What a stunning season it has been for Armidale Stud's exciting up-and-comer Needs Further; his outstanding daughter Mystic Journey the talk of the country on the back of her Australian Guineas and All Star Mile victories - so impressive that she is early favourite for the Cox Plate.
There is no doubting that Mystic Journey is her sire's star but he is
far from being a one horse sire with his progeny already winning 42 races this
season; 21 since the start of the year. And what an especially great day last
Sunday was!
Three winners (and oh so close to a quartet) and a trifecta at the Launceston
meeting. Quite the achievement, especially for a young stallion whose oldest
progeny are only four.
Kicking off Needs Further's memorable day was the promising Buzzered who landed
a much deserved two length maiden victory on the back of consistent form, her
trainer Cameron Thompson noting that "she has shown me more ability than
I've seen from any other horse in the stable."
Runner up in that 1400m contest was the progressive Full Knots Ahead, third the
reliable Oh So Needy. Not only one, two, three for Needs Further but also for
Armidale, breeders of all three horses!
A sister to Buzzered (and also to the Tasmanian Magic Millions 3Y0
Classic winner Jubilance), the exciting two-year-old Deroche was Needs
Further's second winner for the day; the Barry Campbell trained filly as an
odds-on favourite dominant winning her third race from just five starts.
She was part of a black type quinella for Needs Further back in mid-February;
finishing a gallant second to Mystical Journey's unbeaten 3/4 sister Mystical
Pursuit in the Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes.
Recording the fifth success of her 15 start career was Deroche's
stablemate Enzian who proved too strong for her rivals in a 1200m BM64 contest
- capping off Needs Further's great day; one which saw him go close to four
winners with the lightly raced and promising three-year-old Diesel Dan only
just missing out in a tight finish to the 1600m Class 1.
A stallion whose regal pedigree is supported by high class ability,
Needs Further is one of his champion sire Encosta de Lago's 115 stakes winners
and one of his 12 sons to have already sired stakes winners.
Raced by his renowned
breeders Gooree Park, Needs Further - on the back of a runaway trial victory -
was a hot odds-on favourite at his Randwick debut at two, finishing a gallant
third having worked hard off a slow start.
Given time to mature, he was back in action with a six length maiden
victory at Kembla Grange, at his next outing quickly up in class with a
Kensington success and at just his fourth outing giving a big kick in the run
home to claim a feature race victory in the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes.
Considered a leading Doncaster prospect by champion trainer Gai
Waterhouse, Needs Further was unfortunately prematurely retired with a niggling
joint issue - but the racetrack loss has been Tasmania's gain!
Such has been Needs Further's early success that his service fee
increases this spring to $13,750; still great value as the sire of the
country's most promising horse!
And they don't come much better bred than Needs Further, the
half-brother to the dual Group One winner Hallowed Crown being a son of the
Group Three winning Golden Slipper runner-up Crowned Glory whose dam is a
half-sister to super star stallion Zabeel.
This a family that
has been producing topliners for generations, its other members including the
big race winners Detroit (Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe), Carnegie (Prix de l'Arc
de Triomphe), Baryshnikov (like Zabeel and Mystic Journey, winner of the Australian
Guineas) and Durtal (Cheveley Park Stakes).
Armidale's David Whishaw is keen to attract more interstate breeders to
Needs Further, noting that "we have the perfect climate and some of the
best pastures in Australia for rearing thoroughbreds."
"I am certain this is the key to us producing strong boned, tough
racehorses. We have seen the likes of Mystic Journey, Hellova Street, Like A
Carousel, Lady Lynette, Pateena Arena and Mystical Pursuit all come off the
farm in recent times."
"Over the last couple of years an increasing number of mainland
breeders are realising just how accessible and realistically priced our
stallions are and I expect this recognition will continue to grow."
"Our service, agistment and veterinary fees are also great value
whilst our great pastures and climate all add up to make Tassie a very
attractive and affordable option."
Armidale Stud offers one way paid travel from Victoria for mares
visiting both Needs Further and Alpine Eagle whilst agistment rates are a
competitive $14.30 for dry mares, $15.40 for mares in foal and $19.80 for mare
and foal.
For further information on Needs Further who stands alongside Alpine Eagle and
Tough Speed contact David Whishaw on 0407 868 269 or Robyn Whishaw on 0419 100
634.
http://armidalestud.com.au/
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