Riverbank Farm's Russell Osborne and Dr Caroline Duddy have been enjoying watching the good run of form for the progeny of the late great High Chaparral.
The six times Group One winning son of the legendary Sadler's Wells is an
emerging sire of sires force and Riverbank is home to his first season son
Wayed Zain.
A lightly raced two times city winner, the imposing bay five-year-old hails from one of Australia's favourite families - the descendant of the influential Fanfreluche being out of a half-sister to the Group One winning champion sire Encosta de Lago.
His grandam meanwhile is a half-sister to Golden Slipper hero and fellow champion stallion Flying Spur... sire of this year's Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time.
Between them the now retired Encosta de Lago and Flying Spur have been represented by 213 stakes winners inclusive of 41 Group One winners and combined progeny earnings in excess of $303 million.
High Chaparral's recent stars include this Saturday's VRC Derby favourite Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Ace High (bred on the same High Chaparral/Danehill cross as Wayed Zain) who also recorded a dominant victory in the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes.
Meanwhile VRC Oaks contenders Bring Me Roses and Hiyaam were great running one/two in the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes whist Francaletta (Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders Stakes) and Apphia (Gr.3 Princess Royal Nayef Stakes) have been in winning form overseas.
Theanswermyfriend won the Listed Tontonan Stakes at Flemington in mid-September whilst Mr Sneaky, Embley, Ecuador, Omei Sword, Stampede and Cismontane (third in last weekend's Moonee Valley Cup) have all been in the placings at Group level.
The sire of 103 stakes winners whose sons Toronado, So You Think and Dundeel are proving so popular, High Chaparral was a horse who provided the opportunity to breed horses capable of proving competitive at the highest level over a bit of ground.
Which is why Duddy feels that Wayed Zain is the ideal horse for the owner/breeder seeking to breed a miler, Classic horse or stayer.
"There has been a lack of Australian bred horses in our premier staying races," she said, "but High Chaparral was a horse who really filled the gap whilst many other stallions have been siring only sprinters."
"A horse with a real look of his sire, Wayed Zain offers superior bloodlines for a very affordable price and we urge breeders to take a close look at him."
Wayed Zain is one of three winners from just four named foals for the Al Maher mare Zyoon whose promising three-year-old daughter Azyaan was impressive leading throughout to break her maiden for the Mick Price stable recently.
Whilst Wayed Zain is already proving popular, fellow Riverbank stallion Redente is already a firm favourite with Victorian breeders - last spring serving 104 mares.
The unraced but regally bred son of Redoute's Choice and the Group One mare Stella Cadente was afforded only limited opportunities early but has proven a real upgrader siring 36 runners from his first 59 runners.
Amongst that tally is the promising Leon & Troy Corstens trained Got The Moves who, having been unlucky to lose on protest at debut, impressively won his next two.
And Grey Strike was terrific at Benalla on Tuesday, settling a long last before swamping his rivals over 1106m.
Meanwhile Group One juvenile Skilled, who joined the Riverbank roster this spring, has also been enjoying a good run with So Skilled and Miss Jane saluting at Morphettville whilst Myopic, Skillriva and Regina de Nilo have looked the goods breaking their maidens in recent weeks.
Encosta de Lago's VRC Sires Produce Stakes winning son Von Costa de Hero makes up the Riverbank roster and he too is in form - early last month represented by a treble with Von Costa Glass swamping his rivals at Morphetville, Ritchford leading throughout at the Gold Coast and Aesop winning his second in a row in Queensland.
Meanwhile Vonnida, Zygalski and Annie's Our Hero are both last start Von Costa de Hero winners.
"We are really happy with the quality of the Riverbank roster," Duddy said, adding that "there is a variety of high class bloodlines to suit any breeder and we offer great value with our service fees."
For further information contact Russell Osborne on 0423 768 155.
