Different To is the kind of mare breeders and stud farms dream of - a filly purchased for just NZ$170,000 who, while unsuccessful on the track herself, has more than delivered in the breeding barn. She’s produced a Group 1 Classic winner, and her progeny have fetched millions in the sales ring.
Now, Different To (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) has added another jewel to her collection, delivering a stunning Anamoe filly last week - the kind of type that would be a prized possession in any sales catalogue, or a future star on the track in the familiar Peachester Lodge colours of Graham and Linda Huddy.
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Jo Griffin of Lime Country Thoroughbreds, where this filly was born and where the mare still resides.
Anamoe x Different To (NZ) filly | Born at Lime Country Thoroughbreds
A mare owned by great friends and long-term clients
It’s clear how much Different To means to the team at Lime Country - and equally, how much breeders and close friends Graham and Linda Huddy mean to them, given the pivotal role they played in Lime Country’s relocation to Australia.
“Different To is owned by some of our dearest friends and long-term clients Graham and Linda Huddy.” Griffin said.
“Who to be honest, we wouldn’t be in Australia without them becoming supporters of ours and encouraging us to make the move.
Jo Griffin | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We have foaled all of her (Different To) foals apart from Media Sensation since we have been in Australia, and it really is the highlight of the breeding season for us. It's a great family, and now her daughters are being mated to their eyeballs, so the family could keep getting better and better.
It hasn't all been plain sailing with some obstacles along the way, but there is no doubt this has added to the meaning of the mare and her progeny.
“We nearly lost the dam after she foaled To Wish (Fastnet Rock), she had to have colic surgery and over a metre of her intestine removed.
“It was devastating, Greg took her to the clinic that night, Georgia our daughter was there, everyone in tears, and she came through it, so she means a lot to us.
Graham and Linda Huddy | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“To Wish was named that, as Linda Huddy got to see her on her birthday, and she was hoping for a Fastnet Rock filly and she got it.
“The mare is special to us, and even though Graham and Linda have their own farm where the mares often go after they are fully tested in foal, Different To resides with us, and often they come and visit her once a year, even up to three times a year. She means a lot to all of us.”
A proven broodmare with outstanding blood
Different To may have only raced once, but she had the bloodlines to succeed in the breeding barn. She is a half-sister to the five-time winner and dual Group 1 heroine Dorabella (NZ) (Postponed {USA}), who claimed both the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas and G1 Captain Cook Stakes. She is also closely related to Crusoe (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), a dual Listed winner and Group 1 placegetter.
At stud, Different To has more than justified that pedigree. She produced Media Sensation (I Am Invincible), a seven-time winner including victories in the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas, G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, G3 Soliloquy Stakes, and the Listed Waikato Sprint Handicap.
Media Sensation | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Another of her progeny, On Display (Fastnet Rock), was a $1.1 million yearling purchase by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA), and she has since gone on to win the Listed Adelaide Guineas. Going by her recent jump-outs, she looks primed to add to that record this spring for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Success in the ring and on the track
Lime Country has presented three of Different To’s progeny at Australian yearling sales, where they have sold for a combined $1.95 million at an average of $650,000. Earlier in her breeding career, Media Sensation was sold through Lime Country’s draft at Karaka for NZ$425,000 before becoming a Group 1 winner.
“With Media Sensation, they were generous enough to let us pick a foal out of the paddock to take to New Zealand to sell, and at the time, she was the highest priced yearling we had sold and became our first Group 1 winner sold.” Griffin said.
On Display as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Sheamus Mills purchased On Display for $1.1 million, and she has become a stakes winner, and I know Sheamus is excited about what she could achieve.”
An Anamoe filly to be proud of
To produce another well-bred filly from such a consistent mare is exactly what breeders hope for - and Different To has delivered once again.
“The Anamoe filly is all class, a refined, elegant, athletic-looking filly.” Griffin said.
“The Anamoe filly is all class, a refined, elegant, athletic-looking filly.” - Jo Griffin
“I was thrilled for Graham and Linda to get a lovely filly by Anamoe from her.
“She goes to Too Darn Hot this year, she sadly lost her colt that was born last year by him in a paddock accident, but he was an exceptional foal, and off that colt, the mare will go there.”
