The first season a stallion stands at stud is always a nervous time for his owners as they wait to see if the breeders will share their enthusiasm for their pride and joy.
Woodlands Stud have been around long enough to know that one season doesn't make or break a stallion but it certainly helps the nerves when quality mares continue to roll in the front gates one after another.
This season Woodlands have made their first major pacing purchase for some time in the form of Sweet Lou and have been thrilled with the quality of the mares he will cover.
Woodlands started the ball rolling with the champion mare Adore Me 1.47.7 26 wins ($1,677,000) and sent a couple of other high quality mares as well.
These were Splendid Bet 1:57.9 who is a full sister to Dream About Me 1:53.3 ($425,054) and a half sister to Christen Me 1:49.1 ($2,325,592) and Hands Christian 1:52.5 ($330,824) while the second mare is Revere who is a full sister to Adore Me and Have Faith In Me 1:52.5 ($571,604)
The quality of the outside mares is just as good and is headed by mares such as Times Flies 1:52.1 ($624,230) and Running On Faith 1:56 ($326,890) who has already produced The Faithful ($73,162)
Other mares in New Zealand to have taken our eye that have been served by Sweet Lou include:
* Achieve A Dream – Dam of Arden's Darlin 1:57.2 ($245,829) Two year old filly of the year
* Stella Franco – Dam of River Black 1:57.3 ($143,558)
* Run To Vegas – A Bettors Delight half sister to Percy The Punter 1:56.4 ($332,067)
* Zagami – Full sister to the brilliant Lizzie Maguire 1:55.1 ($477,366)
* Love A Gamble – A Bettors Delight half sister to Gomeo Romeo 1:53.2 ($340,193)
* Spirit Of Art 1:56.5 ($55,703) – Half sister to Crown Law 1:51.4 ($208,885), Bettor Spirits 1:53.8 ($145,383) and Spirit and Desire 1:55.9 ($126,151)
* Can't Teach That 1:56.1 ($67,961) – Won Young Guns heat and third in final. Maiden mare.
* Delightful Song 1:56.8 ( $61,115) – Young Bettors Delight mare
* Kai Bree Shee 1:55.5 ($ 52,115) – Washington VC mare in her second year at stud.
The quality from the other side of the Tasman has been just as good and has been headed by the likes of the Bettors Delight mare Benediction 1:57.8 ($161,235) who is a full sister to the latest Australian star Devendra 1:52 ($251,973) and the imported Artsplace mare Contrapan 1:55 ($113,879) who has produced Chasin Racin 1:51 ($763,977) and Border Control 1:50.6 ($515,435)
Other Australian mares to have taken our eye that have been served by Sweet Lou include;
* Elizabeth Kelly – A half sister to McRaes Mate 1:51.8 ($482,053), Greg Kelly 1:56.4 ($345,150) and Albert Kelly 1:57.2 ($322,320)
* Faithful Sally 1:59.6 ($48,779) – Dam of the very promising Faithful Gabby ( won 10 from 19)
* Loving You 1:55 ($97,229) – A half sister to Arousing 1:56.6 ($119,663) – Maiden mare
* Clintons Maid 1:55.8 ($81,947) – Has already produced Our Priddy Maid 1:57.3
* Here For The Money 1:57.9 ($81,874) – Dam is a half sister to Duel Prince 1:57 ($163,902)
* Smile With Me 1:57.7 ($80,819) – Dam a half sister to ten winners including Lewinsky Franco 1:51.2 ($172, 253)
* Diamonds A Blaze 1:55.8 ($71,572) – Dam a half sister to five winners including Lagoon Lady 1:57.3 ($203,182)
* Ezee Duzit Lombo 1:57.5 ($70,816) – Her dam Ezee Lombo 1:58.3 ($53,655) was a half sister to nine winners
* Miss Zo Zo – 1:57.1 ($66,970) – A half sister to Saint Michael 1:51.1 ($677,287) and No Ah Saint 1:54.3 ($230,435)
* Spring Echelon 1:58.9 ($64,235) – Already the dam of four winners including Secretary Of State 1:55 ($72,491)
* Machine Gun Bonnie 1:57.4 ($62,744) – Maiden mare
* Robyn Scherbotsky 2:00.6 ($56,925) – Her dam is a full sister to Kliklite 1:56.7 ($156,215) and a half sister to the dam of The Court Owl 1:57.6 ($476,785)
It is hard to remember a better book of mares being sent to a first season stallion so Sweet Lou has been given a great opportunity.
Woodlands co-proprietor Andrew Grierson has been thrilled with the quality of mares that Sweet Lou has served.
" The quality has been superb and that will ensure that Sweet Lou is given every chance to establish himself as a sire.
" His fertility has been brilliant from day one and that coupled with his great temperament has made our job at the stud so much easier."
" I can't wait to see the foals on the ground next spring," Andrew said.
Harnesslink Media