The thoroughbred industry is starting to crank-up to something like we are all used to following the various measures that where put in place as a consequence of the Equine Influenza outbreak. While things are by no means entirely back to normal, there are signs to suggest that there is much to look forward to in the months ahead…

A 2-year-old by HALF HENNESSY made a favourable impression at the Horses-In-Training Sale staged on the Gold Coast by the Magic Millions Sales P/L auction house during the last week of November.

Offered by Nolen racing of Benalla, Victoria, the brown gelding from the unraced Maizcay mare Clearer Now was put through the ring as Lot 88 and fetched a final bid of $50,000 from Queensland-based Derry Park.

The son of HALF HENNESSY took part in the first session of breeze-ups and was clocked to run the final 200 metres of the exercise in a time of 10.95 seconds. Notably, the effort was just over 0.20 seconds slower than the fastest time of the morning.

The pedigree of the $50,000 HALF HENNESSY purchase makes for some interesting observations from a couple of perspectives.

From a half-sister to the Group One winners Brewery Boy (by Lorenzaccio) and Lygon Arms (by Bletchingly), the youngster is a paternal grandson of Maizcay, a prominent member of HALF HENNESSY’s female family.

As a consequence, the youngster carries two lines of Donna Nook (GB), the imported broodmare responsible for a plethora of juvenile stakes winners including Catbird, Beans, County, Fitting, Danbird etc.

A 3-year-old son of JEUNE KING PRAWN made an impact during November when winning on two separate occasions at different tracks in Victoria.

Tiger Prawn opened up his winning account by taking a Maiden Plate (1100m) at Traralgon at the beginning of the month, and then proceeded to add a Class 1 (1200m) contest staged at Moe a couple of weeks later.

Tiger Prawn is the fourth living foal produced by the former high-class racemare Flight to Fantasy (by Bluebird-USA), winner of 5 races for the Gai Waterhouse stable including the Group Two AJC Light Fingers Stakes.

Bred by Collingrove Stud and purchased by Dynamic Syndications at the 2006 Magic Millions Premier for $62,500, Tiger Prawn is trained out of the Peter Moody stables at Caulfield and seems to have a very bright future.

Tiger Prawn is believed to be JEUNE KING PRAWN’s first winner from his initial crop bred at Newlands Thoroughbreds, Victoria.

Riverdene Stud has managed to remain free of Equine Influenza so far and it is our aim to keep that record in tact.

As you would be aware we are in the green zone which has many advantages but some disadvantages. Because we are not in a restricted area the DPI will not allow us to vaccinate any of our horses. This will become a problem for us when we try to sell any of our horses at yearling sales or attempt to take our yearlings into racetrack stables to be broken in and educated. Trainers are not allowed to take horses into their stables unless they are vaccinated and sales companies will not allow horses onto their sales complexes unless vaccinated. It will also become a problem if there is an outbreak of EI in our local area.
Racing NSW has vaccinated all the racehorses 2yo and above on their own authority and at their own expense and many yearlings in restricted and buffer zones have been vaccinated by the DPI. Racing NSW are attempting to get permission from the DPI to allow other Thoroughbreds to be vaccinated where it will be necessary to move them to sales etc. This will be done at the owners expense and the vaccine will be purchased from Racing NSW by veterinarians.

As soon as this situation is made available we will be vaccinating all the yearlings on this farm and then the mares and foals if we can obtain sufficient vaccine. The vaccine will help us in our aim to remain free of the disease. We will inform you when the vaccine becomes available and we will endeavor to vaccinate all the horses on the property however if you don’t want your horse vaccinated please let us know.

Everyone associated with Riverdene Stud would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients for their loyal support during a very trying breeding season.

We extend to you our hopes and wishes for a safe and enjoyable festive period, and look forward 2008 when we trust there will be some reward for all our collective hard work.