Any broodmare owners thinking that they might rest a mare or two in 2007 should now be revising their initial thoughts following the chaotic start to the new breeding season. Even though we soon expect to learn of a compromise to the movement of broodmares and/or some radical decisions to address this problem, the 2008 foal crop is going to be grossly affected with the forces of supply and demand significantly influenced as a direct consequence.

At the time of writing, some of the most commercial stallions made available to domestic broodmare owners on a shuttle basis are firmly locked away in the Eastern Creek quarantine facility with their release date still to be determined.

Depending on a number of different factors, the earliest breeders can expect these stallions to be made available for service is anything around the first few weeks of October.

However, it would be safe to say that this is the best case scenario!

It is more commonly believed that further complications will set this date back even further into the current breeding season and that the books of these stallions will fall away in quantity if not quality to a very dramatic degree.

Thus, demand for other breeds to fill future yearling sale quotas will have to grow proportionately.

If your mare is on Riverdene Stud and has not been booked into a resident stallion, act now! 2007 is looming as a season in which a broodmare capable of producing a healthy foal is not to be left empty.

Unfortunately for those broodmare owners who had identified the great value INDESATCHEL (Ire) offered as a shuttle stallion, the son of Danehill Dancer is among those stallions held-up at Eastern Creek.

Along with the vast majority of the stallions expected to have been in service at Coolmore and Darley in the Hunter Valley at this present time, INDESATCHEL (Ire) is not likely to become available until well in to October… if at all this breeding season.

Though no final decision has been made regarding the use of INDESATCHEL (Ire) this breeding season, we strongly advise those breeders looking to support the stallion to speak with a stud representative about making alternative arrangements.

The last thing we wish to do is risk the long-term commercial value of any breeding stock, whether it be a stallion or a broodmare, and we urge breeders to review their respective situation under the present set of extreme circumstances.

The first of the SEIDNAZAR foals are on the ground and making very favourable impressions.

One of the first to arrive on Riverdene Stud was a filly from Birds Of A Feather bearing a striking resemblance to her paternal grandsire Rory‘s Jester.

Also with impressive looking foals in the paddock is SEIDNAZAR part-owner Mary-Lee Trivett, one the stallion’s biggest supporters in 2006. The Queenslander reported that the first foal by the son of Rory‘s Jester born on her property was in excellent shape and looks a ready-made racehorse.

The first crop of HALF HENNESSY is another Riverdene Stud breed starting to turn heads. Now 2-year-olds, the early-coming offspring of the Group One winning son of Hennessy (USA) is generating positive feedback from breakers and trainers alike.

In a recent feature published by The Sportsman, it was revealed that HALF HENNESSY was the sixth most popular first season sire of 2004 with a total of 120 mares covered. This figure compared very favourably with the likes of domestic champions Exceed And Excel (140) and Lonhro (129), as well as the international champions Hawk Wing (103) and Falbrav (98), not to mention the likes of Lago Delight (89), Clangalang (69) and Court of Jewels (61).

HALF HENNESSY has around 80 first-crop 2-year-olds to represent him in season 2007/08. As a Group One performed 2-year-old from the immediate family of juvenile Group winners Catbird (Golden Slipper), Maizcay, Danbird, Beans, County, Fitting etc, we should not have to wait too long for the stallion’s stock to make an impact.

Indeed, in a market framed on the 2007/08 champion first season sire’s title based on individual winners, HALF HENNESSY is priced as a 25/1 chance. The quote offered on the Riverdene resident represents good value considering the precocious nature of his own race career and bloodlines.