Some one asked me recently what the most valuable horse on our place is.
Without hesitation I replied, “Time Stands Still”.
“But he’s old and out of fashion,” questioned that concerned “some one”!
This very well bred stallion has “good” average stats as well as creating a reasonable name as a broodmare sire, might be old (22) and unfashionable (what ever that is) but yes, he is the most valuable horse on our property.
He is such an integral part of our business because he is a teasing magician. Without his profound teasing ability our conception rate would be way harder to achieve and October to February would be way more frustrating.
He possesses an innate sense of a mare’s particular “requirements” to provoke a response and can convey to us her oestrus status. Just as importantly, he can identify when a mare is pregnant, even in the infrequent event she appears to be on heat!
He can “tell” us if she is coming on, going off or “just right’!
Once the mares are comfortable with him they themselves become easier to detect and definitely cycle more strongly. His patience with difficult mares that have issues is astounding.
We are mindful of the fact that he needs a reward every now and then. His temperament affords easy handling for natural service which is sometimes requested, or he is happy to make use of the “plastic pony”!
We have never considered using anything other than a stallion with an affable temperament. Apart from the fact he can pay for his keep with a service fee or three, he has the right amount of testosterone to do the job!
Bred in Canada in 1993, Time Stands Still is by Apaches Fame (US) who went 1:51.8 back in the eighties. His dam is Immortal (US), a granddaughter of Albatross on her maternal line and Most Happy Fella US on her sire line.
During his campaign, Time Stands Still, won just on $360,000 in the nineties producing his best mile rate of 1:52.2.
He was brought to Tasmania after a short term at breeding in the US where he was under the management of extremely popular stud master and racing identity, Lee Plunkett.
After Lee’s untimely death, this stallion ended up in Victoria for a while and was then sold to Neville Dawson in Sydney, breeding two seasons worth of youngsters.
I sourced him to fill a request for a Ticket to Heaven mare as Lee Plunkett had planned. Neville very kindly leased him to us and he is now with us for the rest of his days which hopefully will not be any time soon.
From his 494 Aussie bred foals he has so far produced 216 starters with 114 of those winning and an aggregate winnings total of $3,170,025. From 105 grand kids, 24 of his 38 starters have been victors.
His stats can still improve as he has young stock not yet old enough to prove themselves.
Sue Streit
Approved By Dean Baring for www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing