Article by By APG Media
Big black stallion Confederate created an aura of invincibility on the racetrack and that superiority looks set to continue in the breeding barn as he starts his first season at stud in Australia.
The world’s fastest three-year-old arrives in Australia at the end of the month with fellow stud prospect Cannibal and will stand at Cobbitty Equine Farms in NSW.
Both are by super sire Sweet Lou from mares by A Rocknroll Dance and have the bloodlines to make them champions in the breeding barn.
Confederate is the elite of the elite and will attract enormous interest from Australian and NZ breeders.
He won the 3YO US Breeders Crown final, the Meadowlands Pace, the Cane Pace, the Tattersalls Pace and the Max Hempt Memorial last season – all elite Group 1 classics. He banked more than $2 million in stake money.
But it was his blistering 1.46.2sec world record at The Red Mile in September that almost immediately guaranteed him legendary status.
His grand dam Western Montana is a full sister to $1mil earner Allamerican Ingot and produced $2.4mil earning filly Pure Country.
Cobbitty Equine Farms principal Belinda McCarthy is keen to get both stallions settled in. She believes they offer excellent opportunities for mare owners.
“It is a huge win for both Australian and NZ breeders to be able to access this calibre of stallions via chilled semen. Confederate has already been significantly supported by Australasian breeders with an elite group of black-type mares such as Eureka winner Encipher, the dam and half-sister of Ladies In Red and multiple Group winners Musical Delight and Speak No Evil just to name a few,” McCarthy said.
“Confederate is 16 hands, a beautiful black, strong stallion with a perfect temperament. He has been hugely supported in the Northern Hemisphere, boasting a full and closed book for his inaugural season at stud. His first year conception rates are just as exciting, we can’t wait for his arrival.
“They will arrive to us at Cobbitty mid-August after a short stint in quarantine. We are so excited to see them in the flesh.
“Confederate’s service fee is $16,500 including GST plus the HRA Stallion Tax of eight per cent. Cannibal will stand for $5,500 including GST plus the eight per cent stallion tax.”
McCarthy said it was a “robust” process to secure one of harness racing’s hottest prospects at Cobbitty Equine Farm.
“Adam Bowden, from Diamond Creek said breeders want to see and touch these horses. They would much rather see these horses than get the frozen semen,” McCarthy said.
“So he gave us the opportunity to stand both boys here in the flesh. They believe we should share the same opportunity as the Northern Hemisphere breeders to have them here firsthand.
“It was a robust tendering process, with lots of meetings back and forth, so you can imagine how excited we are.
“We jumped at the opportunity to have both boys join us.”
McCarthy said although Cannibal had been overshadowed by Confederate throughout his racing career, he was a very promising sire from an amazing stallion family. He will cross well with Australasian mares.
Cannibal won the Group 1 $350,000 Adios Pace and took a lifetime mark of 1.48.2. He had 15 wins and seven places from 27 starts, earning $785,000 in stakes.
“Affectionately known as Meatballs, Cannibal is a gorgeous, strongly build, 15.3 hands bay stallion with outstanding conformation, pedigree, temperament, and amazing fertility,” McCarthy said.
“His deep maternal bloodline is anchored by the Hall of Fame broodmares Arterra and Delinquent Account,” McCarthy said.
“Arterra produced world champion, If I Can Dream (1:49.4, $1.99mil) and O’Brien award winner Western Terror (1:48.3, $1.1mil).”
“Cannibal also had a full book of mares in the Northern Hemisphere for his first season at stud and has had great conception rates as well.”
Arterra is also a full sister to Sweet Lou’s grand sire Artiscape, giving him the bloodlines of champion broodmare Delinquent Account at the top and bottom of his pedigree.
Hoofnotes:
“Confederate was an incredible colt. He was high speed, drove like a race car, and had a great work ethic. He was polite to be around and a complete professional. I absolutely loved to sit behind him and it was an honour to be his main driver.” – driver Tim Tetrick.
“Cannibal impresses with his great gait, wonderful disposition, conformation, and consistent performance – making him the epitome of an +A racehorse,” – trainer Nancy Takter.