2006 NZTBA Stallion Register published this week

The cover of the NZTBA's 2006 Stallion Register, featuring Champion sires past and present, Sir Tristram (right) and his son Zabeel, at Cambridge Stud.

A striking computer-generated image of Zabeel and Sir Tristram at Cambridge Stud features on the cover of the NZTBA's 2006 Stallion Register, now being mailed to members in New Zealand and overseas. New Zealand members should receive their copies this week. As seriously wintry weather continues around the country, members are advised to keep an eye out for their packages, so they're not damaged by rain, hail or snow!

Volume 33 of the Register of Thoroughbred Stallions of New Zealand, published since 1951 by the NZTBA, features 121 advertised stallions, 112 with full page listings and nine half-page entries. The total includes ten new sires standing their first New Zealand season in 2006: Cabrera (Manorshire Stud), Castledale (Te Runga Stud), Duelled (Dormello Stud), Gold Centre (Newmarket Lodge), Keeninsky (The Oaks), Mr Nancho (Stoney Bridge Waikato), Ruff Nipper (Mattkar Stables), Storming Home(Stoney Bridge), St Reims (Stoney Bridge Waikato) and Zenno Rob Roy (Java Thoroughbreds).

The large format introduced in 2003 allows the inclusion of photographs and five-generation pedigrees with the full-page entries. The standardised page layout for each horse, from Al Akbar to Zenno Rob Roy, enables breeders to make direct comparisons of conformation, pedigrees, and race & stud records.

Advertised stallions are listed by region, stud fee, year to stud, sire and distance index, advertising studs are marked on regional maps and all known New Zealand thoroughbred studs and stallions are listed with location and contact details.

Supporting content includes:

• Historical Record of Shuttle Stallions, 2000-2006
• 2006 Yearling Sale Averages (listed by sire)
• Fertility Figures for the 2004 foal crop
• Leading Australasian Sires and Grand-sires of Stakeswinners since 1939-40
• Champion New Zealand Sires – complete historical lists
• International Sire Tables – for the last completed season
• Deletions & Movements

Champion Sires of the Past, a feature introduced four years ago, is continued in this year's volume with the listing of Fairdale Stud's great sire Pakistan II whose 11% SW/foals would still place him in the front rank of modern Australasian sires.

A welcome new feature this year is a list of New Zealand stallions ranked by Average Earnings Index for last season (headed by Haunui Farm's Almutawakel) and this season to 30 April (topped by Rich Hill Stud's Pentire). This reflects the NZTBA's recognition of the need for alternative methods of analysing stallion performance, alongside the traditional financial sires' premierships and percentage of stakeswinners to foals.

However, the Register is much more than the definitive source of New Zealand stud & stallion information. The Association is always expanding the additional information which now includes:

• New Zealand Breeding Award Winners
• New Zealand Horses of the Year since 1974
• Industry Statistics (incl. NZ Group One winners 2005-06, and NZ-bred international Group One winners, to 15 May)
• New Zealand Free Handicaps – for the past four seasons
• Essential Websites
• Stud Web & Email Addresses
• Registered Names of New Zealand Group Races
• Trade Directory

The Register is part of the NZTBA membership package and joining the Association now is the best way to receive the 2006 edition.

- Susan Archer