Bertolini, early leader of the 2005-06 NZ first season sires' list
Of the 23 stallions that began stud duties in New Zealand in 2002, ten have had raceday runners in Australasia to date, and four, Bertolini, Postponed, Black Minnaloushe and Spectatorial have already posted their first winners. This is a faster start than the 25-strong "Class of 2001", which took a month longer to match that performance.
Rich Hill Stud's Bertolini (Danzig-Aquilegia) has made a tremendous impact with his first crop of European two-year-olds. Twenty-seven have won, and three are stakeswinners, including Donna Blini (Cheveley Park S. G1). Their success has been reflected in Bertolini's northern hemisphere sale results and his stud fee, which is now £15,000 – almost six times his New Zealand fee of $6,500.
Bertolini currently heads the New Zealand First Crop Sires' list with the stakeswinner Xbert and stakes-placed Kincaple Dancer from his first six runners - both performances coming in the CJC Welcome S. LR earlier this month. They are among the 53 foals in Bertolini's first southern hemisphere crop.
Postponed (Summer Squall-Bridal Tea), standing at $5,500, has received strong support this season at Stoneybridge. His solitary New Zealand starter to date, IfIonlyhadtime, followed up two trial wins and a raceday second with victory at Ellerslie on 11 October. He's one of 67 members of Postponed's initial crop.
Windsor Park Stud's Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat-Coral Dance) had four Australasian trial winners and a Trentham stakes-placegetter, Jokers Wild, before his daughter Squall won on debut at New Plymouth on 28 October.
In North America Black Minnaloushe is currently eleventh on the US First Season Sires' List with 13 winners from 42 runners, among them G3 winner and G1-placed Stream Cat. His 2006 northern hemisphere fee will be $US10,000; here he stands at $12,000. His first crop totals 95 foals.
Spectatorial (Spectrum-Reign of Honour) stands at Hallmark Stud at a fee of $6,500 and, like Postponed, got his first winner with his first starter, Blue Skies at Te Rapa on 5 November. The filly then ran a game second at Otaki on 24 November. Spectatorial's first crop numbers 29 foals.
Australian-based Viscount is the only other sire on the New Zealand list with a winner, but Traditionally, Danzighill, Sudurka, Keeper, San Luis and Magic Ring (who has already stood several season in Australia) have all had New Zealand starters.
So far, two New Zealand-based stallions appear on the 2005-06 Australian First Season Sires' List (to 16 November). They are Black Minnaloushe and Indian Danehill, with one runner each.
- Susan Archer
