Matings Mix: Searching for smart nicks part of Fletcher’s plan

Cover image courtesy of Telemon Thoroughbreds

Earlier this year, Dan Fletcher’s Telemon Thoroughbreds announced they had acquired the talented Red Resistance to stand at their Queensland-based operation for a fee of $11,000 (inc GST).

Bred by Go Bloodstock, the son of Russian Revolution won the G3 Canonbury S. and was placed in the G2 Todman S. His performances positioned Red Resistance as a leading contender for the G1 Golden Slipper, but unfortunately, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained juvenile was scratched on race morning.

Beyond his race record and striking appearance, Red Resistance boasts an impressive pedigree. He is out of the Lonhro mare Heatherly, a six-time winner, including the G2 Rubiton S., and was placed in both the G1 Moir S. and the G1 Oakleigh Plate.

The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Fletcher to discuss Red Resistance's reception and the mares he's set to cover. "We’ve been delighted with how Resistance has been embraced by Queensland breeders; he is set to cover a large, quality book of mares in his first season,” Fletcher said.

Compatible nicks

An important aspect of standing a new stallion is determining which 'nicks' or bloodlines will complement the stallion and give his progeny the best chance of success on the racetrack.

One method is examining which broodmare sires or families have worked well with the stallion’s sire or grandsire. Red Resistance is a grandson of Arrowfield’s four-time Champion Sire Snitzel, and Dan Fletcher expects his new stallion to match well with the bloodlines that have been successful with his grandsire.

“Being a grandson of Snitzel, we expect Red Resistance will be compatible with a similar collection of bloodlines as his Champion grandsire,” Fletcher said. “

“Written Tycoon has worked well with Snitzel as a broodmare sire, and he’s well represented in the Queensland mare population, having stood at our farm in a former guise, where he sired Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, among others.

“We’re also keen to see mares from the Halo sireline, which we expect to work well. Better Than Ready, a prolific stallion in Queensland, seems to be a perfect fit.”

Fletcher added, “There’s plenty of precedent for other well-represented, successful stallions like Show A Heart, General Nediym, and Spirit Of Boom to nick well with Red Resistance, making him a very suitable stallion for this jurisdiction.”

Red Resistance will also be supported by Sir Owen Glenn's powerful broodmare band from Go Bloodstock. “Go Bloodstock have assembled a quality cohort of mares for him. The group is headlined by Quench The Thirst, who needs no introduction and is a real statement of intent from them. She’s a stakes performer and stakes-producing daughter of Encosta De Lago, from a sister to Redoute’s Choice.

“Go Bloodstock Australia are committed to supporting Red Resistance with both quality and numbers, and when they send up a $1.5 million mare to him, it shows their belief in the stallion.”

Quench The Thirst (Encosta De Lago) was placed in the Listed Hill Smith S. and was a $1.5 million purchase by Newgate Farm at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She is the dam of Listed winner Sangria (I Am Invincible) and hails from the family of Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, the Group 1-producing stallions Manhattan Rain and Rubick, as well as the multiple Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock).

Long range plan

Dan Fletcher discussed the long-term strategy for standing Red Resistance and highlighted some of the mares the operation is sending to the son of Russian Revolution. “At Telemon, our goal is to breed a block of Book 1 Magic Millions-standard yearlings to present in 2027.

“With this objective in mind, we’re supporting him with mares like Transonic, the dam of Queensland’s 3-Year-Old of the Year finalist and Magic Millions Guineas winner, Abounding.”

Transonic, a daughter of Casino Prince, won four races and was placed in the G2 Wakeful S. and Listed Ethereal S. She is the dam of Abounding (Rich Enuff), who claimed the R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas and the Listed Gold Edition Plate, and finished fourth in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara.

Another mare heading Red Resistance’s way is Ponte Roma (NZ) (Pins), a dual winner who has produced Party For Two (Sidestep), victor of the QTIS 3YO Jewel and placegetter in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) and the G3 Sir John Monash S.

