The spring of 2017 - Across the country thousands of soothing hands are helping to bring new life into the world - As each new thoroughbred nose takes its first sniff, every breeder hopes that this is the one, that this is THE horse.
13,110 foals were born in Australia that year. 16 of them were mature enough, fast enough, tough enough to contest the world's biggest test of juvenile class, the $3.5 million Group One Golden Slipper Stakes.
And at the end of the day just one stood alone... Farnan.
October 6, 2017. The racing world is getting ready to watch Winx woo Melbourne racegoers with her 21st consecutive victory, the following day's Turnbull Stakes.
Meanwhile the Street Cry mare Tallow, who had herself enjoyed Flemington limelight with victory in the 2010 Gr.3 Vanity Stakes, was pacing, getting ready to make her next contribution to the track.
2am in the Queensland night at Lucas Bloodstock; just Tallow and Alena Lucas are witnessing the arrival of the horse whose name is now in lights.
He wasn't huge but he was strong. And no-fuss.
"He was up and on the suck in under an hour," Ben Lucas said, noting that "Tallow is such a great, relaxed mum."
It was soon apparent that this was an above average youngster - "a good type who stood out."
And he was clever too - "when he was weaned and halter educated he took it all in his stride, he never missed a beat, never missed a feed."
Farnan was already firmly implanted in the memory of the Lucas family and they were both excited and proud when he so impressively won his Canberra debut in November last year.
Even more so when at start number two, as he outclassed his rivals in the Magic Millions Wyong Classic, he became the first stakes winner wearing the Lucas brand.
And the first Group winner as placed his name of the Gr.2 Silver Slipper Stakes honour roll.
And on Saturday Ben and Alena were full of anticipation...
"The Golden Slipper is our favourite race of the year," Ben said, "and we went into the race thinking that he was a huge chance - so it was very exciting for us."
And there is more to come with jockey Hugh Bowman glowing in his praise of Farnan...
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride some really good horses over my career as everyone knows but I haven’t ridden a better two-year-old."
“Just his mannerisms and his professionalism, that is one thing but his ability is another!"
Adrian Bott agreed - "he’s been quite special. He has proved himself in the lead-ups as very dominant and he was dominant again today."
Whatever happens from here, what ever racing mountains Farnan continues to climb, Ben and Alena Lucas have the satisfaction of having played their part in the Farnan story, one which began at their beautiful Scenic Rim farm.
