There is nothing more exciting than having the opportunity to announce the purchase of a new stallion for the stud and we have great pleasure in revealing our latest addition to the Riverdene Stud roster.

As this newsletter and accompanying material will reveal, Riverdene Stud has successfully negotiated the purchase of ENEMY OF AVERAGE (Ch. 2003, Fusaichi Pegasus-Patrona, by Lomond), a stakes winning son of Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) and half-brother to the sire sensation Exceed And Excel.

A quality individual that brought $800,000 as a yearling, background information regarding ENEMY OF AVERAGE has been supplied with the colour flyer included in this package.

A very well credentialed individual with race performance, physical presence, an immensely commercial pedigree and from a thriving sireline, ENEMY OF AVERAGE is, first and foremost, a half-brother to one of the most exciting young stallions the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry has ever seen.

In a recent article published in New Zealand’s weekly racing guide The Informant, the start Exceed And Excel has made with his first runners was appraised and makes for some very interesting reading in light of our new acquisition.

The article read…

“If industry players still needed to be convinced about the potential Exceed And Excel offered following the impressive spring racing exploits of his first crop 2-year-olds, then last weekend’s results in the two versions of the Blue Diamond Prelude must have put any reservations to rest.

“After the running of one division for the colts and geldings, and another for the fillies, Exceed And Excel had not only supplied the winner of each, but remarkably the quinella in both.

“Not surprisingly, the Australian breeding and racing industry is now attempting to quantify just exactly what it has on its hands in Darley’s exceptionally special sire-son of Danehill (USA) who has taken this season’s juvenile ranks by storm.

“Comparisons to his numerous paternal half-brothers already at stud abound, with even parallels with Redoute‘s Choice being drawn.

“So, how do the achievements of Exceed And Excel so early into his stud career match up to those of Redoute’s Choice, Australia’s most valuable stallion.

“After being represented by just 13 runners to date, Exceed And Excel is now already the sire of four individual 2-year-old stakes winners of five individual stakes races.

“Redoute’s Choice’s first full season of representation in 2003-04 witnessed the Arrowfield phenomenon sire just two stakes winners among seven individuals that saluted the judge from as many as 31 runners.

“Of Exceed And Excel’s four stakes winners thus far, three --- Exceedingly Good, Wilander and Believe N’ Succeed --- are already Group winners, with the trio also heading the market for the Group 1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes on February 23.

“On the other hand, Redoute’s Choice’s brace of 2-year-old stakes winners that first season where Not A Single Doubt (AJC Canonbury S.-LR) and Tahni Girl (VRC Australian Cup Carnival S.-LR), which both earned their black-type status by winning in Listed Race company only.”

Finally, the article concluded:

“When one also throws in the fact that Redoute’s Choice (100) and Exceed And Excel (106) enjoyed virtually the same number of foals after their first season of duty, it seems fair to suggest that there is something brewing in the 2007/08 2-year-old division the like of which has rarely been seen before.”

Resident stallion ZARIZ is making a particularly good fist of things as a sire and continues to kick goals in all forms of thoroughbred competition around Australia.

In recent weeks, ZARIZ has supplied metropolitan winners in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, with Lazer Sharp (Moonee Valley), Zarvista (Randwick) and Zaarzorro (Morphettville) all flying the flag.

For the record, Zarvista is now the winner of six of his 11 career starts for over $70,000 in stakes. Both Lazer Sharp and Zaazorro have won five races each, with the former having earned $597,750 in prizemoney and the latter $44,970.

Similarly prolific, Rikkizar has been a top moneyspinner of his connections, winning five races and over $80,000 in stakes.

ZARIZ’s other recent winners include Zar Dancer (Mowbray), Edward Bear (Eagle Farm), Kooloora (Darwin) and Designing Woman (Canberra), giving the Riverdene Stud resident successful progeny in just about every State and Territory of Australia of late.

Details of Riverdene Stud’s draft for the 2008 Inglis Easter Classic Sale can be found at the top of the page, with the stud set to present an attractive group of young horses.

Six of the 11 members of our draft are by resident stallions HALF HENNESSY and ZARIZ, with the remaining contingent offspring of Hold That Tiger (USA), Belong To Me (USA), Commands, Lion Heart (USA) and Dubleo (USA).

As usual, we will be available to all visitors and look forward to discussing the 2008 breeding season.