The actions speak louder than words theme runs deep at Oakland Park Stud.
The Western Australian farm of Neville and Susan Duncan is home to Safeguard (Exceed And Excel), who owns a pedigree to be proud of and got off the mark at Ascot on Saturday when his 2-year-old daughter Specialism won the Seppelt Wines Plate.
The Paul Jordan-trained filly was on debut and was just her sire’s fourth race day representative.
Specialism winning the Seppelt Wines Plate
“It was a good win coming off a 400 metre trial and she burned to lead early and was strong to the line,” Neville Duncan said.
“We like to let the horses do the talking and in the next 12 months there’ll be more on the tracks we’ll see then how good they are or not.” – Neville Duncan.
“We like to let the horses do the talking and in the next 12 months there’ll be more on the tracks we’ll see then how good they are or not.
“I’ve got two of my own in the system, but it’s more about next year and the one after. We’d rather have longevity in our horses.”
The 300-acre Oakland Park has their place in history as the breeder of the two-time Group 1 winner and Australia’s 2003 Horse of the Year Northerly (Serheed {USA}). They raced him with trainer Kersley.
Neville and Sue Duncan
“After he won the Cox Plate I banned him from our advertising for a decade – anybody can breed one good horse,” Duncan said.
“Don’t get me wrong, it gives you the warm fuzzies at home, but you have to look forward and not back at yesterday.” – Neville Duncan
“Don’t get me wrong, it gives you the warm fuzzies at home, but you have to look forward and not back at yesterday.”
Multiple Group 2 winner and Group 1 placegetter Marasco (Scenic {IRE}) was another leading performer for the Duncan and Kersley combination.
Neville Duncan and Northerly
Safeguard was an unbeaten 2-year-old with victory in the G3 Kindergarten S., emphasising his quality and the following season he won the G3 Vain S., when trained by Peter Snowden.
At the end of his 13-start career, he was brought to Western Australia by Oakland Park in partnership with Mogumber Park Stud where he stood his first two seasons.
“There’s nothing too complicated about him, he’s not aggressive.” - Neville Duncan
“There’s nothing too complicated about him, he’s not aggressive,” Duncan said. “He’s quite a compact stallion.
Safeguard
“He reminds me a little bit of a Rory’s Jester type, a similar disposition.”
Safeguard, who will serve up to 40 mares this season, is out of G1 VRC Sires’ Produce S., and G2 Magic Night S., winner Preserve (Canny Lad) and she has a 100 per cent record at stud.
All 10 of her foals to race have been successful and also includes the G3 Red Anchor S., winner Archives (Helmet).
Preserve is a half-sister to the G1 Golden S., winner and sire Denman (Lonhro) and the family of the G2 Danehill S., winner Soul (Commands).
