News

Shorten the Odds

26th Jun 2015

Breednet - by Tara Madgwick - Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Which sires are more likely to succeed than others? It's a question broodmare owners ask themselves at this time of year as they seek to shorten the odds in their quest to find a first season sire that might one day be a champion sire.

Stallion owners wrestle with the same dilemma when selecting a sire prospect and when US based Spendthrift Australia sought to add an Australian bred stallion to their inaugural roster they stuck to what works.

Sons of Redoute's Choice are clear winners at stud with Snitzel, Stratum and Not a Single Doubt all super successful, while there is also a long list of other sons that have enjoyed varying degrees of success such as Bradbury's Luck, Beneteau, Fast 'n' Famous and even Lucky Unicorn and Duelled, who have each sired Group I winners.

Spendthrift's new acquisition Hampton Court has as good as or better credentials than all of them being a stunning looking, Group I winner with a pedigree to match.

A $500,000 Inglis Easter yearling purchase by renowned international bloodstock agent John Warren, Hampton Court showed immediate ability for Gai Waterhouse with a debut second at two over 1100 metres behind subsequent dual Group I winner Brazen Beau.

He broke his maiden two starts later and was sent to the paddock as a promising juvenile winner with a big spring campaign in mind.

Hampton Court confirmed his potential when he overcame difficulty to score an exciting win in the Listed ATC Dulcify Quality over 1600 metres defeating stakes horses Bachman, Scratch Me Lucky and Thunder Lady.

Just one week later, he went on to score a career defining victory in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes at 2000 metres leaving Group I winner First Seal in his wake as well as Group winners Sweynesse, Valentia and Panzer Division.

In a time honoured Group I contest billed as a match race between First Seal and Sweynesse, Hampton Court stamped his superiority over the fancied pair in no uncertain terms.

He showed a brilliant burst of acceleration to stride clear and win by more than two lengths, breaking the course record to run a blistering 2:00.30.

The speed and class he showed that day are consistent with everything Hampton Court's pedigree and physique said he should be.

Bred by respected Australian breeder John Muir of Milburn Creek Thoroughbreds, Hampton Court is out of the stakes-winning Broken Vow mare Roses 'n' Wine (CAN) and he hails from the female family of Australian Horse of the Year and triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, Inglis Easter sale topper and Group II winner Musket, as well as stakes winners Valkyrie Diva, Wales and La Amistad.

He represents some of the very best bloodlines in the world and is unmistakably stamped in the mould of his legendary sire Redoute's Choice.

"We are thrilled to be able to stand Hampton Court at Spendthrift Australia in our inaugural season," said B. Wayne Hughes, owner of Spendthrift Australia.

"It was important for us to bring in a colonial horse that will be exciting for breeders. He's a record-breaking, Group 1-winning son of sire of sires Redoute's Choice, and we're looking forward to sharing him with the Australian breeders through our Share The Upside Program."

Hampton Court stands at a fee of $11,000 for those participating in the Share The Upside program and for $8,800 on a standard live foal contract in 2015.

Spendthrift plan to shuttle Hampton Court back to Kentucky for the 2016 season making him the first son of Redoute's Choice to stand at stud in North America.

Hampton Court will be at the farm for inspection by the end of this month and for more information contact Garry Cuddy on +61 410 451 595 or by email gcuddy@spendthriftfarm.com