He might be a 21 year-old stallion but Ihtiram is still stopping mares like a bull half his age.
Ihtiram (Ire) found fame as the sire of Australian Horse of the Year Miss Andretti and he can grab another Group 1 with Ihtsahymn in the Kingston Town Stakes (1800m) at Ascot this Saturday.
Ihtsahymn (3g Ihtiram – Umatune by Umatilla) is coming off a Group 2 victory in the WA Guineas (1600m) and has been installed a $4.20 second favourite behind Luckygray ($2.50) despite taking on older horses at weight-for-age.
Jurien Bay studmaster Peter Smith stands Ihtiram for a $1,100 (inc gst) service fee.
“Every one of his mares is in foal this season and we are still taking late bookings,” Smith said. “We’re only two hours north of Perth on the Indian Ocean Highway.”
Smith manages Bruce Branson’s cattle properties between Eneabba and the coast. His previous stallion Czardas (Realisateur) died after covering a handful of mares last year.
“Ihtiram had been standing with Don Hammarquist at Walkaway,” he said. “Don sent him here this year and all his mares are in foal, too.”
Ihtiram (Royal Academy) is a half-brother to Balestrini (Danehill), Hemingway (Spectrum) and Second Empire (Fairy King) who have all seen active service in Australia.
He was a Listed winner of the Steventon Stakes at Newbury before owner-breeder Sheikh Hamdan sent him out to Lindsay Park to win a Benalla Cup in addition to four staying events at Caulfield and Cheltenham.
Sunspeed breeder Ray Cochrane bought Ihtiram to stand at Wayandah Stud in Capel and champion sprinter Miss Andretti came along in his second crop.
After Cochrane passed away, Ihtiram transferred to Oakland Park where he sired Ihtsahymn before further moves to Walkaway and Jurien Bay.
Ihtsahymn will receive 5kg from his older rivals on Saturday and that weight advantage has helped Playing God (2010), Megatic (2007), Old Nick (1998), Summer Beau (1996) and Importune (1984) complete the WA Guineas – Kingston Town double.
Broodmare owners can contact Peter Smith on 0458 180 359.
– Karl Patterson