The announcement of service fees for the 2009 will be a sensitive issue for most broodmare owners under the present economic climate. Comparing prices between one ‘outlet’ to another is just as important in the thoroughbred game as it is any other form of business…

The retirement of Murtajill by Patinack Farm for the 2009 breeding season provides us with a good opportunity to point out the value BON HOFFA offers in his first season at Riverdene Stud.

In the photograph directly above, BON HOFFA is illustrated winning the 2007 MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at the expense of some very smart gallopers. Murtajill (immediate right) among them!

Murtajill actually finished fourth to BON HOFFA on that occasion, beaten just under two lengths when in receipt of 2kgs. He was subsequently placed in a host of other major stakes contests, but never managed to win in Group 1 company.

Murtajill recently joined the Patinack Farm stallion roster for this coming season and is to debut at a fee of $22,000 (inc. 10% GST).

Of course, BON HOFFA is also set to cover his first broodmares this season, but he is available for just $8,800 (inc. 10% GST).

Without attempting to isolate Patinack Farm, who are going from strength-to-strength both on and off the racetrack, there is another stallion on the stud’s roster worth comparing with BON HOFFA.

In BON HOFFA’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes success pictured above, he also defeated Wonderful World (immediate left).

The Group 1 winning Wonderful World stands his second stud season in 2009 after getting his career underway last year. His service fee for the new season ahead is advertised at $16,500 (inc. 10% GST), down from $22,000 (inc. 10% GST) in 2008.

There are other examples to illustrate the value of BON HOFFA’s introductory service fee. Suffice to say, that the form and related service fee of this Group 1 winning sprinter holds-up under the closest of scrutiny.

As a grandson of Danzig (just as the aforementioned Wonderful World) from a highly decorated international family, we are convinced that BON HOFFA represents outstanding value.

The evergreen MARWINA is just three winners away from another season during which this wonderful servant to Riverdene Stud has achieved a ‘half-century’.

The month of May saw the ever-consistent son of Marscay prove as prolific as ever, with winners up and down the eastern seaboard, as well as in Alice Springs.

It is worth pointing out that MARWINA is only 20 winners or less away from registering the 300th individual winner of his distinguished stud career. This tally establishes him as champion sire Marscay’s most successful sire-son.

HALF HENNESSY is among a select number of stallions to have been responsible for a double-figure number of BOBS bonuses during the course of the current racing season.

Statistics available on the Racing NSW’s website reveal that 2008/09 runners by HALF HENNESSY have generated 11 bonuses amounting to close on $50,000.

Accredited with the best return up to this stage of the current season is Poker Pro, winner of three bonuses of $11,250 in total value. Other runners for HALF HENNESSY to feature this season are Lavished and Hangover Henry.