Norzita sale heralds Big change

The passing of founder and owner Dato Tan Chin Nam last October has understandably changed the nature of the Think Big business. Duncan Ramage, Bloodstock & Racing Manager to the Malaysian businessman's estate, confirmed that Norzita's sale was the latest step towards a simplified business model.

"Since Dato Tan passed way late last year, we now operate through a strict budget and the sale of Norzita will greatly assist that budget. That's the primary and driving force behind it," Ramage told TDN AusNZ.

"We now operate as a racing company, Think Big Stud Proprietary Limited. At the moment, we operate under a budget, so we will continue to race some horses but it won’t be as expansive as it was with Dato around. We don’t have the largesse of a proprietor to make budgetary changes."

"We won’t have Dato deciding that we need some more horses, or not as the case may be. We won’t have the discretionary spending that he could bring to the table."

Norzita, who won the 2012 G1 Flight S and the 2013 Vinery Stud S. was the final Group 1 winner for the iconic owner and trainer partnership of Dato Tan and Bart Cummings.

That partnership was founded on the success of dual Melbourne Cup winner Think Big (NZ) (Sobig {NZ}), after which Dato Tan named his stud, acquired in 2007.

But as Dato Tan reached his 90s, the business model of a breeding operation, which yielded longer-term rewards, appealed less and Think Big reduced its broodmare band from around 40 to now be in single figures. It also leased the stud out to Lime Country Thoroughbreds, which is operated by Greg and Jo Griffin.

"The breeding strategy was too long term, so we have been really reducing the mares consistently. There is only about eight or nine left," Ramage said. "Now Dato is not there, our ability to support Norzita like she should be by sending her to stallions like Snitzel, is not going to be there."

"We don't have a property to breed from so the driving force of breeding horses is not there."

Snitzel mating part of the plan

The decision to send Norzita, a relatively young broodmare at aged nine, to Snitzel was very much based around her appeal as a broodmare. Her colt by Fastnet Rock sold for $660,000 at last year's Inglis Easter Sale.

"Whoever gets her is going to benefit from our strategic plan to do just that. We didn’t serve her the season before as she was starting to get a bit late on, so we served her early this year, so she'll have an August foal by Snitzel," Ramage said.

"It's not something customarily Dato has done previously. But with her it’s a different story. She's been very fertile, she's only had four covers in her life and has been in foal for every one of them. The beneficiary will be whoever decides they want her in their broodmare band."

While the breeding operation has been scaled back, the famous black, white and yellow colours will still have a substantial presence at Australian racecourses.

Sky Boy, by Think Big's own stallion Pendragon (NZ), last month won the G2 Villiers S. and is destined to contest Group 1 races such as the Doncaster Mile in the autumn.

Star mare adds more quality to Chairman's Sale

Norzita's presence at the Chairman's Sale is a significant boost for Inglis, who announced last week that Group 2 winning mare Snitty Kitty (Snitzel) would also go through the sale.

“She’s the complete package,’’ Inglis’ NSW Bloodstock Manager Chris Russell said of Norzita.

“For starters, she was the Champion 3YO filly of a crop that is regarded as one of the best in Australian racing history."

“She is a beautiful mare, that is producing good-looking stock – her Fastnet Rock yearling last year was a particularly good colt and is apparently well regarded at Lindsay Park."

He first foal, Carif (So You Think {NZ}) remains in Think Big's ownership and had three starts in his first campaign last spring for Peter and Paul Snowden. He had a recent trial at Randwick is and is set to resume in the coming weeks.

The Fastnet Rock 2-year-old Russell mentioned was purchased by Aquis Farm, Lindsay Park and Andrew Williams Bloodstock, is now named Confidant. Think Big Stud remain in the ownership of him as well and the colt is listed as spelling. There is also a yearling filly by So You Think.

Danehill-free boost

The significant factor for potential buyers is that Norzita is free of Danehill (USA) blood, opening up a wealth of stallion options moving forward according to Inglis General Manager of Bloodstock Sales Sebastian Hutch.

"She's a filly that can be mated to just about every major commercial stallion in Australia. Be it Snitzel, I Am Invincible, Fastnet Rock, Zoustar or Written Tycoon. I don’t want to single out specific stallions, but there is a great versatility in how she can be mated," Hutch said.

"She's got great depth to her pedigree. Her third dam (Summoned) is one of the most influential mares of contemporary Australian breeding history,"

"She's already a mare that has produced a $660,000 Easter Yearling in 2018, she has demonstrated that she breeds good looking stock. She really is a very, very special offering."

Whoever decides to snap her up is likely to have deep pockets, with Inglis expecting a broad range of interest in her, from the major studs, to private breeders to the growing band of international investors in Australia.

"International investors are very cognisant of the opportunities breeding in Australia presents. What a better way to embellish a broodmare band for an international participant or an established one, than with a mare like Norzita," Hutch said.

For Ramage, he'd just love the mare to find a home which can support her potential as one of Australia's leading broodmares.

"From a sentimental point of view, I'm sure she'll find herself at a well-positioned farm, very well cared for and have every opportunity," he said.

The Chairman's Sale will be held at Riverside Stables on the evening of Friday May 3.