Vinery Stud’s bloodstock manager Adam White isn’t surprised at the level of sustained support that breeders have shown Ole Kirk.
Ole Kirk is just finishing his third book at Vinery ahead of his first yearlings being offered at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale from January 9 to 16. There were 119 live foals out of that initial book and 39 of them have been catalogued for the all-important first major of the season.
White recalls the response from broodmare owners immediately after Vinery announced Ole Kirk would be joining its stallion roster at the conclusion of his racing career. He was one of the most sought-after stud prospects in the country in the wake of a Group 1 double in the ATC Golden Rose (1400m) and MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
”He won the Talindert Stakes at Flemington as an autumn 2yo and got better as a spring 3yo in Sydney and Melbourne,” White said this week. ”He’s a good-looking son of Written Tycoon and the fact he’s also Danehill-free gave some of our leading breeders the confidence to send a wide range of mares to him as far as pedigree is concerned.”
Ole Kirk is bred in the purple through his dam Naturale (Bel Esprit) who is a full-sister to Black Caviar and a half-sister to All Too Hard. “By the time his first crop hit the ground, those breeders soon learned he was also very consistent with the type of horse he was leaving. They’re all quality and a lot like his female family that’s renowned for being super-strong through the hindquarter.
“We kept hearing the word ‘consistent’ in the feedback after his first crop of weanlings hit the sales. He’s just so consistent with the type of foal he’s leaving here at Vinery, too.”
Ole Kirk covered 170 mares in his first season and backed that up with books of 160 in his second and third years. “The support from breeders has been terrific,” White said. “His own breeder Rick Jamieson has sent some lovely Stakes winning and Stakes producing mares.
“Breeders such as John Muir, John & Brett Cornish, George Altomonte, Robert Crabtree, Ian & Linda Duckworth, Bruce Neil, Newhaven, Stuart Ramsey, Bob Peters, Kia Ora, Widden, Hamish Esplin and China Horse Club, to mention just a few, have also been very supportive.
“Our own partners and clientele have also backed Ole Kirk to a degree that can only be seen as a real positive for his chances at stud.’
White was among those in attenance for North Bloodstock’s first Magic Millions Yearling Sale parades last week. It’s the inaugural draft from North Bloodstock owner Mick Malone who is a well-respected industry figure after many years managing Kitchwin Hills.
Lot 48: Ole Kirk – Pop Girl (Snitzel) colt takes pride of place as the first North yearling to go under the hammer at public auction and he’s among several lots being offered as agent for Neil Werrett. “Hia dam won at Warwick Farm and he’s a dead-ringer for Ole Kirk,” Malone said. “He’s got everything you like to see and there’s plenty of scope in him, too.”
Lot 165: Ole Kirk – Serene Majesty (Fastnet Rock) colt is a half-brother to Brisbane Stakes performer California Surreal (I Am Invincible). Their dam won a Group 3 at Caulfield and she is a half-sister to Brisbane Stakes performer Curdled (All Too Hard). “It’s a beautiful pedigree and she looks like a 2yo who can keep progressing into classic filly.
Lot 244: Ole Kirk – Steamboat Sally (Snizel) filly is from a half-sister to Group 2 juvenile winner Gunnison (ATC Todman Stakes). “She’s my favourite,” Malone admitted. “The buyer will have plenty to work with when they get this one going.”
