Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

There is no clear-cut answer to the question of what makes a thoroughbred family great. Why do some families die out, why do others thrive? Why does some racetrack success seemingly come out of nowhere?

Human intervention is key, the thoroughbred is after all a man-made creature and it is they who decide the fate of the breed.

And haven’t some people done a fantastic job with that; the world’s great breeders a dab hand at developing families and ensuring their ongoing success.

We still see the effects of breeders who did their research and trusted their horsemanship skills decades (and longer) ago; the likes of Federico Tesio, the Aga Khan, the Earl Of Derby, Marcel Boussac and Bull Hancock breeding horses who still influence results.

The types of races run in any jurisdiction have a huge effect on how horses are bred; historically in the United Kingdom the G1 Epsom Derby; Tesio’s famous quote coming to mind...

“The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby.”

In Australia, in particular the Hunter Valley, the focus has been for decades now, on a winning post at Rosehill.

The G1 Golden Slipper S. is a perfect example of how one knowledgeable and passionate person can influence a breed for generations; the race really taking off due to the influence of Star Kingdom (Ire) imported by Stanley Wootton.

One interesting aspect of thoroughbred breeding is how sire lines ebb and flow, some dying out completely. Great families however are more durable.

Dominant families

Studying the results of Australia’s best races, you see how many times the same families feature; whether it be close relations or members of the same dominant line; high quality horses who have some of the great matriarchs of history as their ancestors.

The latest season was a big one for relations with 19 Group 1 winners able to claim other stakes winners for that period amongst their close relatives.

Making those families very interesting to look at.

There are lots of boxes to tick when honing in on the successful broodmare and it is very hard to find one who fulfils every criteria.

Ability is a major determining factor in regards to the success of a broodmare; every study conducted world wide on this topic coming up with the same result; mares with talent make better broodmares than those without.

That is not to say, of course, that slow mares are automatically poor broodmares. A quote from author and successful breeder John Hislop comes to mind...

John Hislop in “Breeding For Racing”

“As in all aspects of breeding, there are no set rules or guides to finding good stock. Bad race mares, ill-shaped ones, unsound mares, mares with obscure pedigrees, bad-tempered mares, delicate mares, all from those unpromising categories have at some time or other produced a good racehorse.”

“An occurrence of this kind is journalistic news and as such receives undue prominence in the press. Conversely, when an outstanding racemare fails to breed a racehorse in the same class as herself she is almost invariably dismissed as a bad broodmare. Thus the true picture becomes obscured and wild statements are accepted as fact by many, such as: ‘good race mares don’t make good broodmares’.... observations of this nature are seldom if ever supported by fact or genetics and should be ignored.”

However statistics do show that good quality race mares; whether they be stakes winners, city winners or handy provincial types; ones who have talent and winning will power to pass on, are more likely to fare well at stud.

Conformation and temperament are obviously major factors; a writer finds it hard to determine those qualities from her desk but the purchase prices of mares and their progeny is some indication to their quality.

Pedigree is another important considerations as are, as already mentioned, the people steering the careers of the broodmares.

With all this in mind let’s look at some of last season’s most successful broodmares.

Miss Debutante - star broodmare

When it comes to hot families, there is no more in-form broodmare in Australia than Go Bloodstock’s Miss Debutante (Fastnet Rock) whose first three foals are all stakes winners; two of those winning feature contests last season.

Miss Debutante’s first three runners are all stakes winners; the G1 Golden Slipper S. heroine Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon), the four-time Group 3 winner Queen Of The Ball (I Am Invincible) and the G3 Gimcrack S. winner Platinum Jubilee (Zoustar) who was in the headlines when purchased by Coolmore Stud for $3.5 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Miss Debutante was a $430,000 Inglis Easter purchase by renowned judge Paul Moroney so she undoubtedly ticks the good conformation box. And she had talent, winning four of her eight starts including the Listed Denise’s Joy S.

And then there is pedigree with Miss Debutante’s first three dams all being stakes winning dam of stakes winners. She is a daughter of hot broodmare sire Fastnet Rock and she was bred by Kia Ora Stud and her stakes winners by Go Bloodstock; both who have enjoyed considerable success over good periods of time.

100 per cent black-type

Another young mare boasting a 100 per cent black-type record is Cosmah Domination (Oratorio) whose first two foals are both Group 1 winners; her first foal Bustler (Playing God) winning seven races including the spring’s G1 Railway S. whilst her second foal A Lot Of Good Men (A Lot {USA}) won, at his most recent outing in April, the G1 Western Australian Derby.

