguson added. “We always nurse those older mares, rugging and feeding them extra; we really think it helps with their health.”

Home Affairs and Tassort rate highly

Boom Time Miss (Epaulette) was specifically purchased with Tassort in mind, as she is a half-sister to Ameena, who recently won the G2 Silver Shadow S. Ferguson explained, “We purchased Boom Time Miss a while back, knowing that Ameena was on the page as a 2-year-old, with the hope that she’d be able to win a Group race.

“So far, Ameena has proven that by winning the G2 Silver Shadow S. a weekend ago. Ameena wasn’t the only factor; we all remembered their second dam, Boom Time Savings, and how good a 2-year-old she was, along with her half-brother Boomwaa.

“Mares with that kind of ability can really lay a platform for genetics in the future, and more recently, I guess we’ve seen that with a mare like Via Africa, the dam of In The Congo and Autumn Glow.

“The plan when buying Boom Time Miss was always Tassort, and the other weekend really justified that decision. She’s a well-put-together mare, and Tassort will complement her in a lot of ways,” Ferguson added.

Set To Skelter (Reset), a proven producer, is the dam of G2 Rubiton S. winner Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible) and More Prophets (Smart Missile), a G3 Dark Jewel Classic winner. She is currently in foal to Harry Angel (Ire) but will be bred to Tassort this spring.

Ferguson commented, “Set To Skelter was a very easy, straightforward mating this year; she’s heading to Tassort. He’s doing the best job from that sire line (I Am Invincible) at a reasonable fee this year. Set To Skelter has already produced two stakes winners, including a track record holder.

“It was a no-brainer to book her into Tassort.”

Meanwhile, Tropicana Lady (Fastnet Rock) will be bred to Home Affairs. The daughter of Fastnet Rock is the dam of Group 3 winner Banana Queen (So You Think {NZ}), who was purchased for $1 million by Hilldene Farm at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

“Tropicana Lady is owned by a client of the farm. She’s a smaller, neater, and prettier style of Fastnet Rock mare from a very good family in Aspen Falls, and one that suits a stallion with a bit more size and scope,” Ferguson told TTR AusNZ.

“She can undoubtedly throw a type, with Banana Queen recently being sold this year at the Chairman’s Sale for $1 million. Tropicana Lady has been empty the past two years, and having done all the groundwork last year, it will be a real pleasure if we can get her back in foal this year.”

Heat Of The Fire (Strategic) is currently in foal to Tassort but will be heading to Coolmore’s Acrobat. Ferguson shared, “We bought her a few years back to specifically target getting a filly out of her. It’s a great family with a lot of depth to it, going back to Cloister and Melito.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t got a filly from Heat Of The Fire yet, but we’re praying for a Tassort filly. However, we’ve been lucky enough to breed a stakes winner along the way in Volcanic Rock.”

More Prophets, a Group 3-winning daughter of Set To Skelter mentioned earlier, recently foaled a colt by Home Affairs but will be heading to Extreme Choice this season. Ferguson noted, “She’s just had a very nice first foal by Home Affairs. The whole dam line nicks very well with the I Am Invincible sire line, with her half-sister being Prophet’s Thumb, a Group 2 winner and track record holder over 1100 metres at Randwick.

“More Prophets also has another very talented half-sister by Brazen Beau called Another Prophet, who looks to be quite handy as well. She’s heading off to Extreme Choice this year. We’re hoping to get in early, and fingers crossed we’ll get a positive; it seems to be a good physical mating.”

Stallions on the radar

Other stallions to be utilised by Bell River Park this season include Brutal (NZ), and the new addition Militarize (NZ). The Not A Single Doubt mare, Innocent Party, recently produced her first foal, a filly by Star Turn, and will be served by the G1 Doncaster H. victor.

“We bought Innocent Party a couple of years back and decided to race her as a 2-year-old. She showed a good bit of ability and won her maiden impressively. She’s out of a Group 3-winning Malibu Moon mare named Kiss Moon, who recently produced a smart debut winner by Brutal—Savagery Vibe—hence why Innocent Party is heading to him.

“It’s physically a really good mating; Brutal should add a bit of size to her, as she is a medium-sized mare. She also recently had a nice first foal, a filly by Star Turn.”

Beyond The Sea (Ilovethiscity) is set to go to Militarize. The mare recently gave birth to her first foal, a filly by Russian Revolution. Ferguson remarked, “I have to give special mention to this mare, as a couple of staff members, Rylee Harvey and Robert Berry, are both involved in her.

“We initially bought Beyond The Sea to trade and offered her at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, but we were happy to keep her as we believed in the mare. She’s such a good type and probably had one of the biggest barrels you’d ever see on a maiden mare.

“Our decision was vindicated recently as she’s had one of the best foals you’d ever see by Russian Revolution, with plenty of bone, size, and an extremely good shape to her. Beyond The Sea is from a really good family that always produces black-type horses, and she is a half-sister to Anabaa’s Legacy, the dam of Economics.”

Ferguson added, “Without the help of our staff, none of this is possible. They are just as important as us in keeping the business ticking over, and we will always actively support them in getting involved.”

Irithea (Snitzel) is due to foal to Dundeel (NZ) soon, but her mate this season is still undecided. An eight-time winner, with the G3 Hawkesbury Crown and the G3 Dark Jewel Classic on her resume, Irithea’s first foal is a 2-year-old filly by Maurice (Jpn) named Kurithea, who was purchased by Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) for $300,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

She then foaled a colt by Pierro before visiting him again. Ferguson shared, “She’s not too far off foaling, but she’s a lovely mare and currently has a very nice Pierro colt in the paddock, who will head to the sales in 2025.

“Irithea is in foal to Dundeel, and we’re very much looking forward to what comes out; it’s a great physical mating. So far, we’re still undecided as to where she will go next. Her first foal, a filly named Kurithea, was sold at this year’s Magic Millions for $300,000, the equal fourth highest-priced Maurice sold this year.”

Another mare whose next destination is undecided is Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible). The Group 2 winner is expecting her third foal, having been served by Darley’s Champion Anamoe.

Her first foal is a 2-year-old filly by Farnan, and she foaled a colt by Lonhro last spring. Ferguson explained, “The Lonhro colt is very nice and will head to the sales next year. We’re undecided on Prophet’s Thumb’s mating this year, as we’re waiting to see what the Anamoe foal is like.

“As far as physicals go with Anamoe, it should be a nice foal, and all reports we’ve heard suggest that people are sending mares back to him based on the quality of the foals dropping. They should both complement one another, adding strength and length to each other.”

Table: Matings schedule for Bell River Park's broodmare band