Auckland Reactor at stud

I have been a bit surprised at the lack of reaction to Auckland Reactor going to stud as he has always been one of those racehorses that had as many detractors as fans during his career. I thought I would give my opinion for what it is worth on his stallion prospects in Nz . First and foremost he is standing at one of the best stud operations in Australasia. He will get every opportunity at Alabar. He is a Direct Scooter line horse which is a sireline which is super sucessful in NZ so thats a plus.His maternal line is moderate to be honest.Until Auckland Reactors emergence it had been patchy for over 30 yrs. Personally dont mind as most of the really sucessful stallions in Nz in my lifetime have had moderate maternal lines up close. No 2yr old record is a negative but he sure made up for it at 3 and 4. Never really showed Aussies how good he was but I have always felt that if Mark Purdon had been left in charge it would have been different. Have no hesitation in saying that at his best he was as good a Nz horse as I have seen. Since becoming addicted to this sport as a very young boy when watching Mount Eden time trial at the 71 Inter-doms I have seen over 40 yrs of racing and Auckland Reactor is up there as one of the few very special horses i have seen race. Last is the service fee. The connections surprised me a bit in starting out at $3000.Thought they may pitch him a tad higher. So how will he be received in the marketplace in Nz. I am certain he will serve a large book in NZ, well into three figures. I would expect his reception in Australia to be a lot more muted. All in all its an interesting debate. Will he --- Wont he. Time will tell

Auckland reactors maternal line might be moderate, but his maternal family has produced some very good horses in the last 10 years or so, with several group winning horses. DEVIL DODGER, RUSSLEY RASCAL, LOUVRE, RENAISSANCE MAN, MISS HAZEL AND AUCKLAND REACTOR HIMSELF.

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Originally Posted by Richard prior

Auckland reactors maternal line might be moderate, but his maternal family has produced some very good horses in the last 10 years or so, with several group winning horses. DEVIL DODGER, RUSSLEY RASCAL, LOUVRE, RENAISSANCE MAN, MISS HAZEL AND AUCKLAND REACTOR HIMSELF.

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This is a family that in the main was dead for over 30 years prior to Auckland Reactor. I cant think of one outstanding racehorse from 1970 until the arrival of Auckland Reactor that this family produced. It has been bred in the main by two breeders (Doug Frampton in Canterbury and Tony Parker in Auckland) and owes its rebirth to the two Sokys Atom mares of Tony Parkers. The one other constant is that Auckland Reactor, Russley Rascal, and Devil Dodger were by Mach Three. This years talented 2yr old Racer (1:55) is also a Mach Three from this family. So why this family has produced some quality horses in the last ten years it has done so off the back of some very barren decades beforehand.You would never consider it in the same breath as the Black Watch or First Water families.

No comparison to those 2 great families, and i guess it just goes to show that a stallion of Mach Three's calibre, can really awaken a family from its deep slumber.Its quite clear that he has an affinity with this family, not to the extent that he has with Beach Towel mares , but an affinity all the same. Auckland Reactor is clearly the best performed horse from his maternal family, but a few of the others mentioned previously, have also been pretty fair race horses. Sloys, in Australia have had great success with their branch and the promise of better things to come with the number of high quality stallions that are available in the southern hemisphere breeding season.

The maternal family is very influential in the success of a sire in my humble opinion, similarly the individual sire's personal attitude to racing ie; pussy cats get pussy cats, look at two full brothers in Thor Hanover and Truant Hanover, Thor was one of the most successful sires of his time, but his quirkily named brother threw a lot of stock that went missing when the going got tough.
Please don't anyone think I'm inferring AR is a pussy cat, or anything even remotely like it, he was in my opinion an extremely talented individual, but he was not lucky IMO, often things would go awry when the opportunity arose to put his doubters at bay.

Personally I reckon he will make a cracker of a horse in the barn, his beautiful gait is one thing he will pass on.

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Originally Posted by Danno

The maternal family is very influential in the success of a sire in my humble opinion, similarly the individual sire's personal attitude to racing ie; pussy cats get pussy cats, look at two full brothers in Thor Hanover and Truant Hanover, Thor was one of the most successful sires of his time, but his quirkily named brother threw a lot of stock that went missing when the going got tough.
Please don't anyone think I'm inferring AR is a pussy cat, or anything even remotely like it, he was in my opinion an extremely talented individual, but he was not lucky IMO, often things would go awry when the opportunity arose to put his doubters at bay.

