The Corner with Garry Chittick

This is a very emotive time of the year for we tragics who love being part of our Thoroughbred industry. I wonder if industry is a correct description of our sport.

I say emotive because spring is the culmination of twelve months’ input. A large number of our breeders perhaps only have one or two mares, these are fillies they have raced. Their continued faith is not necessarily as a result of race-day success, not necessarily as a result of the bloodlines, but there will be the genuine attachment, love if you like, of their girl.

We have 200 mares, that’s a lot of shared love – if you doubt it and dig into our families you will be surprised at how long our involvement goes back. We are proud of families we have developed over the 50 years of my involvement. In fact, you will be surprised that the spread of our numbers is dominated by a small number of foundation mares.

However, we have a policy of refurbishment, we identify a family we would like to be part of, attempt to purchase a filly or young mare and start the process. Unlike some of the new investors we find it hard to dish out $6 million for a mare, not because they are a bad investment, we just don’t have that sort of wherewithal.

I purchased Bonneval for not a small amount, we have a colt to sell this year but all her fillies to date have been retained. To have the opportunity to build on families like hers is a privilege, and I love her.

So, back to those whose business is not horse breeding, but they love their family (horse) as much as we do. Having decided on a stallion they wait 340 days, give or take to enjoy yet another birth. Thoroughbreds are a finely developed animal; I am constantly amazed at the process that allows those long legs and the head to be aligned. That nature allows the relaxation of the mare’s pelvis enough to allow the wither and chest to follow the head and legs.

It is said 90% would go through this process without human intervention, maybe, but we care enough to constantly keep them observed. Our rule is for three experienced grooms to be in attendance, a lifetime in the game has taught me if assistance is required, better to have it there than scrambling to find someone. When younger, a successful foaling had Mark on the phone sharing the joy, an unsuccessful event and he would immediately pass the buck to me. Not anymore.

We now have a year ahead of preparation of this foal if we intend to sell, but we made our decision on the sire two-and-a-half years before the sale. This may have worked in our favour, may not of.

Not to worry, regardless of best intentions the decision on this yearling’s future will be taken out of our hands, this is very difficult because it’s not necessarily about money, the decision of the sales company is a direct reflection on our judgement, then there are the studs standing these sires who have made an even greater commitment to the industry and are now counselling the hurt feelings.

We accept the sale cannot accommodate all the horses offered. Regretfully with the only option to market the horse in Australia if unhappy, it’s unlikely. Now, this is not a criticism of the local auctioneers, I am sure they believe they know more than the disenchanted vendor. Mind you, had I selected my sires on their advice I would have missed Centaine, Pins, O’Reilly, and definitely Savabeel.

Back to the disappointment of non-selection, there are of course other options such as the Ready to Run, if you can overcome the dented ego you may breed again, if our stallion cops a flogging you actually find it very difficult to overcome. If you are on the selection panel, remember you are simply auctioneers.

The next few years are going to be interesting with a dearth of new stallions. We have been wracking our brains seeking a sire prospect, we have to be as careful as we can to do the best we can, we don’t want to damage 50 years of input.

We cannot just dive into current fashion. Ngiao Amon, a stockman, bred a couple Filly of the Year fillies over three years then, in his words, buggered them by attempting to breed money, a common mistake. He said to me 40 years ago, breed the horse you want to breed and the money will come. Perhaps I’d better get a sales company to select our next boy.

Cheers,
G