Cosmah Domination was not high class but she won three races and was in the placings on a further seven occasions from 20 starts. She was bred in partnership by the highly successful Mungrup Stud as were her two Group 1 winners. Her family has been a consistent one and often a classy one; over the generations producing its fair share of Group 1 performers.

She is not particularly commercially bred and was a cheap buy. But she is obviously producing type; Bustler a $130,000 yearling whilst her 2-year-old Fight For Life fetched $625,000 at this year’s Magic Millions with Sheamus Mills enraptured by him.

And then there is Bumbasina (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) who has the G1 Northerly S. winner Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) as her first foal and the Group 1 placed Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}) as her third; her second unraced.

She won two races and was twice stakes placed. Amelia’s Jewel didn’t go through a sale but Bosustow sold for $900,000; both talented horses bred by Amelia Park who are certainly astute. Bumbasina’s dam produced Group winners and her stakes-placed grandam produced a Champion 2-year-old in the UK.

And her’s is a family that has been to the fore in the best races for generations, her ancestress being the great Chelandry (GB) (Goldfinch {GB}).

Two recent stakes winners for Transfers

The multiple city winner Transfers (Street Cry {Ire}) is another mare represented by a lot of talent amongst her first foals, her first four all winners with three of those being stakes winners, two of those this season.

Last spring’s G1 Spring Champion S. winner Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) is the best of those whilst the recently exported Va Via (Astern) claimed the Listed Black Pearl at Geelong in January.

Also dam of the Listed Canberra Guineas winner Promotions (Exceed And Excel), Transfers is a granddaughter of the Canterbury winner Twyla (Danehill {USA}) whose great grandson Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) took out the G1 Captain Cook S. last December.

The Darley-bred Transfers didn’t race in stakes company but she did win on four of occasions, three times in metropolitan company. Her sire is the outstanding Street Cry (Ire), her dam sire Encosta De Lago, her second dam sire Danehill (USA), her third Nijinsky (Can) and her fourth Sir Ivor (USA); no weak links there!

Her city winning dam Movin’ Out (Encosta De Lago) has a multitude of high-class relations, her dam being a three-quarter sister to Redoute’s Choice from the the internationally prolific Best In Show (USA) (Traffic Judge {USA}) family.

One which also produced this year’s G1 Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) and the recent G2 Missile S. winner Schwarz (Zoustar).

And so whilst a great broodmare is difficult to predict, there are no surprises in this group; all boasting combinations of superior type, sire line, ability and/or pedigree.

Several other in-form families were represented by Group 1 and other successes last season and we look forward to taking a closer look at them in upcoming issues.

Cover image courtesy of Australian Turf Club

On Thursday, Rosehill hosted 13 trials on a Good 4 track under overcast conditions. Heat 6 drew considerable interest, featuring Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.'s promising colt Bustling (Frosted {USA}).

The former Western Australian runner was piloted by Chad Schofield in the 900-metre heat. Bustling was unleashed at the top of the straight, bounding away to secure a 1.39l victory over Makarena (Snitzel). Also noteworthy was the first appearance of Group 1-placed I Am Unstoppable under his new trainer, Ciaron Maher.

Finishing strongly despite a sixth-place result was Joseph Pride’s The Black Cloud (Shamus Award), who was only 2.79l off the winner.

Bustling is already locked in for next month’s The Everest. The son of Frosted (USA) was purchased privately after a successful 2-year-old campaign in Western Australia, where he won four races, including the G2 Karrakatta Plate, the G3 WA Sires’ Produce S., and the Listed Perth S. Bustling is the standout runner from Busimiss (Key Business), who was twice Listed-placed.

Broadsiding makes a show

Another trial that garnered significant attention was Heat 7, marking the return of the dual Group 1 winner Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}).

The son of Too Darn Hot (GB) was last seen 12 weeks ago when he secured a dominant victory in the G1 JJ Atkins S. Ridden by James McDonald in the 900-metre heat, Broadsiding was, however, upstaged on this occasion by the Michael, John, and Wayne Hawkes-trained Keysborough (I Am Invincible), a grandson of the late Champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).