Personally I reckon he will make a cracker of a horse in the barn, his beautiful gait is one thing he will pass on.

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Apart from Holmes Hanover, most of the other leading sires in my lifetime in Nz had average maternal families. From Smooth Fella to Vance Hanover to In The Pocket to Mach Three and plenty in between have been way more successful in the barn than their pedigree suggested they would have been. Some outstandingly pedigreed sires have come to Nz in my lifetime and few have performed. Artiscape is always one that springs to mind for me. Great USA record--- Appalling record in Nz. Some sires are just meant to be. Live Or Die is the one that always intrigues me. A top 2yr old but by Die Laughing from a Temjuin mare and gait issues to boot--- But it just didnt matter. A great sire and now becoming a great broodmare sire. So I tend to be a bit more sceptical of new sires with outstanding pedigrees as history in Nz isnt on their side.

I don't buy into a sire's immediate maternal family being anything like a reliable factor insofar as predicting his success or failure at stud.
The majority of the greatest sires the Standardbred breed has seen have eminated from what were otherwise moderately/ordinarily/poorly performed immediate families/damlines. Albatross, Big Towner, Abercrombie, Cam Fella, Matt's Scooter, Falcon Seelster, Vance Hanover & Fake Left come immediately to mind. Further, there are also quite a few to be found amongst the current leading sires in both Hemispheres.

I know that this does not need to be said.........lets not forget the mare....90% at least contribution ( IMHO)

Taking everything into account, Auckland Reactor should be a very good option for breeders in these tough economic times. Touching on the maternal family issues again, Somebeachsomewhere comes from a very ordinary family and he has excelled so far with his progeny in the Northern Hemisphere. How quickly we forget the greatness of Auckland Reactor, he was a great horse from the time he hit the track and won over all distances and made some very good horses look 2nd rate. He will have a wide range of mares to breed with and he might even get a few breeders to consider their options with Beach Towel mares, even though they could be getting on a bit. Which ever way, he certainly brings a lot to the table, Speed, Stamina and Gait.

Ecomonic times are tough as touched on by Richard & the huge amount of good quality stallions available makes its even harder for sires & their owners to capture a decent part of the market..so I think AR's success will be greatly depend on the big breeders giving him a go just to see what he can throw whilst the small time breeders may decide to monitor the results for a while..super horse in my books & I would certainly give him a go if I was in the position to do so

Just read a tweet from Alabar that Auckland Reactors book is closed for Aus. I was surprised, now we just wait and see !

Very surprised also Rick, I heard he was getting a good book in NZ, They hold him in great esteem over the ditch. I'm not sure of the booking numbers here but about 6 weeks ago he had around 50 mares. He's pretty good value for money and good luck to anyone sending their mares to him.

Surely he can't be full in Australia. Several of the posters on this very site said they would die of shock if he served more than 20. All goes to judgement i suppose. Bit embarrassing none the less when you are out of step with the breeders in your own country None of them were brave enough to have a wager with me either. According to Graeme Henley on the box seat the other night, Auckland Reactor has over 200 mares in Nz alone.

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Originally Posted by Viv Strangman

Surely he can't be full in Australia. Several of the posters on this very site said they would die of shock if he served more than 20. All goes to judgement i suppose. Bit embarrassing none the less when you are out of step with the breeders in your own country None of them were brave enough to have a wager with me either. According to Graeme Henley on the box seat the other night, Auckland Reactor has over 200 mares in Nz alone.

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Like closing time at a nightclub, some are willing to breed with anything. :)

I laughed when I read that his book was full, I thought of you blokes arguing about him straight away ! Only time will tell if he makes it as a stallion but it looks like he will have every chance. I never liked him as a race horse probably because every time he came to Aus he seemed to fail. Most of the times I saw him here he pulled like a lunatic ! But it's not always the best race horses that make the best sires so I will not cast judgement yet .

