Which young stallions have genuine MARKET APPEAL ?

[FOS]

hi again Mike

Considering that turf racing abounds in your beautiful country...AUS$77,000 sounds like very good value for Giant's Causeway.

I thought Danehill was a very special horse...what a loss...did you have an opportunity to breed to him? What was his stud fee?

Best to you

Respectfully

[Mike]

Hi FOS
No. I didn't breed to Danehill. His stud fee was $200/400k depending on who you believe. I did not make an enquiry at the time as I was not in that market. that was 2002 I think and he did not come over the following year. Coolmore decided to keep him in the NH. And the story from there was all bad. It was a tragedy.
I must say though that at the moment I feel that Successful Appeal is the most exciting around. Very early, I know but if he came south, I'd have a go. I don't think Walmac will travel him though.

[Intrinsic Worth]

I used to be on Jump Start's bandwagon and could forgive his early breakdown considering he was with Lukas. However, once I got to know more about him, I'm not to keen on the unsoundness issue. A.P Indy's offspring aren't the souness, JS's dam, Steady Cat broke down, and JS's half sister broke down this year. Now the only thing I like about him is his personality, he's a very friendly horse, a child could own him.

[FOS]

hi Mike ... hi all

A horse that's very easy to look at ... and may have some genuine market appeal...is multiple G2 winner Essence of Dubai (Pulpit ex Epitome by Summing). As you may recall...Essence of Dubai's dam was a lovely Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner (and champion 2 yo filly).

For starters...Essence of Dubai was a $2.3 mil yearling (that may give you some insight as to what he looks like)...and he was a nice race horse...although a cut below the top.

Including his limited Dubai racing (which can often skew things) he earned a tad over $2 mil. Regardless...in North America...he did win the Norfolk S at 2...and the Super Derby at 3. He was a winner from 6 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles (in North America)...all on the dirt...and made 2000 meters in the UAE Derby...which he won.

Essence of Dubai is a very well made...and extremely athletic looking guy...and a great walker.

He's beautifully proportioned and probably stands about 15-3 (although maybe 16 HH is possible).

He's not a syndicated horse...and the smart-money suggests the Darley guys will step in and buy the "best" ones available.

If the horse has success...I expect you'll see him in Lexington...in the barn with their young star sire Elusive Quality (who as you recall started at $10,000 live foal).

Thoughts?

Respectfully

[llbean]

I like Essence of Dubai also; another point in his favor is the highly excellent record of his half-brother Faltaat as a stallion in New Zealand (and the Faltaat's have shown some speed).

Essence of Dubai might work very nicely with In Reality (which will be supplied by Florida) and Storm Cat (which is probably getting supplied by Darley).

-llbean

[Mike]

Hi FOS
Faltaat, his half brother is doing well in New Zealand.

[FOS]

hi llbean...hi Mike

It is my understanding that Darley bred no mares to Essence of Dubai (in 2004 his first year at stud)...and does not intend to unless and until the horse is successful (at least by their standards).

It has also been brought to my attention that Elusive Quality was handled similarly.

The talk is that Darley may very well step in and purchase some nice ones (Essence of Dubai) with the intent to race them.

Mike the Faltaat report...interesting. Is he an eyeful? Strengths...weaknesses?

Respectfully

[Mike]

He's a 15.31/2 dark bay with lovely quarters. He served very small books initially. From 1998 the foal sizes were,17,28,23,13,29,24,68. He has 3 Gr1 winners. The weakness now would be that time has past him by, and commercially he would not bring the money IMHO.

[Flight]

I was in NZ last month and had the opportunity to pat Faltaat. He is a very nice boy. BTW, if I can't pat them without getting my hand bitten off then I am not interested!

Nicely put together type even if he isn't big.

Think they struggled to get a decent sized book of mares to him once the fee was hiked to NZD$20k.

I like him, a lot. Bring down the fee and I'm interested.

[FOS]

hi Mike ... hi Flight

Essence of Dubai is a very "correct" horse...is Faltaat that kind also?

If so...maybe it's not unreasonable to expect that their family has a strong tendency to produce that kind. That may bode well for Essence of Dubai as a potential "market" stallion.

Additionally Essence of Dubai is a fabulous walker.

Flight...it sounds like Faltaat is very approachable...but it does not appear that Essence of Dubai fits neatly into that category.

Possibly the less appealing-side of EOD is that he seems to be somewhat aggressive (at least to some extent)...or possibly unruly or impatient might be better descriptions. Regardless...it appears he is handled particularly carefully by farm staff.

Respectfully

[Mike]

FOS
I haven't seen him in the flesh so flight can tell us from his sighting. I have seen Tit For Taat (one of his progeny). He's a big strong horse with mind of his own. He's been very sound and raced for several seasons.

[Flight]

Hi FOS

We did a whirlwind tour through the stud (farm) and they did not parade him but I did spend over five minutes sticking my head into his stall trying to get a good look from every angle.

As I said, he is not a big horse but there doesn't appear to be anything out of place. Of course I would have preferred to have seen him walk around but can always do that next trip.

He appears to have a lovely temperament and I had no hesitation in standing there giving him a pat and a scratch. It's a thing I like to do with horses.....perhaps we're bonding or something.

Mike, you could be right in saying that most people are "over him" but weren't most over Rhythm before Ethereal and El Moxie before Silent Witness??? And Mr Henrysee, and Serheed.........

Cheers

[Mike]

Quite right Flight, but the prices still reflect that in the sales ring. Your examples all confirm that. You didn't mention Desert Sun!

[Flight]

Too true Mike!

Perhaps I am too much of a purist and actually want to breed a race horse. Not an oversized yearling that will potentially fetch big $$$ in the sales ring.

In fact, I'm not even sure how I would go about intentionally breeding a big get up and run 2yr old type.

[Mike]

Flight
My problem is that I can't race them all so the market preference must get consideration. I try for middle of the road. Hopefully I don't miss both targets but it's al;ways possible.