We have seen the emergence of a number of highly talented Contributer’s in the early part of December. There has been some strong performances by his offspring on both sides of the Tasman which suggests he’s in store for an exciting summer of racing.
The exciting Tevere made light work of her opposition when strolling home easily to win the rating 74 1200m contest at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Trained out of Ballymore Stables in Matamata, Pam Gerard holds the daughter of Contributer in high regard.
“I thought Tevere was great and looking at her record you could make a case that she should be unbeaten. She has won three from six and didn’t have much luck when she did get beaten.”
“Gordon Cunningham, who bred and races her, has been very patient and let us take our time and that is starting to pay dividends now.
“We will be having a discussion this week about where we go next and there are a number of options. We could let her make her way through the grades or aim a little higher and go for a race like the Hallmark Stud Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, so there are decisions to make.”
Over in Australia, Untouchable Ed made sure everyone took notice of him with an eye-catching victory on debut over 1300m at Bendigo. Trainer Symon Wilde has a big wrap on the son of Contributer but instructed jockey Harry Coffey to let him find his feet early on in his first race day appearance.
"He wasn't brilliantly away and my instructions were to not be too excited, he was in the market but they wanted him to get cover and learn a lot from the experience" Coffey said.
"I just bided my time out the back of the field, he was really green, moving around in the run a lot. He took a lot of guiding, he's still very new still, very raw.”
"When I pulled him out in the straight I thought, 'oh we'll get home and run a nice third' and then I gave him one with the whip on his backside and he took off into top gear and was too good."
"He'll go on and win nicer races," Coffey said. "Another 1400-metre race maybe for him next time because he has to go up in grade and it's tougher but after that a mile and beyond will be his go.
"It's pretty exciting to see what he can do when he knows what's going on because today he was pretty green."
Air of Alsace was another impressive Australian winner, the filly showed a sharp turn of foot to win fresh up over 1200m at Kembla Grange for trainer Jason Coyle.
Bred by our good client Hamish Esplin, he has been a massive supporter of Contributer so we are thrilled to see his filly win in fine style so early on in her career.
Aramis, a $150,000 2020 NZB Ready to Run Graduate from the Mapperley Stud draft won with authority at his 2nd start for Sydney based trainer Mark Newnham.
Out of the O’Reilly mare Bella Carolina, he is a half-brother to Wellesley Stakes winner Tennessee. He looks like an exciting 3 year-old prospect to follow into the Autumn.
Darley home bred Dhakuri registered his 3rd win in Australia with a soft victory on the Kensington track over 1800m. Settling at the rear under a very patient ride by leading jockey James McDonald, he angled out early in the home straight and was too strong finishing over the top of his rivals in a dominant display.
Contributer is finishing off a fantastic 2021 breeding season which saw him cover a full book of quality mares. Add in the fact that we achieved his best fertility rate of his stud career, it’s been a massively successful season for the son of High Chaparral. Thank you to all the breeders who supported him this year with their mares.
The NZB yearling sale catalogue was released earlier this week for the sale being held in March. Contributer is well represented with a quality line-up of 22 yearlings throughout the week-long sale at Karaka. We are looking forward to showing off our 2022 yearling draft when the on-farm parades start up in the new year.
Photo Credit: Race Images