The name of Tyreel Stud is one of the best known in Australian thoroughbred breeding and this family owned enterprise is moving into a new phase in 2012 under the stewardship of Dean Fleming, who purchased the Agnes Banks based farm from the estate of his late father Jim, who passed away in 2007.
Situated on 106 picturesque acres, just an hour and a half's drive from the heart of Sydney, Tyreel has a proud history for producing elite racehorses and boasts an honour roll featuring Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay, Group I winners Republic Lass, Filante, Our Giant, Kenny's Best Pal, Stella Cadente and globetrotting multiple Group I winning Singapore based sprinter Rocket Man(pictured).
A highly successful dispersal of the mares owned by Jim Fleming in 2010 and the retirement of long time Stud Manager, John Vincent in 2011, has led to change at Tyreel with the appointment of highly respected horseman Scott Holcombe to the role of Stud Manager.
Mr Holcombe brings a wealth of experience to the position having spent many years working for the Ingham family at Woodlands Stud, before coming to Tyreel from a fruitful sojourn as Stud Manager at Tony Santic's Makybe Stud in Victoria.
"Tyreel has an outstanding reputation for excellence and Dean (Fleming) has the utmost respect for everything his father achieved here, as do we all, but it's his farm now and he's looking to put his own stamp on it," Scott Holcombe explained.
The re-vitalising of Tyreel can be seen in any number of small ways from the new uniforms being readied for the yearling sales ahead, to the new logo featuring the dark blue and green of Dean's racing colours.
The familiar JRF brand has been replaced with Dean's DF and the mares once floated to the Hunter Valley to produce their precious foals are now foaled down at home on the farm and later walked on to visit the leading sires.
"Foaling down the mares here has been a major change and one that required a real leap of faith from Dean, but it's turned out extremely well and we couldn't be happier with the foals born here last year and the conception rates for the mares going back to stud has been excellent," Holcombe said.
"The other significant change for the farm has been the decision to make it a more commercial venture in taking on yearlings for outside clients.
"That's a part of the business we plan to grow and ideally in the future we'd like to be taking 40% client yearlings in our drafts to the major sales – Magic Millions, Inglis Premier and Inglis Easter."
The first new look Tyreel Stud draft will be offered at the 2012 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne at the end of the month and will feature eight yearlings, three bred at Tyreel and five for various clients.
A handsome chestnut colt by Encosta de Lago from the Marscay mare Orderly is an obvious standout and will be offered as Lot 113. Watch him walk.
A full brother to stakes-placed Iron Lace, his dam is a full sister to former outstanding racehorse Excellerator, who won a Magic Millions 2YO Classic and ran second in the Golden Slipper before training on to win a Group I AJC Epsom Handicap as an older horse.
"He's a lovely colt, strong and well grown and has so much of the Marscay look about him," said Holcombe.
The progeny of champion New Zealand sire Pins were in hot demand at Karaka andLot 479, an athletic bay colt from stakes-winning juvenile Crossyourheart (NZ) is sure to have his admirers. Watch him walk.
"He's a very good first foal for the mare, who was an outstanding juvenile and comes from a terrific family," said Holcombe.
Lot 437 is an interesting colt being a full brother to multiple Group III winning sprinter Friday Creek, by Commands from Candles. Watch him walk.
"He's a good style of colt and very typical of the Commands in that he'll just keep improving and improving, they are all like that," said Holcombe.
Lot 142 is a filly with a big pedigree being by exciting freshman sire Duke of Marmalade (IRE) from Pride of Tatius, who is a winning sibling to three Group I winners in Shogun Lodge, Singing the Blues and Referral. Watch her walk.
"She's a neat, athletic filly and is the second foal of a beautifully bred mare, so represents a great way to get into an outstanding female family," said Holcombe.
Also in the draft are:
Lot 37 Colt Danehill Dancer (IRE) x Looking for Gold (USA) – Half-brother to six winners and to the dam of Group III winner Gamble on Me, from the family of champion sire Seeking the Gold. Watch him walk.
Lot 117 Filly Henrythenavigator (USA) x Pace Invader (NZ) – Half-sister to metropolitan winners Greatbatch and Procida from Group I winner Pace Invader, who comes from the family of NZ Horse of the Year, Mufhasa.Watch her walk.
Lot 193 Filly Henrythenavigator (USA) x San Cristobel(NZ) – First foal of juvenile winner by Fastnet Rock, who made $700,000 as a yearling and is from Group III winner Galapagos Girl, a half-sister to celebrated producer Procrastinate, dam of champion filly Laisserfaire. Watch her walk.
Lot 441 Colt Danehill Dancer (IRE) x Celtic Queen (IRE) – Brother to Group II placed Queen Mira from an unraced sister to Group I winner Alberto Giacometti.
