Newsletter
Dear Breeder
In the 26 years since Bearstone Stud was founded we have seen many changes. Over the years our policy of continuous improvement and controlled expansion has seen what started as a 20 acre cattle farm expand to cover 340 acres and comprise three farms. We find that having the three farms 1 mile and 3 miles apart is invaluable when it comes to splitting foaling, barren and weaned mares, colts and fillies.
Our policy when it comes to stallions has always been to try and stand sound, tough racehorses who have been vigorously campaigned, and have that all-important ingredient - speed.
VITAL EQUINE - We are very excited by our new stallion for 2008. VITAL EQUINE demonstrates all those qualities we look for in a potential stallion. He was precocious, winning his first 3 starts at 2 and breaking his maiden over 6 furlongs on the 10th May. He has speed in abundance, setting a new 2yo course record time when beating subsequent Classic winner Cockney Rebel in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes, allied with that ‘grit’ necessary to be successful in top level racing. As Racing Post said of his 2yo Group success “he never flinched when attackers came at him on both sides...” His close second in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, when he finished ahead of Group 1 winner Dutch Art, was achieved in the third fastest ever time for the race.
Not only does Vital Equine have the essential racing attributes, he has a pedigree of equal distinction. By Danetime, sire in 2007 of Group 1 winner Myboycharlie, he represents the phenomenally successful Danzig / Sharpen Up cross which has already produced the outstanding stallions Danehill Dancer and Invincible Spirit, as well as Horse of the Year elect Dylan Thomas. He is the only Group winner by his sire at stud in Europe. On his dam’s side he is descended from European Champion 3yo Filly Behera. We are very encouraged by the high level of enquiries we have received about him since his retirement was announced and look forward to a great future with him.
INDESATCHEL - is a good-looking horse who also exhibited speed and toughness. He won his maiden as a 2yo and was placed in two Group races that season. At 3 he completed a hat trick of victories, including two Group races and made up a vast amount of ground to be an unlucky fast-finishing head second to Shamardal in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp. He rounded off the season with a Timeform rating of 120 and was rated the equal at 3 of 2,000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand.
His sire, dual Group winning two-year-old Danehill Dancer, is the sire of leading sire sensation Choisir. We are eager to see his first foals.
FIREBREAK - Despite the fact that Firebreak came to us too late in the season to be able to go into the stallion books he covered a good first book of quality mares and the quality was maintained this season. We are delighted with him, as he has now let down in to a smashing-looking stallion. He is a correct individual with a wonderful temperament and we are looking forward to seeing ifhis first yearlings are as ‘laid back’ as their sire.
REEL BUDDY - had a successful first season with his runners achieving 28 wins and places including Reel Gift’s second in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot. His six yearlings sold at Doncaster averaged £15,900. His sire, Mr Greeley, has produced eight Group 1 winners to date including in 2007 the Bolger-trained pair of dual Guineas winner Finsceal Beo and 2yo dual Group winner Saoirse Abu. He is now widely regarded as one of the top 10 stallions in the world and is showing very promising signs of becoming a successful sire of sires with one of his sons getting a Breeders’ Cup winner this year.
MIND GAMES - has had some terrific yearling sales this year at Tattersalls with a top price of 120,000gns, and figures of 65,000gns and 52,000gns. Although remaining in our ownership he has moved to David and Teresa Futter’s Yorton Farm for 2008, to stand alongside Primo Valentino.
We would like to thank all the breeders who have used our stallions and extend a warm welcome to all clients, old and new.
Regards
TERRY HOLDCROFT