The Corner with Garry Chittick

A couple of years ago, I hosted a number of friends and family at a local restaurant to enjoy my 80th birthday. It seems like yesterday, we had a great time with numerous testimonials, both serious and humorous. I am astounded at how the past two years have added to my CV in what seems like a flash. I can only believe my involvement in Thoroughbred Racing has provided all one could wish for as one ages. The launching of a new stallion, the spring with newborn foals daily, a day at the races, win, lose or draw. Most importantly, the people. What a cross-section of people to share our love of our involvement with the most wonderful animal, the horse. 

My 82^nd birthday was not a similar event, after 11:30 our house dog decided a need to go outside, the ten paces to the front door I have traversed many times. Dark it may have been, but not pitch black, a disturbed Mary woke to find me just recovering from being knocked out and suffering a severe concussion. Enough to shock anyone, but nothing compared to the blood, which required 21 stitches to stop. 111 provided prompt support, delivering me to Waikato Hospital for eight days. 

Now, I have absolutely no recollection of a fall. I won’t go through all the pros and cons, except to say you can see turning 80 was a lot easier than two years later. I no doubt have some time before full recovery, but once again, the support of our fellow travellers of all ages has confirmed that age is no barrier to friendship in the Thoroughbred world.

Age is, of course, Savabeel’s position in our band of stallions. What a privilege it has been sharing his career and achievements. Those shareholders who choose to breed to him have enjoyed his success, and why wouldn’t another filly be on their must-have list. Mary and I share 15 mares; those not by Savabeel will visit him again. Now I know you are doing the maths, mated September, foal 2027, three-year-old, I’ll be 86. We have a handful in the meantime, so whilst at our age you don’t really want the years to gallop by, our hopes and aspirations for our racing team will skip through the time.

Savabeel was, of course, an enormous punt; $10 million now is a lot of money, $10 million in 2005 was a great deal more. We heard on the grapevine that his Australian Sydication was imminent. My first call to Rogie was okay, the same night, two hours later we had agreed to purchase at $10 million. We settled as promised immediately and found Graeme straightforward to deal with. Our intention was to retain 50% ownership, leaving 25 shares to be placed. The acceptance of the so-called ‘colonial breds’ was still marginal, however, Mark rounded up likely shareholders within 48 hours, and he was done and dusted.

The subsequent years have flown, he currently sits on 159 stakes winners, seven behind his illustrious sire, 36 Group 1 winners. Will he reach the desired number to knock off Zabeel, who knows. I was 61 when he arrived. What a way to share the years.

The swing to colonial-bred sires was slow, then took off to where their price range is of international standing. Centaine was our first, his measly 42 first-crop foals produced 13 two-year-old winners, followed by a staggering nine stakes winners, check that out, 22%. He continued to make his mark, but never again a crop like that. You must remember these racehorses were out of very average mares. Centaine’s success encouraged the further use of colonial breds, Danasinga, not a failure, but when offered his original purchase price we let him go. Pins, what a success, plain tough horses good enough to produce 95 stakes winners, O’Reilly good enough to command a service fee of $60k with 15 Group 1 winners among 100 stakes winners; Super Seth four Group 1 winners already; Ardrossan, well on the way to make his mark.

The problem is, as I have alluded to in past Corners, annually there are limited numbers available, hence the market price.

In my 51 years, the swing to the local horses is undoubtedly the most significant change I have seen.

One of the more puzzling aspects is the moderate results of the very good dirt-track winners that have been given the opportunity. I was part of a syndicate that stood Canadian Queen’s Plate winner Sound Reason; he was above average, just.

I have learnt that the years have taught me I know little, but I am confident our results prove one’s instinct and common sense will take you along the right path.

Good luck to my two readers; there is little more I can offer. 

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