It Takes Two to Tango

Most yearling buyers go straight to the sire index of any sale to see what's on offer, but the sire of the dam of the yearling is in many ways just as important and in the case of this stallion his presence in a pedigree is fast becoming a major factor in stakes success.

Arrowfield Stud's mastermind John Messara has come up with plenty of innovative ideas in terms of stallion talent over the years, but one of his most intriguing was the decision to secure Chile's best stallion Hussonet (USA) back in 2003.

A North American bred son of Mr Prospector, Hussonet enjoyed spectacular success in his early years at stud in South America and while he was not quite able to replicate that degree of success in Australia, he has more than made his mark.

Targeted for Australia as a perfect foil for the myriad of Danehill line mares at Arrowfield Stud, Hussonet proved successful in that regard siring Group I winners Eagle Falls, Reaan, Gold Trail and Contentment from Danehill line mares.

That ability to nick with Danehill blood is now proving very influential through his daughters at stud.

Hussonet is the sire of the dam of four Australian bred Group I winners – Extreme Choice (by Not a Single Doubt), Majmu (by Redoute's Choice), Lucky Bubbles (by Sebring) and Shoals (by Fastnet Rock).

The Hussonet x Danehill nick in any configuration within five generations runs at 64.3% winners to runners and boasts 45 stakes-winners or 7% stakes-winners to runners.

When we get a bit more specific and look at Hussonet nicking with Redoute's Choice, the figures are even more impressive – 69.2% winners to runners and 15.3% stakes-winners to runners.

John Messara certainly picked wisely in Hussonet, when it came to bringing in a new bloodline to suit his stallions going forward!

Click here to see the list of 22 yearlings for Magic Millions from daughters of Hussonet.