Top-class sprinter Swift Alliance is covering his first book at Akaroa Thoroughbreds in Grafton this season.

Akaroa studmaster Brent Davenport stands him in conjunction with Gooree Pastoral’s Eduardo Cojuangco and Andrew Baddock.  “I worked at Gooree about 20 years ago,” Davenport recalled.  “Andrew was there back then and we’ve always kept in touch.  When they retired Swift Alliance, I jumped at the opportunity to stand him.”

After his stint at Gooree, Davenport was based at Emirates Park, Reavill Farm and Yarraman Park before branching out on his own.  “Akaroa stands on 120 acres,” he said.  “It fronts Whiteman Creek which runs off the Clarence River.”

Swift Alliance (Don Eduardo – Visual Emotion by Silver Deputy) is by an AJC Derby winning son of Zabeel, however, his forte was over short courses.  “He could jump and then possie on the pace before kicking off the corner,” Davenport said.  “He used that tactical speed to full advantage.

“I guess he ran against pedigree but that should help his stock develop into strong sprinter-milers,” Davenport added.  “He’s a perfect match for breeders looking for a BOBS stallion in the $5,000 range.”

Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Swift Alliance won on debut at Canterbury in October 2008 and then doubled up at Rosehill the following month before going out for an extended spell.  He came back and put together a run of four wins including black-type results in the LR Show County Quality at Randwick and the G3 Hong Kong Plate down the straight-six at Flemington.

Still improving as an autumn four year-old, Swift Alliance scored a G3 victory in the Sebring Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill before going down a half-neck to Shellscrape in the G1 Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick.

“Gai told me ‘Swifty’ is a favourite at the stables,” Baddock said when the stallion resumed the following season.  “Everyone there just loves him.  You would love to have a stable full of them.  He keeps on keeping on.”

That was evident when Swift Alliance won the LR Razor Sharp (1200m) later in the year at Randwick.  “He carried 60kg but was relaxed and kept finding the line,” Waterhouse explained.  “He’s strong and powerful and that’s not a big impost for such a quality horse.”

Nash Rawiller also rated Swift Alliance through the rafters when he came back for a second Sebring Stakes last year.  “This horse has a heart as big as himself,” Rawiller said.  “We all talk about the champions we’ve got around at the moment like More Joyous but this bloke is just a little champion in his own right.  He never lets you down.”

Swift Alliance retired with 9 wins in 19 starts and Gooree is backing him their own mares like G2 Rosehill winner Precious Glitter (Danehill), Canterbury winner Mountain Dew (Snowland) and Empire Express (Royal Academy) who is a daughter of Moonee Valley G2 winner Beautiful Gem (Peintre Celebre).

He will stand at Akaroa Thoroughbreds for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee.  Broodmare owners can contact Davenport on 0438 412 929.

– Karl Patterson