Canberra breeder Manny Notaras was impressed by Adam Sangster’s personalised approach when he was introduced to the Swettenham Stud owner a couple of years ago.

Sangster was on a meet-and-greet visit to the national capital and what struck Notaras was seeing a stud principal on the road promoting his stallions.

“Neil Osborne from Mane Lodge organized dinner at a Canberra restaurant and Adam went out of his way to see us and sell Swettenham,” Notaras explained.  “That sort of thing doesn’t happen in the Hunter Valley.”

Manny is a salesman of a different kind having spent a lifetime in retail before branching out into property management.  “We sat down over dinner and discussed a deal that works both ways.  Adam has assembled a tremendous roster of stallions and he sharpens the pencil whenever possible.”

Notaras travelled down for the stud’s open day with his wife Jenny and good friends Burl and Philippa Doble.  “We’re sending five mares to Swettenham stallions this year,” he said.  “And the drive from Canberra to Nagambie is actually easier than it is to the Hunter Valley.”

The mares he has sent to Swettenham stallions this year include:

CHRYSOPELIA (Rhythm) scored twice locally and was placed twice at Canterbury for Notaras and Canberra based trainer John Nisbet.  Her second-dam Regal Exception (Ribot) was an Irish Oaks winner.  “I’m sending her to Equiano – it should be a nice blend of speed and stamina.  I hadn’t seen Equiano in the flesh and was very impressed when he paraded.”

HEMITHEA (Filante) has been covered by Master Of Design.  Her only foal to date is a 3yo colt named Basilus (Denon) and he has been placed twice in two starts.

LE BILLET DOUX (Danzero) won four races around the Victorian provincials and Notaras bought her at the 2012 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.  She was sold in foal to Excellent Art and duly delivered a filly by the Coolmore shuttler last October.  She is expecting to Host (Chi) and will be bred back to him.

AMARYNTHIA (Song of Tara) has just foaled a filly by Bianconi and going to Master of Design.  Her first winner arrived at Ballarat in June when Abraxas (Dubai Destination) scored by four lengths.  The gelding is trained by David Hayes for a syndicate that includes Manny and his wife Jenny.

BANG GOES LANG (Langfuhr) won three races in Adelaide and earned black-type when runner-up in the LR Dequetteville Stakes.  She is due to Host and will be bred back to Equiano.  Her first foal to race Wasabi Punch (Haradasun) is a last-start maiden winner at Ipswich.

Adam Sangster pictured with (L-R) Philippa & Burl Doble and Jenny & Manny Notaras

 Photo / Vince Caligiuri