The Corner with Garry Chittick

I have missed a couple of weeks resulting in being chastised by the two regular readers. Occasionally it is difficult to be relevant so what’s the point.

The current week I am presented with a potpourri of subjects. We have the Tattersalls December Sale, the proposed demise of our fellow code, the Greyhounds, our own lead up to our yearling sales, my good fortune in winning a Group race with a daughter of a dual Group 1 winner, if that’s not enough I have poked my nose into the ‘Greenfield Waikato Racing Group’ proposal.

The reputation of the Tattersalls sales company is well-earned over such a long time established in 1766, 258 years, if my maths is on target. This December again we see a collection of racing enthusiasts from all parts of the world dress to cope with the start of winter and sort through 700 horses with the intent to either add to, upgrade, or start their breeding career. Once again, we are astounded when a potential broodmare changes hands for a lazy £4.8 million, not a record, but near enough to $10 million NZ dollars.

Now, think about it, ten live foals would be a great result spread over say fourteen years. Frankel no doubt the stallion of choice – another lazy $700,000 per foal. Should we insure, 3.5 % just another $350,000, even the English banks will pay 3% so another $300,000 so why do we do it? Because the mare in question is a thing of beauty, the desire to be the best in any sport creates an insurmountable challenge. Mares like this give us the opportunity of being the best whilst in the comfort of the armchair if you can afford it.

So, isn’t it great that the Aurets of Marton stepped into the ring with $500 kiwi securing Missy Moo, now the dam of one of the Group 1 sprint winner at The Championships last week in Hong Kong. Shamexpress, the sire of Ka Ying Rising, stands at $8,000. Now, I am not judging either, I just think it’s great that those brave enough to have a go, never know.

The announcement today (Tuesday) that Greyhound racing is to be phased out over the next twenty months will be greeted with mixed emotions. I have had the pleasure of racing only one. Well, it didn’t really race it was a non-performer. In my past life as Chairman of the Racing Board I attended a number of meetings. I enjoyed the night out, those actively involved had the same affection for their animals as we in the Thoroughbred Code. Yes, there are ratbags, but the Code has worked hard recently at eliminating these problems. Clearly there are injuries, however those opponents of the sport need to ask themselves what the future of the breed will be if there is no reason for them to exist. We need to be wary; this may be the thin end of the wedge.

We are now on the sales journey, I say journey as Waikato Stud spreads our numbers. It is impractical to sell our draft of 80 at one venue. This is a big ask of our dedicated crew, however, by mid-March we will be flat tack weaning 200 foals. Our parades have started with over forty visitors already from our main market, Australia. I won’t dwell on the deeds of our previous sales graduates; you are well aware of our results. Thanks to our history of past buyers, we would hope to clear the decks again.

I started the racing season with the same optimism we all share, I reckon my eight three-year-olds have pedigrees that would have seen them all in the premier sales, now I can’t fill this Corner up with the many excuses that I have had to share with the trainers but I finally kicked a goal. Sethito, by Super Seth out of dual Group 1 Winner Suavito, saluted the judge in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes, now I have won probably more than my share of Group races, but, you still can’t beat the winning feeling.

The prospect of a genuine greenfield opportunity in the Waikato intrigues me. At the time of the debate as to where Winston’s largesse should be spent, I was a believer Matamata could have provided the industry the opportunity to create a racing centre of excellence. The land is ideally suited, volcanic ash on top of sand, warm and dry, and plenty of it. Accommodation, the likelihood of home ownership, I believed we should provide single barracks for young trainees. I can understand the feeling that the funds should be spent near where it came from, but this is industry money, we all know racing attendance is disappointing apart from event days, a racing hub on this suitable terroir will attract the disciples, after all Bay of Plenty is adjacent and growing.

My point, think big while you have the opportunity.

Cheers,
G