Q&A with Shane Horan, Juddmonte Farms

5 min read
TDN AusNZ’s Gary King spoke with Juddmonte Farms’ Stallion Nominations Manager Shane Horan about Juddmonte’s strategy to make its stallions available on Southern Hemisphere (SH) time.

GK: Frankel (GB) (£80,000), Kingman (GB) (£35,000), Oasis Dream (GB) (£20,000) and Bated Breath (GB) (£5,000) are all available on SH time. What prompted this decision?

Shane Horan: The Juddmonte stallions have always been available to cover on SH time with varying degrees of support over the years. However, it wasn’t until the arrival of Frankel and Kingman to the roster that there has been a significant increase in interest from SH breeders. The demand for their services was understandable and the decision to cover on SH time was very much a commercial one.

GK: How many mares has Frankel bred on SH time during his first few years at stud?

SH: Frankel’s first three SH crops contained modest numbers, but from those limited opportunities he has sired six winners, including the group placed Merovee, from just eight runners to date, so it’s a highly respectable strike rate. The sensational results of his progeny in the Northern Hemisphere has since seen an increase in the number of mares being bred to SH time.

Obviously going forward, it’s the black-type winners in the SH that will ensure Frankel retains the interest of the local breeders. You would have to be hopeful that this is only a matter of time. John Singleton’s filly Miss Fabulass (won impressively this week at Canterbury) looks a promising type, so hopefully she will fly the flag for her sire this season.

We firmly believe Frankel’s 2018 fee represents great value and provides a great opportunity for SH breeders. - Shane Horan

Frankel’s fee remains at £80,000, which it has been for the last three SH seasons, despite the upward trajectory of his NH stud fee. The staunch Asian interest in the progeny of Frankel is something we have seen continue to grow and this has spilled into the SH marketplace, which has helped drive up the prices of his yearlings. First and foremost, it has always been Juddmonte’s aim to offer good value to breeders. We firmly believe Frankel’s 2018 fee represents great value and provides a great opportunity for SH breeders.

GK: Could you mention some of the breeders and/or mares that have supported him?

SH: We have been very fortunate to have had some of the world’s most prominent breeders supporting Frankel on SH time. They include Aquis Farm, Ashtown Bloodstock, Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, Avontuur Estate, Cressfield, Fairway Thoroughbreds, Glentree Pastoral, Go Bloodstock, John Hutchins, Kevin Hickman, Qatar Bloodstock, SF Bloodstock, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa, Sir Peter Vela, Strawberry Hill Stud, Waratah Thoroughbreds and Yulong Investments.

GK: Kingman has made a tremendous start with his 2-year olds (including ‘TDN Rising Star’ Calyx {GB}, impressive winner of the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot). How do you feel his progeny would be suited to Australian racing?

SH: Many noted judges from the SH who visited the farm have expressed their interest in Kingman and believe that a horse with his racing aptitude, electric turn of foot and physique would ideally suit their fast, powerful and precocious mares.

Kingman at Juddmonte

Perhaps his greatest appeal is that he is the highest rated son of the world class Invincible Spirit (Ire), whose Australian born son I Am Invincible continues to go from strength to strength as a stallion Down Under. His SH fee of £35,000 was set before his first crop of NH 2-year olds starting running, so again his SH fee offers great value and an excellent opportunity for breeders to avail of a very exciting young stallion.

Many noted judges from the SH who visited the farm have expressed their interest in Kingman and believe that a horse with his racing aptitude, electric turn of foot and physique would ideally suit their fast, powerful and precocious mares. - Shane Horan

GK: Was there ever serious consideration given to shuttling any of these stallions?

SH: Many of the best stallion farms in the SH have shown their interest, which is a great compliment to our roster but there is no desire to shuttle any of our current stallions.

Video: Kingman's brilliant son Calyx, winner of the G2 Coventry S.

GK: You’ve attended a couple of the yearling sales in Australia over recent years. What’s your opinion of the market/racing scene?

SH: It seems each year the sales and racing scene becomes more and more international. The best SH horses have proved themselves to be a serious threat on the world stage and, in particular, the sprinters. The sales scene is very vibrant and healthy where often the best stock is offered for sale as opposed to being raced by their breeders. This has perhaps been the most important factor in attracting the biggest buyers--that and the excellent prize-money.

The horse racing Down Under is also thriving. It is a very enjoyable day out and encourages participation from all walks of life. Also, when a horse race can instigate a national holiday--you know you have a great product!