That really surprises me.
The very best of luck to Alabar. They keep doing what I've been banging on about for some time now, they keep on putting their hand into their pocket to add Southern Hemisphere bred horses to their Sires Roster...Elsu, Gotta Go Cullect, Safari, Courage Under Fire & most recently Smiling Shard...in time I guess the Blaster will join the crew too, and for that alone I wish them every success. I hope that one day I breed a colt that's good enough to stand at Stud. What a buzz that would be.

Btw, not to forget Nevele R standing Southern Hemisphere breds Changeover, Christian Cullen & Tintin In America. Thumbs up there too.

Yeah, I suppose when Courage Under Fire, Christian Cullen, Sundon have all been such great sires and were all Nz bred you keep looking for the next one. Unless the word is totally wrong, Changeover is about to make a real statement with his first crop this season as well. Probably explains why Auckland Reactor has not only got 200+ mares in his first season but as Graeme Henley said on the Box seat the other night, the quality of the mares is outstanding.

Sundon was not a NZ bred.
He was foaled at Meadow Lands Farm, PA back in 1986 and was originally named Sondon.
SONDON (E34248, H)
ARNDON - SUNGAIT SONG - B.F.COALTOWN
GENERAL INFORMATION
Foaling Date:03/07/1986
Sex:HorseFoaling
Place:MEADOW LANDS,PA
Color:Bay
Tattoo:
Freezebrand:
Death Date:
S&D Last Year:2009
Markings:NO WHITE MARKINGS.
Parent Verified: No
Eligibility:No
CURRENT OWNERRoy A Mc Kenzie (192625) Eastbourne,NZ
Effective Date: N/A Certificate Mailed 08/13/86

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Originally Posted by Viv Strangman

Yeah, I suppose when Courage Under Fire, Christian Cullen, Sundon have all been such great sires and were all Nz bred you keep looking for the next one. Unless the word is totally wrong, Changeover is about to make a real statement with his first crop this season as well. Probably explains why Auckland Reactor has not only got 200+ mares in his first season but as Graeme Henley said on the Box seat the other night, the quality of the mares is outstanding.

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[VVV] You have to give the Kiwi Breeders, Yearling Buyers/Trainers their due insofar as them stepping up & supporting the best of their locally bred & performed colts if and when they go to stud. Australian Breeders, Yearling Buyers/Trainers could do worse than follow their lead.

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Originally Posted by Triple V

Sundon was not a NZ bred.
He was foaled at Meadow Lands Farm, PA back in 1986 and was originally named Sondon.
SONDON (E34248, H)
ARNDON - SUNGAIT SONG - B.F.COALTOWN
GENERAL INFORMATION
Foaling Date:03/07/1986
Sex:HorseFoaling
Place:MEADOW LANDS,PA
Color:Bay
Tattoo:
Freezebrand:
Death Date:
S&D Last Year:2009
Markings:NO WHITE MARKINGS.
Parent Verified: No
Eligibility:No
CURRENT OWNERRoy A Mc Kenzie (192625) Eastbourne,NZ
Effective Date: N/A Certificate Mailed 08/13/86

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Came to Nz as a foal with his dam.. Raised in Nz-- Trained in Nz-- leading sire in Nz . Bred by a kiwi to boot.

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Originally Posted by Triple V

[VVV] You have to give the Kiwi Breeders, Yearling Buyers/Trainers their due insofar as them stepping up & supporting the best of their locally bred & performed colts if and when they go to stud. Australian Breeders, Yearling Buyers/Trainers could do worse than follow their lead.

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The one downside is when horses not up to the mark performance wise are given a shot at stud on the the back of what Christian Cullen, Courage Under Fire, Sundon have done at stud. Several horses have gone to stud in the last 5+ years which I could never patronize on their performance. Gotta Go Collect is a prime example. He was given a great shot by breeders with a first crop of 124 foals which are now 3yr olds. He has sired one nice horse who has won four races to date. The other 123 havn't bothered the the winners circle to date.

well im one of the crazy people sending a mare to him and a coloured mare at that so im completely deluded (which my mates know to be quite true), but the coloured stock lack that sheer brilliance and hoping that is what Auckland reactor can bring to the party, the mare being reasonably bred for a coloured one being by million to one who brings the falcon seelster cross into it, he was freaky to watch at times and considering I only breed to train and drive myself and don't have to shell out a single dollar on outside costs excluding vet fees well 3k is pretty good value in my books, I will however be spitting chips if it doesn't have various splashes of white on it lol

