We are delighted to announce that Riverdene Stud has secured Group 1 winning sprinter Bon Hoffa for stud duties.

One of the most charismatic gallopers seen in competition during the past couple of Melbourne racing seasons, Bon Hoffa won no fewer than nine races and placed on another three occasions, netting over $700,000 in prizemoney for his syndicate of owners.

The undoubted highlight of a highly prominent racing career came in September 2007 when Bon Hoffa won the Group 1 MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) by almost a clear length.

One of the most prestigious open handicaps of each and every Melbourne Spring Carnival, Bon Hoffa started the contest as the 7/2 favourite of a 13 horse field and subsequently defeated the likes of Niconero (2nd), Wonderful World (3rd), Divine Madonna (5th), Orange County (9th), Anamato (12th) and Undue (15th) — all winners in Group 1 company.

Three-times triumphant in Group company, Bon Hoffa also won consecutive renewals of the Group 3 VRC Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) down the straight-six furlongs of Flemington racecourse.

On the second occasion, Bon Hoffa was timed to run the distance in an impressive 1m09.85s, with the final 600-metre sectional of the race being a phenomenal 33.3 seconds.

The merit of his two Bobbie Lewis wins is put in to context when one considers that he defeated Flemington straight-six specialists Swick and Grand Duels in 2007 and 2008 respectively, with the likes of Let Go Thommo, Any Suggestion, Tesbury Jack, Publishing, Sharkbite, Stickpin, Friday Creek etc, in their wake.

Bon Hoffa is one of 10 international Group 1 winners sired by Belong To Me (USA), a strapping son of Danzig formerly employed on a dual hemisphere basis by Widden Stud.

Bon Hoffa was originally purchased by leading Australian syndicator Ken King. In summing up his memorable association with the horse, King said: “Bon Hoffa was an exceptionally athletic type as a yearling who developed in to a sound, powerhouse sprinter that raced right up to his sixth year without any injury setbacks.

“His barnstorming finishes became his trademark, making him one of the most exciting and loved racehorses in Victoria."

PEDIGREE OF THE MONTH: Bon Hoffa

BON HOFFA is a representative of the Danzig sireline through the highly successful shuttle stallion Belong To Me (USA). During his visits to Widden Stud, Belong To Me sired a number of very prominent stakes winners, BON HOFFA the best of a fine group. Other notable black-type horses for Belong To Me in Australia include VRC Emirates Stakes (G1) winner All Silent; AJC The Galaxy (G1) winner Proprietor; VRC Oaks (G1) winner Bulla Borghese; AJC Sapphire Stakes (G2) winner Belong To Many; and, MVRC Champagne Stakes (G2) winner Before Too Long.

In fact, the 2-year-old stakes winner and 3-year-old Group winner Before Too Long is a full-sister to Bon Hoffa, these two outstanding sprinters both being produced by the imported mare Asian Reef (GB). Of 10 foals from Asian Reef (GB) to have raced, seven are winners and three of those are black-type winners. Her 1997 filly foal by Barathea (Ire) raced as Okanui and won on six occasions, including the prestigious STC Triscay Quality (LR).

Bon Hoffa’s extended family is a combination of exceptional race performers and producers in both North America and Europe. The pedigree boasts individual winners of the Aqueduct Ladies Handicap (G1), Belmont Matron Stakes (G1) and Monmouth Sorority Stakes (G1), three of the most coveted distaff events on the US racing circuit.

With a pedigree heavily influenced by two strains of the Northern Dancer sireline through Danzig and Lyphard, as well as the acclaimed UK sprinting source Habitat, Bon Hoffa will suit a vast range of domestic broodmares.