What American mares have proven successful in Australia?
My role as a Bloodstock Agent is to assist my clients in selecting the best possible bloodstock as well as staying up to date on the best emerging sirelines and outcross opportunities suitable for different markets.
There are several successful American bloodlines that have complimented our domestic sires, with the gene pool in Australia heavily dominated by Danehill blood. The importation of American mares provides the opportunity to look for fresh outcross options to inject new, fresh blood into our stock.
American blood has become increasingly valuable to the Australian market in recent years, as reflected by importation figures. In 2017, the Australian Stud Book reports that 62 North American mares were imported into Australia, 43 in 2019 and another 26 in 2020 – despite COVID limiting physical access to sales for Australians. This is likely due to the focus on speed that, like Australia, is prioritised by American breeders. The difference, however, comes in the racing style, where American racing favours fast early race sectionals and sustained speed over the full distance, while in Australia, tactical speed, and the requirement for acceleration over the final 600m is most crucial.
Crossing American Mares with Stallions
Several stallions seem to be complemented particularly well by American mares. No surprises for guessing that these sires tend to have Danehill in their pedigree! Snitzel is a sire who has worked well with American mares – Group 1-winning sprint sons Wild Ruler and Russian Revolution are from mares with the USA suffix as is South African Group 1 winner Heavenly Blue, and Sweet Idea’s damsire is the American stallion Timber Country. A staggering 14 of Fastnet Rock’s 33 Group 1 winners are from mares whose sires carried the USA suffix.
According to TDN AusNZ in 2017 – 2018, there were 17 yearlings from American mares which sold for over $500,00 at the two major Australian sales, whilst on the track, American dams produced seven Group 1 winners in Australia between 2016 – 2018.
Other successful American dams include:
- Star Band by Dixieland Band – Dam of G1 winner I Am A Star.
- Patrona by Lamond – Dam of multiple G1 winner and Champion sire Exceed & Excel.
- Forest Native by Forest Wildcat – Dam of G1 winner and sire Foxwedge.
- Aspen Falls by Hennessy – Dam of G1 winner Irish Lights
- Doulmera by Mr. Greeley – Dam of multiple G2 winner Four Moves Ahead and G3 winner Emeralds.
- Dream Play by Hennessy – Dam of G2 winner & stallion Zululand.
- Heart Ashley by Lion Heart – Dam of Australian-bred G3 Japanese winner Fiano Romano.
In America, racehorses are trained to jump and run fast, no matter what distance. This speed is a good fit with Australian speed. This speed, as well as physical characteristics and genuine outcross pedigrees are just some of the many factors to consider which mares are suitable for importing to optimise your broodmare band.
Read more: What should I be looking for in an American mare to bring to Australia?
https://boomerbloodstock.com.au/learning/buying-american-mares/1126/
