Kitchwin Hills will hold Dane Shadow’s 2011 fee at last year’s level. The fast-rising son of Danehill will stay at $16,500 (inc gst)
The Hunter Valley stud, in announcing the new-season service fees, has recognised the tough position of breeders in the current market. Associate sire Duporth has been reduced from $22,000 to $19,800.
Each week Dane Shadow’s rise gathers pace and he is punching well above his weight. Earlier this month, he sired the stakes winners Red Tracer (Listed P.J. Bell Stakes) and Hurtle Myrtle (G2 Sapphire Stakes) within 24 hours of each other at Canterbury and Randwick.
“At the recent yearling sales I had a number of high-profile breeders ask what Dane Shadow’s fee would go up to this year,” Kitchwin Hills manager Michael Malone said. “But despite the strong feedback, we are taking into consideration the uncertainty of the market place.
“The Dane Shadow syndicate’s decision is one of opportunity for all breeders. When you consider his progeny’s success, sales results and his ability to produce a sale type, you would have to think there’s no better value stallion in the country
“Dane Shadow has sired the stakes winners Hurtle Myrtle, Shellscrape, Shadow Assassin, Turnitup, Shadows In The Sun, and Red Tracer in his first two crops and his 2YO crop in 2012 will be larger than the first two seasons combined!”
Duporth’s first foals are now only a few months away and Malone is excited about his prospects. “Sons of Red Ransom are doing a super job and Duporth owns a top-class the pedigree (Staging, Success Express, Excites and Tickets) and performances (Golden Rose, BTC Cup defeating Apache Cat and San Domenico).
“Then you see him up close and you realise you just have to get your mares exposed to him,” Malone added.
It’s also pertinent to repeat what Randwick trainer John O’Shea said about the horse. “When I first spotted Duporth during trackwork at Randwick, he stopped me dead in my tracks. I can only imagine where he is headed as a stallion if he puts this quality into his racing stock.”
Mick Malone can be contacted for further information on 0428 458 065 or 02 6545 8065