WISE DAN - with TWO South African ancestors!

So great to see USA dual-Horse of the Year WISE DAN back on the track, now 7yo, and first run since colic surgery - winning his 11th G1 (the $1m Shadwell Turf Mile) yesterday to take his record (see below) to even further heights!

With HAWAII (SAf) on top - and out of a WOLF POWER (SAf) mare - he does the South African Thoroughbred proud ... and the story is likely far from over!

Love this horse , first time he had to run at them Lastnight and it might have even improved him

The thing is that he appeared to do it convincingly, he still had some gas in the tank after all was said and done...

Bob Brogan wrote: Love this horse , first time he had to run at them Lastnight and it might have even improved him

Counter Ridge ran second the other day in the UK. Bob did mention it...

www.africanbettingclan.com/index.php/for...0RIDGE&childforums=1

Think this post of yours ended up in the wrong thread!

Alistair_Brown wrote: Think this post of yours ended up in the wrong thread!

Apologies. I thought you was trying to highlight the value of South African bloodstock has your profile also does include you are a bloodstock agent. Counter Ridge is alive and kicking and will make a good broodmare one day, but I am no breeding expert. This years duel derby winner, Australia, dam, Ouija Board, was beaten by a South African bred, Iridescence. There was no mention of that. Every breeder tries to grab some fame, why not, its for the betterment for racing.

lol

My apologies - couldn't see the connection between the likes of HAWAII and WOLF POWER to a horse like COUNTER RIDGE - who, I have to say, I can't even begin to think why she was ever considered good enough to race outside of this country!

Likewise, IRRIDESCENCE was a dual-G1 winner here - and a Champion - before venturing overseas - and was also a full-sister to the top-class PERFECT PROMISE - two individuals far removed from the likes of COUNTER RIDGE, who, with her somewhat plebeian race-record and pedigree (by international standards) who will, more by 'good luck' than anything else, "make a good broodmare one day"!

With the UK flat-season already 'winding down' COUNTER RIDGE, now 5yo, has time against her in trying to improve her race-record - and, with luck, pick up some (even small) 'black type'.

Whilst I admire anyone who takes on the arduous, not to mention expensive, export route with our horses - let's not get carried away with oursleves.

As your title heading says Ancestors, so I guess it will be their broodmares that will be doing the talking, that's if they still around, they could well be in their twenties for Wolf Power as for Hawaii before my time so it could be generations before that bloodline can appear. So I guess I shall discard Mark Johnston's, Heavy Metal, winner of the Ascot International Handicap couple weeks of ago of any importance to Rock Opera although South African bred cos it was only a Handicap. Rock Opera did win a Grade 1, I know for sure as a two year old. I am no breeding expert as I told you before, just love horses. On another note can you tell me about the pedigree of Chocolicious that was sent to be covered by Frankel. I do know her dam, Candy Box, was a smart 2yo or was she just a courtesan compared to the commoner Counter Ridge!

naresh wrote: As your title heading says Ancestors, so I guess it will be their broodmares that will be doing the talking, that's if they still around, they could well be in their twenties for Wolf Power as for Hawaii before my time so it could be generations before that bloodline can appear. So I guess I shall discard Mark Johnston's, Heavy Metal, winner of the Ascot International Handicap couple weeks of ago of any importance to Rock Opera although South African bred cos it was only a Handicap. Rock Opera did win a Grade 1, I know for sure as a two year old. I am no breeding expert as I told you before, just love horses. On another note can you tell me about the pedigree of Chocolicious that was sent to be covered by Frankel. I do know her dam, Candy Box, was a smart 2yo or was she just a courtesan compared to the commoner Counter Ridge!

CHOCOLICIOUS and her dam CANDY BOX are the only 'Stakes Winner' on the page - and, though not having a 'fashionable' pedigree CHOCOLICIOUS was a G1 SW and you cannot take that away from her! Whether or not she warranted a cover by FRANKEL - well, only time will tell.

Alistar, would you recommend spending fortunes on a cover when its the mares first foal? it seems to be the done thing these days

Bob Brogan wrote: Alistar, would you recommend spending fortunes on a cover when its the mares first foal? it seems to be the done thing these days

If a mare is a class (read GSW) performer, then one wants to give her the best opportunity to succeed as a producer - and, regrettably, the fees for top stallions - if you can get to them - are high.

CHOCOLICIOUS to FRANKEL - well, that may have been a little O.T.T.!