The James Cummings-trained colt wasn’t disgraced by any means. Keysborough set the early pace while McDonald settled Broadsiding in mid-field. As they entered the straight, Broadsiding was urged forward, closing the gap to finish 1.26l behind Keysborough. Terrestar (Zoustar) claimed third, finishing 1.44l behind, while Body Bob (Written Tycoon) took fourth.

Bred by Darley and raced by Godolphin, Broadsiding has won four races, including the G1 Champagne S., the G1 JJ Atkins, the G2 Sires’ Produce S., and the Listed Fernhill H.

Kitten runs second

Godolphin's Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) was also in action in Heat 3, where the G1 Spring Champion S. winner finished second to Chica Mojito (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), trained by Chris Waller.

Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, the 4-year-old mare Chica Mojito narrowly defeated Tom Kitten. Finishing third was Vaguer (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) from the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable.

Chris Waller's G3 Rough Habit Plate winner Tannhauser (Dundeel {NZ}) was fourth, only 1.69l behind the winner.

Chica Mojito is a proven winner over 1300 metres, having been placed in the G3 Eulogy S. and finishing fourth in both the G2 Queensland Guineas and the G3 James HB Carr S.

Tom Kitten, who recently returned to the track as a gelding, made an explosive comeback at Rosehill. Trainer James Cummings has indicated that the son of Harry Angel (Ire) may now be aimed at the G3 Bill Ritchie H.

A winner for Exceedance

Vinery’s Exceedance was in the spotlight on Thursday morning with a winner in Heat 9. Gattodance, trained by Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes and carrying the Vinery colours, claimed victory in the trial over 900 metres.

The 3-year-old gelding, ridden by Jay Ford, managed to edge out Parting The Seas (Ocean Park {NZ}), with Canara (I Am Invincible) finishing third. Also making a strong impression was Ellipsis (Written Tycoon), who finished fast on the outside to secure fourth place.

Gattodance is the second foal out of the winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Meow, who is well-related, being a half-sister to Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom). Outback Barbie boasts victories in the Listed Bright Shadow H., the Listed Mode S., the Listed Keith Noud H., and the Listed Calaway Gal S.

Outback Barbie also placed in several black-type events, including the G2 Silver Shadow S., the G2 Percy Sykes S., and the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Eagle one to watch?

The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Northern Eagle (Written Tycoon) might be one to keep an eye on, following the unraced 3-year-old colt's trial win on Thursday morning.

Northern Eagle featured in Heat 4 over 1030 metres, with Tom Sherry in the saddle. The colt took the lead and finished strongly, winning by 1.46l over San Jeronimo (Lope De Vega {Ire}), with Counterpart (Trapeze Artist) in third.

The son of Written Tycoon is the third foal out of the Congrats (USA) mare Queen’s Crown. He hails from the family of the Listed winner Listen Here (Elusive Quality {USA}), who is the dam of Shooting To Win, the G1 Caulfield Guineas victor, and his full brother Deep Field, a Group 2 winner and Group 1-producing sire.

Northern Eagle was purchased for $90,000 by George Moore Bloodstock from the draft of Two Bays Farm at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Epsom winner continues comeback

Chris Waller’s G1 Epsom H. winner Rediener (Redoute’s Choice) continues his comeback as he prepares for a return to the racetrack. The son of Redoute’s Choice finished third in Heat 8 over 900 metres, with James McDonald in the saddle.

The trial winner was Shines (Dream Ahead {USA}), from the Michael, John, and Wayne Hawkes stable. Ridden by Zac Lloyd, Shines defeated Star Act (Snitzel) by 1.16l with Rediener close behind in third.

Shines, a lightly raced 6-year-old gelding, has won three of his 17 starts and placed in a further six. He was a $3000 purchase by the Superhorse Trust from Newhaven Park’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

The son of Dream Ahead (USA) is the fifth foal from the Exceed And Excel mare Christmas and hails from the family of Group 1 winner Mission Critical (Fantastic Light {USA}).

Have A Lot makes a favourable impression

Richard and Will Freedman’s Have A Lot (Deep Field) made an impressive debut on Thursday in Heat 11 over 900 metres. Ridden by Andrew Adkins, Have A Lot secured a comfortable victory, finishing ahead of Handkerchief (Capitalist) and Broadway Follies (Smart Missile).

Have A Lot is the fourth foal of the Majesticperfection (USA) mare Ma Can Do It (USA), who was placed in the G1 Alcibiades S. and the G2 Black-Eyed Susan S.

The son of Deep Field was purchased for $200,000 by AP Chan from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

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