100 In The (River)Bank

Breednet - Wednesday October 5

And they say fairytales don’t come true.

Riverbank Farm’s Russell Osborne has been running his boutique property – a stone’s throw from Victoria’s Benalla Racecourse – for much of his adult life and, aside from developing said property, he stands seven stallions, agists a whole bunch of broodmares and racehorses, foals down, trains a small team at yonder track and, along with veterinary surgeon wife, Caroline, raises his kids.

Russell and Caroline Osborne

Rumour has it, in the five minutes he gets to himself when the sun goes down, he doesn’t mind a beer.

Not surprisingly, he did have one or three (it’s a short walk home!) after saddling up his 100th winner as a trainer after Noble Nightowl won his fourth race on Benalla Gold Cup day last month. And, just to make it interesting, Noble Nightowl is among 100 individual winners for his sire Redente.

Not only does Russell train the nifty 4YO, he stands the sire, bred the horse and races Noble Nightowl with Caroline. So, as you can imagine, the #100 milestone is not something he’ll forget in a hurry.

However, like so many of his peers, Russell didn’t exactly spend a great deal of time lapping up the limelight … it’s right in the midst of breeding season and, apart from sleepless/short nights that go with the territory in spring, there’s the not insignificant task of taking care of business for seven stallions.

The aforementioned Redente, an impeccably bred son of Redoute’s Choice, is producing the winners at a steady rate – and not just Russell’s – with Sylvia Thompson’s Brenlyn’s Trooper running a lip second in the Listed Creswick at Flemington and winning three, while city winners include Just Stellar, Beautiful Bee and Redentes Edge.

Redente

Redente stands at $3,300 in 2022 as does the Champion 3YO and prolific, Anacheeva (Group winner Ana Royale etc.) and the truly versatile Commands stallion Skilled (Fiscal Fantasy, Pecans etc.).

Advertisement

Of course, Von Costa De Hero is incredible value at $2,200 (especially as the sire of multiple stakes winners) and the Osbornes are planning early retirement when third season sire Prince of Caviar ($4,400) starts producing types just like his mum, Black Caviar.

Speaking of racing ‘immortals’, Boulder City ($5,500) is a ½ brother to Winx and the only son of Champion Sire Snitzel standing in Victoria at under $10k. Impressively fertile, Boulder City has already had success with his first crop runners in Victoria and Singapore this season including Pacific Star, Tomboulder etc.

Last but not least – although at $2,000 it’s probably the least you’ll pay to access a quality stallion – is the High Chaparral entire, Wayed Zain.

Wayed Zain has had just the six runners to date but they include Jerome Hunter’s promising Rockin’ Zain – an easy winner at Ballarat in September – along with last week’s Geelong winner Gargantuan, who was having just his second start and won very well.

It’s all shaping up to be a VERY promising year for the Osborne clan.

For further information on any of the Riverbank stallions, phone Russell Osborne on 0423 768 155.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.