"There's no-one else, just us three" Jenny said, our daughter Lexi is part of the family business but that's what we are – just a family business with no outside clients"
"Mario's family have been farming on the property since the 80s and following a trip to New Zealand in 2005, we decided to "have a real go" at commercial breeding from the property".
"We were on holiday in NZ with Lexi and made that decision after touring Cambridge Stud and attending the May broodmare sales at Karaka" Jenny recalls.
"Starting small, we pin-hooked three fillies that went to the (then) Inglis Autumn Sale. Following good success from that sale, we decided to continue along this path".
With a bit of (ongoing) in-house family banter as to the merits of commercial breeding versus trading livestock, the Cesniks have continued to invest in some high-quality mares in foal.
"We obviously have to try and make the business pay for itself and put our faith in each other and our decision making so we have to try and buy the right mares at the right price"
"We both have our background in the thoroughbred industry and breed our horses in a natural way on good quality undulating country and let them develop naturally in big open paddocks"
"We have always had good success in Adelaide and many of our better horses have gone through this sale so we are looking forward to tomorrow as we have some very nice yearlings this year".
Riverina Downs are offering five lots on Day One of the Magic Millions Adelaide Sales on Tuesday.
Lot 34, Colt by Shamus Award x Lady Mary.
Super VOBIS and BOBS eligible, out of a stakes placed daughter of Dane Shadow.
Lot 61. Filly by Dawn Approach (Ire) x Miombo.
BOBS eligible. The third foal of a mare by Commands who's one runner to date is a three time winner and is a half-sister to dual stakes winner and Group One placed Beaver, from the family of top flight sprinters County, Beans, Dieu D'Or, Maizcay, Fitting and Catbird.
Lot 80. Filly by Artie Schiller (USA) x Oberne Rose.
BOBS eligible. A grand-daughter of top class staying fully Tributes, winner of the Group One VRC Oaks, Geelong Oaks Trial (LR) and second in the Group One Australian Oaks.
Lot 145. Filly by Fighting Sun x Southern Smile.
Super VOBIS nominated and VOBIS Sires eligible. The second foal of a Canny Lad mare, half-sister to stakes winner At Ease. Her first foal is a winner.
Lot 250. Colt by Street Boss (USA) x Bravoure.
Super VOBIS nominated and VOBIS Sires eligible. Out of a winning daughter of Falbrav, and half-sister to multiple South African stakes winners Eight Street and Ottimo. From the same family as Japanese Group Two winner and Group One placed Meisho Beluga.
Some of the successes bred at Riverina Downs over the past ten years include (with relations in the Adelaide MM Yearling Sale lot numbers):
Artstrum - (Strum Cha x Artie Schiller) 3rd SAJC Breeders' S (GR 3), Magic Millions Adelaide Graduate. Half Sister at Adelaide MM sale is Lot 424.
Red Devil ( Southern Smile x Written Tycoon) 15 Starts, 3 Wins, $70K and MM Adelaide graduate. Half Sister at Adelaide is Lot 145.
Prince Ziggy (Miss Cutie x Monaco Consul) 35 Starts, 7 Wins, $242k Prizemoney and Almerheri (Miss Cutie x Al Maher) Winner in Randwick very current (half-sister is Lot 383).
Ginger Ninga, Land Of Freedom, Shintaro, Penthouse Poet and Benny Goes Bezerk. Half-sister at MM Adelaide is Lot 61.
Plus All I Survey - (Duchess Drive - Domesday) 25 Starts, 3 Wins, $166K Prize Money
