Statistics compiled by Riverdene Stud’s veterinary staff establish beyond any reasonable doubt that the benefits of putting maiden and dry mares under lights in the crucial weeks leading up to the covering period fully justifies the associated costs.

Empty and maiden mares need to be put under lights in the first two weeks of July to ensure the desired result from this hugely successful procedure.

We strongly recommend that you make arrangements to get your empty and maiden mares visiting Riverdene Stud stallions on to the property before the end of the month.

We encourage you to contact stud representative David Keegan on 0417 378 591 if you are in need of any further details.

The stud reputation of Exceed And Excel is mounting and there is no doubt the boom stallion’s first season success is rubbing off on our newcomer for 2008, the juvenile stakes winning half-brother ENEMY OF AVERAGE.

With Exceed And Excel celebrating winner after winner in the domestic juvenile ranks, the enquiry rate to ENEMY OF AVERAGE has surpassed our expectations and that experienced by any newly acquired Riverdene Stud stallion in the past.

Only a small number of shares remain in ENEMY OF AVERAGE, following the decision made by both the stud and the horse‘s previous owners, the Perrin brothers, to retain a major stake.

Any breeders interested in taking a small percentage of this exciting stud prospect are advised to act without any unnecessary delay to avoid disappointment.

For the record, Exceed And Excel is now the sire of 11 individual 2-year-old winners, of which five are stakes winners of six black-type events.

The progeny of ZARIZ continue to win a better calibre of race, with the the victory of Absolutely Me in a $27,000 event at Hawkesbury proof positive of this fact.

On the Third Season Sire standings for 2007/08, ZARIZ is accredited with progeny earnings of over $660,000, placing him just out of the top-10 for the category.

So far this season, ZARIZ has been represented by 67 runners for 24 individual winners.

Most notable performers for ZARIZ in recent weeks include the likes of Zarvista (Sydney), Zaazorro (Adelaide) and Zar Dancer, etc.

Pedigree of the Month: ABSOLUTELY ME

Hawkesbury winner Absolutely Me won the lion’s share of a $27,000 purse when winning the Tina’s Joy Handicap over 1500 metres. This 3-year-old filly is yet another member of the ZARIZ breed to win a handy race, following in the path of Lazer Sharp, Zarvista, Rikkizar etc.

Arguably, the most interesting aspect of her pedigree is the fact that she is bred 4 x 4 to Northern Dancer through Storm Bird and Rassendyll (USA), the former stallion proving to be a great servant for the Baxter family of Macquarie Stud, Wellington, during the eighties.

Northern Dancer also appears in Absolutely Me’s sixth remove, with the dam of Zariz being a daughter of Tolomeo (Ire), himself a representative of the Lyphard branch of the very same sireline.

Possibly more relevant to Riverdene Stud clients is the fact that both Sir Tristram and Vain appear in the female lines of this good winner for Zariz. This being the case, owners of Marwina mares can replicate this successful pattern as the Marscay stallion is a maternal grandson of Vain and carries Round Table, damsire of the Sir Tristram.