Colombia moves to Longspring
Monday, May 25, 2009
Successful Sport Horse Stud goes into breeding racehorses
As of May 2009, 12 year old thoroughbred stallion Colombia (Zabeel – Eight Carat by Pieces of Eight) has a new home with Rupert and Anne Vallance at Longspring Stud in the Wairarapa.
The move could prove very timely for the Vallance’s who feel there is a real niche market producing the type of horse NZ made its early reputation on. With the future of jumps/hurdle racing currently under a major cloud in Australia, the calls for staying championships with races contested over 4000m to 5000m could mean a lucrative new market to breed and produce staying type horses – the stuff legends are made of!
Many of the progeny of Colombia are already proving to be good longer distance horses with his winning distance index jumping to 1,603m for the current stallion register. An analysis of his winners however shows how versatile they are – winning at sprints and middle distances as well as the longer races.
To date Colombia progeny have earned over $2 million (NZ & Aust combined) from 53 winners in the 4 crops racing as 4 year olds or older - including 3 stakewinners Valley Chief, Aimee’s Idol and Tiger King. 13 of these winners won at sprint distances of 1200m including Aimee’s Idol who won the Waikato RC Sprint L in 2006.
Colombia's bloodlines
Colombia is by Zabeel out of the top producer Eight Carat which makes him a brother to five Group 1 winners including Octagonal (by Zabeel), 1996 Australian Horse of the Year, Marquise (dam of Gr 1 winner Shower of Roses by Zabeel), Diamond Lover (dam of Gr 1 winner Don Eduardo by Zabeel), Kaapstad, Champion Sire and Mouawad (by Zabeel). Colombia is unraced due to an injury, but there is no arguing about the quality of Colombia’s genetic potential to produce performers at all levels.
Longspring Stud
Longspring Stud, established in 1982, has been NZ’s most successful center for sport horse breeding with such top class horses as Super Moth (NZ Horse of the Year and NZ Showjumper of the Year five times), Duty Free (Norwood Gold Cup), Falcon (Norwood Gold Cup), Danzar LS, Denver, Blondini, and many more at top level in equestrian sport. But that is all about to expand with a major new interest in thoroughbreds bred for racing starting with Colombia this spring.
New winners
Since the deal was signed to stand Colombia at Longspring in late April, progeny of Colombia has posted another 4 wins and 6 good placings from almost as many horses with a win for Tiger King in the Macau Derby Trial L, Moonglow’s fourth win in Hong Kong, and two wins in a row at long odds for Kid Columbus who at 6 is now coming into the spotlight.
Plans are to stand Colombia with a reduced stud fee at $3500 + gst to be competitive given the current climate and intending breeders can either contact the stud or talk directly with owner Norm Hawthorne in Matamata. Discounts will be available for multiple mares from the same owner, repeat visits of existing mares and mares with a good race record.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Rupert, Anne or Victoria Vallance at 06 378 2310 (office) or 06 378 8983 (home) or email rupert@longspring.co.nz . Or contact Norm Hawthorne at 07 888 8887 or fax 07 888 8231.
