Real Desire is one of those stallions that has just as many knockers as admirers when you judge his stud career.
As a racehorse he was on a par with the very best horses ever. Starting 40 times , he won 25 and was placed 13 times in a stellar career, earning $3,233,000 and taking a time of US1;48:2. A record few have matched.
So when he went to stud it was expected by breeders that the son of Life Sign would be just as big a star at stud as he had been on the track. And while he has done a great job at stud, he hasn't lived up to those expectations in the eyes of many breeders.
The perception in the marketplace was he had underachieved and we know perception quickly becomes fact with breeders.
Stud stats are a great way of cutting through all the hype and give a very different view of Real Desire than that held by a lot of breeders.
USA - Stakes won - $41,233,000 Winners - 446 $100,000 earners - 120
Sub 1:50 - 26 Sub 1:53 - 136 $500,000 earners - 11
Including such standouts as Tell All $ 1,568,000 and Razzle Dazzle $1,005,000.
A notable winner this year was Little Brown Jug elimination winner Resistance Futile (1:49:3 $238,000 at 3) who is from a daughter of high class NZ mare, Tupelo Rose.
Australia - Stakes won $1,553,000 (from two crops) Winners - 53
From a first crop of 83 now 5yr olds, he has left 44 winners including such smart types as Secret Diary($ 88,000) Desirable Guy ($88,000) - All I Want ($79,000) - Real hammer ($76,000) amongst a host of good performers. From his second crop now 4yr olds he has already left the talented Hezarealgem ($93,000)
New Zealand---Stakes won ($1,532,000) Winners - 62
His oldest are 5yr olds but he has no 4yr olds with his second crop being 3yr olds.
He has left such talented horses such as Let's Elope ($273,000) and Cowgirls N Indians ($375,323) who were leading 2yr olds from his first crop along with Freespin ($70,000) - Secret Desire ($63,000) Speed and Desire ($61,000) and one of NZs leading young trotters in Realmein ($81,000).
Anyway you look at it, it is a great record and one that is contrary to the view of him held by many breeders.
He is the real deal.
JC
This is a series of stallion reviews that Harnesslink are doing with a view to sheading some light on some of the "forgotten"sires in Australasia.
Santanna Blue Chip - On the up and up!
Mr Feelgood - Dual hemisphere champion
Pay Me Christian - Blistering speed
Tinted Cloud - Still going strong