Fletcher continued, “O’Rachael, a young mare we purchased at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, who was Group 1-performed as a 2-year-old and is already the dam of the promising Pareto, will also visit him. Rumble Doll, a lightly raced daughter of Street Boss, will be served by Red Resistance as well. She was a high-class performer in Melbourne, and we rate her very highly.”

Gallery: Some of the Telemon mares visiting Red Resistance this spring

O’Rachael (Northern Meteor) won three races and was placed in the G1 Diamond S. and Listed Bright Shadow H. Her first two foals, Procyon Miss (Written Tycoon) and Pareto (Pierata), are both winners. She also has a 2-year-old by Bivouac named Lavarack.

Rumble Doll (Street Boss {USA}), a two-time winner, comes from the family of Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Belle Du Jour (Dehere {USA}), winner of the G1 Golden Slipper, G1 Newmarket H., and G2 Emirates Classic, alongside Perfectly Ready, the G1 Goodwood H. winner.

Almashooqa (Bernardini {USA}), placed in the G1 Greyville Golden Slipper and out of G3 Tesio S. winner Joy Of Flight (Flying Spur), will also visit Red Resistance. Almashooqa is a half-sister to Listed South Pacific Classic winner Landing (More Than Ready {USA}) and hails from the family of G1 The Galaxy winner Griante (Good Journey {USA}).

Annatime (Time Thief), a nine-time winner from the family of G1 Toorak H. winner Allez Wonder (Redoute’s Choice) and her Group 3-winning daughter Kooweerup (More Than Ready {USA}), will also head to Red Resistance. This family includes G1 All-Aged S. winner and Group 1-producing sire Tivaci.

“Ashwaq is a proven stakes-producing mare with an impressive pedigree, and she’ll visit Red Resistance,” Fletcher noted. “Causeway Queen, a stakes-winning sister to our superstar mare Solar Charged – dam of Champion Filly Sunlight – will also join his book.

“Denpurr, a stakes-placed daughter of Denman, who was a talented 2-year-old for the Snowden stable, is another.”

Causeway Queen (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) won eight races, including the Listed Tasmanian Oaks and Listed Strutt S. She is the dam of Listed Gore Guineas winner Goldie’s Chance (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Listed-placed Lincoln Falls (Dundeel {NZ}). The family also includes Sunlight (Zoustar), whose son Dawn Service (Justify {USA}) recently added to the family’s stakes success by winning the Listed Exford Plate.

Denpurr (Denman), stakes-placed and from the family of Niagara Falls (Danehill {USA}) – victor of the Listed Dequetteville S. and dam of G2 Reisling S. winner Elite Falls (More Than Ready {USA}) – will also visit Red Resistance. Elite Falls was placed in both the G1 Oakleigh Plate and G1 Golden Slipper.

Two daughters of Dream Ahead (USA), Dream First and State Of Power, will join the group as well. Dream First is from the family of G1 Thousand Guineas winner Serious Speed (Royal Academy {USA}) and Run Fox Run (Foxwedge), a Group 1 winner in South Africa. Dream First was placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies), while State Of Power is a half-sister to Niccovi (Nicconi), a Group 3 placegetter in Melbourne.

Also in the mix is Henny’s Princess (USA) (Henny Hughes {USA}), a stakes winner and multiple stakes performer in North America. Henny’s Princess hails from the family of North American Horse of the Year Havre De Grace (USA) (Saint Liam {USA}) and G1 Belmont S. and two-time G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Tonalist (USA).

Significant (Flying Spur), a Listed placegetter who was fourth in the G3 Western Australian Oaks, will also visit Red Resistance. She is the dam of Listed Belmont Guineas winner State Prosecutor (More Than Ready {USA}) and his full brother True Attraction, who won 11 races, including three Listed contests.

Table: Some of the matings Telemon Thoroughbreds is planning in 2024