Widden Stud shuttler Southern Image will move bases for his next northern hemisphere season in the USA. He will transfer to Rancho San Miguel in California in 2010 after being based at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky since retiring in 2006.
Southern Image is part-owned by an Australian based syndicate and they made the decision to relocate the nine year-old after receiving the right offer last week. It won’t affect his southern stud career.
“They’re crying out for quality stallions in California and Southern Image fits the bill,” Widden’s general manager Derek Field said. “He won two Group 1 races at Santa Anita and will appeal to west coast breeders.”
A better than expected start with his first crop two year-olds will also help fill Southern Image’s book next year. They include Southern Fireball who set a track-record at Hollywood Park and the likes of Privilaged, Best Be Quick and Winning Image who have all earned black-type. His individual winner tally is up to 13 after He’s A Rebel scored impressively over 1000m at Mountaineer Park last Sunday, November 22.
He’s A Rebel (2g Southern Image – Notroubleatall by Gone West) is raced by owner-trainer Jim Knepper and he surged to a clear lead in the straight before being eased down to win by a neck.
In Australia, Southern Image averaged over 80 mares in his first three seasons and is currently covering a 100 plus book in the Widden Valley. His first southern yearlings averaged $23,564 at the 2009 yearling sales and the buyers included Tim Martin, Leon Macdonald, Donna Logan and Blue Sky Thoroughbreds.
“They’re not precocious types and the majority will probably need time,” Field explained. “Southern Image won at Santa Anita in his only start at two but he didn’t really fire until he was a three year-old.”
Like More Than Ready, Southern Image represents the Halo sireline. He was bred in Florida by Arthur Appleton and swept the Malibu Stakes (G1), Californian Sunshine Millions Classic, Santa Anita Hcp (G1) and Pimlico Special (G1) in consecutive starts between December 2003 and May 2004.
He was trained by Mike Machowsky and won 6 of his 8 starts for earnings of US$1.84 million. “He had all the attributes of a great race horse,” Machowsky recalled. “He was versatile, consistent and had a tremendous will to win.”
The second Australian crop by Southern Image will be available at the 2010 majors and kicks off with 3 yearlings for the Gold Coast Magic Millions and 8 for the Inglis Classic.