Independent Stallions studmaster Mike Becker has announced resident sires US Ranger, Kempinsky and Helenus will be relocated for the 2010 breeding season.  Independent Stallions was based on 220 acres at Nagambie but a sale of the property is pending for a reported $2.5 million.

Kentucky newcomer US Ranger and Kempinsky will transfer to Rangal Park while Helenus will join the Woodside Park roster.  

“Real Estate in Euroa and Nagambie is very expensive,” Becker said on Wednesday.  “We’re right on the Goulburn River and setting up a similar stud in this area would be just too costly.”

Rangal Park owner Eric Buttler has vacancies on his Euroa roster to accommodate US Ranger and Kempinsky.  His Danehill sire Danerich has struck a chord with breeders averaging 110 mares in his first three seasons.  And evergreen sire Keltrice, although rising 20, continues to sire winners at a remarkable 70% strike-rate.

In contrast, Rangal Park’s Nureyev horse Ne Coupez Pas has encountered fertility problems and he will not be promoted on a commercial basis this year.  

US Ranger (USA) was unbeaten in three races in France as a juvenile and trained on to be beaten a head by Marchant D’Or in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket.  He is one of the last sons of legendary sire Danzig to retire to stud and has just completed his first northern book at Pauls Mill Stud in Kentucky.

Kempinsky (Danehill – Tristalove by Sir Tristram) is bred in the purple and was a G2 winner of the AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley for a partnership that included Walter Alteri and Sir Patrick Hogan.  There have been a dozen winners from his first crop to date and, like his close relations Viking Ruler and Don Eduardo, is making commendable headway in the sire department.  

Victoria Derby winner Helenus will join Econsul and Grey Swallow at Woodside Park.  He retired to stand in Western Australia but syndicate manager Trevor Delroy repatriated the former champion colt when his stock struggled on the hard tracks in Perth.

Delroy races the very promising Helenus gallopers Cedarberg and Ulundi with Mornington trainer Pat Carey.

Cedarberg (3g Helenus – Infrared by Spectrum) won at his home track on debut and three starts later was pitched in at the deep end of the G1 AJC Australian Derby.  He led them up at Randwick and fought back bravely despite being stripped during the race.  Cedarberg is definitely one to follow next season.

Ulundi (2c Helenus – Willow by Woodman) was a good thing beaten second-up at Sale on June 19 and then buttered up with an eye-catching effort at Flemington seven days later.

In a race that could stack up come the spring carnival, Ulundi was last on the turn but flew home in heavy going at headquarters.  He was beaten a length and change by Peter Moody’s unbeaten youngster Servant (Commands) and stablemate Riptide (Exceed And Excel).

Despite Independent Stallions disbanding, Becker will continue to manage the three stallions for their respective syndicates and will remain the focal point for marketing and bookings for broodmare owners.

Becker will also continue to stand Brief Truce and Arazi in 2010 while Italian shuttler Denon will return to Australia in 2011.