The maternity ward. Grumpy and uncomfortable mares!!
We are once again on the brink of another exciting season. You can feel it in the air, you can see it in the mares and Dane Shadow confirms it all by the spring in his step, the twinkle in his eye and the power of his bite!
Duporth on the other hand, is not really sure what all the fuss is about although he happily gazes over at the mares in the maternity ward.
Our paddocks will soon be filling up with babies frolicking under the watchful eyes of their proud mums (not to mention their owners). The first batch of mares have been moved into paddocks under lights, and the mares who are next to foal down are within easy reach for around the clock observation. Rosie is suiting up in warm clothing each night as she has begun the dusk til dawn watch.
The old rule of thumb is from date of cover - 11 months, 11 days, 11 hours until birth. Mares however, are very unpredictable especially first timers (maidens) and often disregard “the old rule of thumb”. Mares in general can foal a month either side of their due date and still have a perfectly normal foal. In my experience of foaling mares down, I have only ever seen two or three mares induced - mares can foal 5 weeks after01 their due date and still have a normal foaling.
In most cases things go like clockwork, after all it’s a natural occurrence however, like all births things can turn critical very quickly and it’s a nerve racking time for all involved. Nature has an amazing way dealing with most problems - often, if the foal is not presented properly (we know this at the first instance of labour by gently feeling for the foal"s two front feet and a nose) the mare will reposition the foal by rolling from side to side or getting up and dropping down numerous times which often re-aligns the foal into position. Small corrections by the foaling assistant usually averts any problems.
And what a bunch of beautiful mares we have awaiting their August offspring, to name but a few –
- Vormista (maiden) – winner of the Rose of Kingston Gr2, and 2nd in Gr1 on three occasions. In foal to Redoute’s Choice due 7th Aug.
- Stripper (maiden) – winner of the Sweet Embrace Gr3, and 2nd in the Golden Rose (Duporth won, sorry Mr Cordina). In foal to Henerythenavigator due 8th Aug.
- Kisma – dam of Shellscrape (recent Gr1 Galaxy winner????), in foal to Dane Shadow due 8th Aug.
- Dan Baroness (maiden) – winner of the MVRC Champagne stakes Gr3. In foal to Dane Shadow due 13th Aug.
- Bonaichi (maiden) – stakes winning daughter of Bonanova. In foal to Don Eduardo due 15th Aug.
- Behind (maiden) – 3rd Blue Diamond Prelude Gr3. In foal to Flying Spur due 15th Aug.
- Wiener – Stakes placed half sister to Snitzel & the up and coming star Hinchinbrook. In foal to Encosta De Lago due 20th Aug.
All in all, things are coming along well here at Kitchwin Hills as the horses, staff, property and even the weather has us as a team ready for the busy but exciting season ahead.
We will keep you update as the breeding season approaches.
Is it weird that I’m looking forward to the pleasures of 2am phone calls?
Best of luck to all our owners - Mick
Whats better than winning Lotto?
Winning the Kitchwin 2yo sweepstakes!
How does it work ?
Kitchwin sold 42 yearlings this year, not including pass ins. We have taken the liberty to put all of Kitchwins clients into a pool and if lucky enough, draw out a 2010 yearling out against your name.
Whoever draws the yearling that becomes the best performing 2yo of the season (prizemoney is the deciding factor) wins a $1000 agistment credit or dinner for two with Kitchwins famous " Man From Isis River", Bradley Quinn . Its a tough call but you get to choose. We will keep you posted when these 2yo"s are named, who is training them and of course when they are racing.
We will announce 6 match-ups per week until the 42 yearlings have been drawn. (Please try not to get to worked up about the draw).
The first 6 match-ups are;
1/ John Kelly - Bel Esprit - Dark Star (Magics- $70 000)
2/ Wendy Moran- Canny Lad - Beryl (Classics- $85 000)
3/ Mark Chitty - Commands - Cap Juluca (Easter- $100 000)
4/ Richard Petryowski-Dane Shadow-Kisma (Easter- $230 000)
5/ Mark Crestani-Fastnet Rock-Graceful Devil (Easter-$140 000)
6/ Robert Harding-Redoute"s choice-Asian Reef (Easter-$1.2m)
FROM THE PADDOCK RUNNERS
FRIDAY NIGHT July 23
Singapore
Singapore TC
20:00 Race 4 Initiation P., S$65000 1200m
Dennycrane (AUS) 2006 (G. by Dane Shadow-Lady Guest) - sold for $75k at New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale. Has been close in his 5 starts to date and now needs to go with the job. Good luck to his breeders Mick Malone & Matt Brown.
SATURDAY July 24
Australia
Qld Tatt"s RC
3:16pm Race 6 Carlton Draught Country Cup H., A$50000 1200m
I"m Ruthless (AUS) 2005 (G. by Redoute"s Choice-Bimbo Limbo) - won well last start at the same track over the same distance. Moves out 10 barriers and adds 3.5 kilos. Apparently he is flying however $3 appears a bit short. good luck to his owner breeder Terry Dickson, Gino and friends and Kitchwin.
Macau
Macau JC
19:10 Race 5 Association of Macau Racing Journalists Cup, M$415000 1200m
Vetinari - Bowl Brothers (Mac.) (AUS) 2005 (G. by Hussonet-They Say) - passed in Easter 2007 for $55k . Has won 4 and $160k including last start.Goes well. Good luck to his breeder Carl Holt.
SUNDAY July 25
Australia
Hawkesbury RC
12:20pm Race 1 Ronald McDonald Kids Xmas Maiden H., A$14000 1000m
Dark Arts (AUS) 2006 (G. by Dane Shadow-Sreally Cold) - was a bit disappointing running 7th in his first start after trialling well. Trialed last week in fantastic stile, can improve. Good luck to his breeder Steve Beattie?
12:55pm Race 2 William Crellin Maiden H., A$14000 1000m
Dazzling Diva (AUS) 2006 (F. by Fantastic Light-Beryl) - her breeding suggests she may improve after the first run 10th. Good luck to her breeder owner, Kim Harding.
Star Shadow (AUS) 2006 (F. by Dane Shadow-Star Hussar) - She ran a huge race second up after pulling half the way when 3rd to Dee Lily. If she is good as they say, she will win this. Good luck to his breeder/owner Grahame Mapp.
SCTC
2:35pm Race 5 Contour Engineers H., A$15000 1800m
Bidthemobgooday (AUS) 2005 (F. by Reset-Tully Thunder) - perfect distance, perfect jockey, perfect barrier, flying at work. Over to you. Good luck to her breeder Carl.
3:51pm Race 7 Blacklaw Anniversary Cup H., A$25000 1400m
Shadow Buster (AUS) 2006 . (G. by Dane Shadow-We Love Coffs) - if it was 1600 you could get in line. Bad barrier and 1400 may suggest not this time.
Good luck Gino and friends, his breeder/owners
