When the team at Goodtime Lodge came to the conclusion that it was time to bolster their stallion ranks with a trotting sire, they instantly realised a lot of work was needed to make the right call on a stallion. It was vital that their selection would enable them (and more importantly their clients) to have a smooth and successful transition into the more traditional form of harness racing.
The starting point was to identify what family/families have been producing the most outstanding sires in the sport. What’s abundantly clear in NA, is the brilliance of the U1,U2 and the U3 for leading the way on the sires tables.
In 2018 season listed on USTA the top five sires are exclusively from just these 3 families
The table above also highlights the brilliance of Chapter Seven, a U2 stallion with just 204 foals of racing age, yet still having amassed $7,049,878 in offspring earnings for the season.
So the decision was made that the stallion should come from one of these three families if possible.
The search ultimately turned up a U2 hidden gem by the name of Cardigan Boko.
Some family members of note:
Cardigan Boko SWE ( Who was born in Sweden and imported to Australia is from the very powerful U2 Family), he is by the former champion Italian trotter and exceptional sire Varenne (Tr 1:51.2).
Cardigan Boko SWE was purchased as a weanling by Perth owner Neven Botica, and he raced exclusively in Victoria and Western Australia.
A winner of 22 races from just 38 starts, the $141,027 in career earnings, was seriously restricted because of his injury plagued career, this however didn’t stop him setting five track records at Gloucester Park, Bunbury and Pinjarra at different stages of his career.
Clive Dalton (the husband of Annie Dalton, one of the best prepares of yearlings in the country ),who trained him in WA , said: “Had he been sound he could have been something special. He had speed to burn. I clocked him to run a quarter in 26.8 at Pinjarra one day.”
I’m told that Cardigan Boko, is a sensational looking stallion and breeders will be able to breed to him with confidence, whether they are targeting yearling sales or keeping his offspring to race.
The below pedigree highlights the outstanding blood this horse has flowing through his veins. In particular take note of his exceptionally strong dam line and the wonderful family ( U1) of his broodmare sire, American winner.
When we spoke to Ian Slater today, he went on to say, “To think we can make a stallion with a pedigree like this available fresh around Australia at an affordable amount is so exciting, we really look forward to helping as many trotting breeders as possible”.
The team at Goodtime Lodge will have packages (after discounts) that will guarantee breeders they can breed to a fresh stallion, that had speed to burn, with a world class pedigree for just under the $2,000.
If you would like to find out more or wish to arrange an inspection please feel free to contact Ian and Judi Slater:
60 Woodrowvale Road
ELLIMINYT VIC 3250
Phone: (03) 5232 2540
Fax: (03) 5231 2497
Mobile: 0419 887 311
Email:info@goodtimelodge.com.au
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
