"Southern Cross Breeders was a great innovation that has worked well for everyone
involved and we all continue to work together and help each other out," said
Nick Hodges."When Riversdale had a draft of four or five horses it was absolutely the best way for us to maximise the potential of our yearlings at the sales, but our business has grown and rather than consigning larger and larger drafts under the Southern Cross banner we decided it was time to branch out and develop our own brand."
A large and successful broodmare farm, Riversdale has either foaled, raised or prepared for sale a string of recent winners led by last Saturday's brilliant Brisbane stakes-winner Enquare, who captured the Group III BRC Vo Rogue Plate and has won close to $300,000 in prizemoney.
"We prepared her for Magic Millions in 2012 and sold her for $45,000, so she's been a great investment for her owners," said Hodges.
"We've had a lot of success of late with horses off the farm including smart winners like Black Jag, Social Rank, Perth winner Fine Rock, Hong Kong winner Brilliant Proposal, promising debut winner Orvieto and a horse called Longeron, who won three straight for the Hawkes stable last preparation and resumed with a good second at Flemington."
The Riversdale draft for 2014 features 15 yearlings including youngsters by our leading sires with highlights below and comments from Nick Hodges.
Lot 71 Filly Snitzel x Shelbey
Third foal of a winning half-sister to Group I winner Barkada from the family of Group I winners Strawberry Fair and Solo Traveller.
Lovely big strong filly, very forward and by a sire that could not be going any better.
Lot 96 Filly Stratum x Sounds Assertive
By the same sire as Enquare, who we sold in 2012 and is from a great family featuring Group I stars Assertive Lad, Assertive Lass and unbeaten Group I winner and leading sire Reset.
A big relaxed filly, with plenty of scope and a great temperament.
Lot 192 Filly Exceed and Excel x Academy Idol
Half-sister to stakes-placed Chosen Idol, who ran a good second at Canterbury last Saturday for the Paul Messara stable.
Really strong, jump and run style of filly, very much a Magic Millions filly, bred to go fast and early.
Lot 258 Filly Commands x Bullion Bay
Second foal of metropolitan winning grand-daughter of Group I Yorkshire and Irish Oaks winner Shoot a Line, also the grand-dam of Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch.
A nice compact filly by an outstanding sire from a strong international family.
Lot 292 Colt Fastnet Rock x Cool and Composed (NZ)
From a metropolitan winning half-sister to stakes-winner Icy Calm and bred on the exact same Fastnet Rock x Stravinsky cross as four-time Group I winner Mosheen.
He's a lovely horse with plenty of length, but is a neater style of Fastnet Rock as was Mosheen.
Lot 566 Filly Not a Single Doubt x Milzeel (NZ)
From Group II placed Zabeel mare Milzeel, a daughter of triple Group I winner Miltak and is bred on the exact same cross as spring stakes-winner Gypsy Diamond.
Strong topped filly with a lot of quality about her as you would expect of a filly with a pedigree like hers.
Click here for the full draft and for more information on any of the Riversdale Farm yearlings contact Nick Hodges on 0410 310 296.
