First Season Covering Sires at NZB May Sale

New Zealand Bloodstock's 2011 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale (2-4 May) will see 36 mares in foal to stallions whose first progeny will be on the ground this spring.

The 2010 breeding season saw a new wave of stallions embark on their stud careers, with some exceptional racehorses with international pedigrees coming to New Zealand shores, and local talent retiring from the track.

Windsor Park Stud has had a hugely successful 2010/2011 season through the deeds of their sires Thorn Park and High Chaparral, and the Stud's 2010 breeding season kicked off on a positive note with the shuttle sire Mastercraftsman well received by breeders.

MASTERCRAFTSMAN (IRE) (Danehill Dancer x Starlight Dreams, by Black Tie Affair) was a champion racehorse on the track. A dual Group 1 winning two-year-old, he won the Curragh Phoenix Stakes and National Stakes, and trained on at three to win the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas and The Royal Ascot St James Palace Stakes. His feats as a two-year-old saw him crowned the Irish and European 2008 Champion 2YO Colt.

The son of Danehill Dancer has served two mares which are being offered in the May Sale including Down View at Lot 589 from Trelawney Stud. From the Gone West mare Fairlight Down, Down View is the dam of the Singapore star and triple Sgp-3 winner Mexican Rose (Volksraad), and is a half-sister to four Group 1 or Group winners.

TAVISTOCK (NZ) (Montjeu x Upstage, by Quest for Fame) was a dual Group 1 winner in New Zealand and a Group 2 winner in Australia, and is now standing at Cambridge Stud. Tavistock - one of six Group 1 winners left by Montjeu during his stud career in New Zealand - has covered five mares in the May Sale catalogue including:

� Lot 502, the Stravinsky mare Wahaha from Te Mania Thoroughbreds, a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Wall Street (Montjeu) and from the family of the Group 1 winner Bezeal Bay (Zabeel).

ROAD TO ROCK (AUS) (Encosta de Lago x Trewornan, by Midyan) is one of the best credentialed sons of Coolmore's champion sire to retire to stud. His wins in the Group 1 George Main Stakes and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes were first class and he promises to be an exciting young sire. He has served six mares in the May Sale and they include:

� Lot 567, the Rock of Gibraltar mare Concinnity from Pencarrow Stud, a half-sister to the stakes placed Left Standing (Stravinsky) and a daughter of the Group 3 winning mare Anatomy (Thunder Gulch), a half-sister to the multiple Group 3 winner Six O'clock News (Zabeel).

SWISS ACE (AUS) (Secret Savings x Rapid Serve, by Carson City) showed he had plenty of ability on the track, going unbeaten as a two-year-old and winning twice at stakes level, including a Group 2 victory at three. His biggest track success came at four when he won the time honoured Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, cementing himself as a leading Australian sprinter. Now retired to Westbury Stud, Swiss Ace has covered five mares in the May Sale including:

� Lot 527, the Honor Grades mare Ballet Honours from Westbury Stud, the dam of the stakes winner and Group 2 placed Alberto (Magic Albert), and a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Lord Majestic (Gaius).

Other young sires that have covered mares in the May Sale are:

• Winner of the prestigious Group 1 AJC Derby, NOM DU JEU (NZ) (Montjeu) (1).
• Two-year-old stakes winning son of Zabeel from a Group 2 winning Centaine mare, SUFFICIENT (NZ) (2).
• Group 1 winner and the world record holder for the 2000 metres on turf, RED GIANT (USA) (Giant's Causeway) (3).
• Stakes winning son of the late Red Ransom, ROC DE CAMBES (NZ) (6).
• Group 1 and Group 3 winning two-year-old son of Kingmambo from a Sadler's Wells mare, THEWAYYOUARE (USA) (2).
• USA stakes winner at ages two, three and four, BUFFALO MAN (CAN) (El Prado) (2).
• Group 2 placed son of Danehill Dancer, SOUTH DAKOTA (IRE) (2).

Amongst the highlights are:

� Lot 490, the Traditionally mare Trance from The Oaks Stud (unreserved), a full-sister to the Champion NZ 2YO Filly Chant, she has been served by Roc de Cambes.

� Lot 485, the stakes winning Pins mare Thimble from Seaton Park, winner of the Listed Otago Breeders Stakes. She has been served by Thewayyouare.

� Lot 561, the Canny Lad mare Chevally from Jojabero Bloodstock, a half-sister to the Group 1 placed Madame Plume (Military Plume). She has three colts on the ground by Dubawi, Bel Esprit and Thorn Park and has been served by Red Giant.

� Lot 674, the Prized mare Mirkola Lass on account of P M Chisholm, a talented racehorse, Mirkola Lass won the Group 2 Waikato Gold Cup and the Listed Spring Classic, and placed in the Wellington Cup twice. She has been served by Buffalo Man.

The 2011 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale will be held at the Karaka Sale Complex from 2-4 May. For a catalogue please contact NZB on 09 298 0055 or reception@nzb.co.nz.