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Originally Posted by broco

well im one of the crazy people sending a mare to him and a coloured mare at that so im completely deluded (which my mates know to be quite true), but the coloured stock lack that sheer brilliance and hoping that is what Auckland reactor can bring to the party, the mare being reasonably bred for a coloured one being by million to one who brings the falcon seelster cross into it, he was freaky to watch at times and considering I only breed to train and drive myself and don't have to shell out a single dollar on outside costs excluding vet fees well 3k is pretty good value in my books, I will however be spitting chips if it doesn't have various splashes of white on it lol

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Hi Monique

Take a look at lot 305 a yearling colt by Art Major who goes through the sale's in 2wks. theblackbook.com

Hi Dallas, He's a real nice type and got some breeding behind him, Art Major from Matt's Scooter mare from the Minnehaha clan. I remember seeing him as a baby in the Harness Racing International Mag. I reckon Monique will be very interested. Richard

hi yes followed him since a baby, very nice colt, totally different colour gene to the skewbalds here in Australia with him being a dominant white/maximum sabino, there was a courage under fire colt here of the same gene who unfortunately passed away and there is a colt in SA that races as painted swaffham all being from plain parents and themselves popping out white, pretty cool really.
I had hoped to win lotto to buy the art major bloke but sadly that just never goes to plan lol

Given Chase Auckland's super impressive win in the NZ Sires Stakes, what do breeders think of Auckland Reactor's credentials now?
Other AR progeny incl. :

Gold Reactor $66k . 8 starts, 1 win
Soho Burning Love $20k 12 starts, 1 win
Antero $12k. 7 starts, 1 win

Not a breeder Richard but he is going to need more than Chase Auckland to show up this season to keep getting large books. I don't know how many he is serving now but surprisingly he was better supported in Australia than NZ last season 146/95

Antero isn't a bad little horse

Thanks Kevin and Katie.
Yes, Antero is a nice horse. He hasn't placed further back than 3rd and has run a 1:56.5 winning mile rate.
Maybe Auckland Reactor's progeny will get better with age. Let's see. Betterthanched, Tintin, For A Reason etc. might be a little ahead at the moment at the less than $5k service mark.

Stewart/Tonkin have a 3yo first starter, Shining Oro, in R2 at Melton tonight
Let's see what they can do with an AR
Analysis says it was good winning a trial a while back
Dam, Totally Oro, was a metro winner but as yet has produced zip in the barn

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...ic#MXC01121708

Had to smile at the stewards comments on Shining Oro's performance tonight, he must have done something right surely....

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Originally Posted by Fan of Jate

Had to smile at the stewards comments on Shining Oro's performance tonight, he must have done something right surely....

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He went 1.58 doing all that wrong. Not bad considering

(HOSU RRSU RRAS LCD HO RG WI 7 QUER)

https://harness.hrnz.co.nz/gws/ws/r/...chase+auckland

With this type of record in NZ already, I think AR breeders would be fairly happy. One good horse can make a world of difference. It is not often that a horse who wins like chase has will drop off in ability and especially trained by Purdon and co. So you would expect this horse to turn out to be a star ...barring injury.

3.75 percent w/f in NZ and 9.5 percent w/f in AUS 3yo and over and 6.18 w/f combined 17 winners/275 foals I wouldn't be over excited about if iwas a buyer or seller but Chase Auckland is a gooden all right .

Those statistics are not good ...true. I've had one but sold it and it hasnt raced yet, the dam was fairly good. No doubt judging by the stats there are plenty more in that position. It will be a shame if a colonial stallion with a pretty good race record/breeding does not make it in the big barn. Cant see a lot going back to him if he cant get a few more winners then despite Chase Auckland.

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Gold Reactor $66k . 8 starts, 1 win
Soho Burning Love $20k 12 starts, 1 win
Antero $12k. 7 starts, 1 win

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SBL has a very fast time 1:52:6 at Melton when it won there in December... a couple of 27 and change quarters. It also won easily at Kilmore tonight.