Greg and Jo Griffin’s picturesque Lime Country Thoroughbreds in Blandford is gearing up for another breeding season, with new life already gracing the lush paddocks of their fertile nursery.
The Thoroughbred Report spoke with Jo Griffin, who, while still finalising her selections, shared insights about the stallions the operation plans to use. She also discussed the challenges of navigating a market with limited proven options for breeders.
“It’s a unique situation heading into the 2024 breeding season with five top-tier proven stallions off the market, or in Wootton Bassett’s case, moved into a different price bracket. The depletion of many stallions that were available in 2023 has created a challenging landscape for breeders like us.”
Griffin expanded on these absences, saying, “The notable loss of proven stallions like Too Darn Hot, The Autumn Sun, Justify, Written Tycoon, and Exceed And Excel has created a yawning chasm. How often do you see this many proven stallions unavailable in a single season?”
Darley’s Too Darn Hot (GB), crowned Champion First Season Sire, was initially set to return to the Southern Hemisphere but was pulled from shuttle duties earlier in the year. Meanwhile, Darley’s long-standing Champion Sire Exceed And Excel was pensioned from stud duties in March, the same week his son Cylinder emulated his success in the G1 Newmarket H.
The Coolmore stallion Justify (USA) remains at the operation’s North American branch, Ashford, this season but is available on Southern Hemisphere breeding time.
Arrowfield’s The Autumn Sun, who had a huge 2023/24 season, siring three individual Group 1 winners, suffered an untimely accident, injuring his pelvis. Vets advised that he should miss this covering season in the horse’s best interests.
While Champion Sire Written Tycoon, standing at Yulong, is serving a private book.
The next generation
Despite the limited proven options, Griffin is excited about several young stallions and plans to use them this spring, although she has yet to finalise which mares will go to which stallions.
“Even with fewer options, we’ve made some strategic choices. We’re particularly excited about Tassort, Zousain, and Harry Angel,” she said.
Discussing Tassort, who stands at Newgate Farm, Griffin added, “Tassort has delivered in spades so far. He’s backed by the strength of the Emirates broodmare band and the slickness of the Newgate marketing machine.
“I think those who believed in him early will be rewarded, and we’re very happy to be using him at this year’s fee.”
Tassort began his stud career at $11,000 (inc GST). His star daughter Manaal won the G3 Gimcrack S. on debut in the spring and returned in the autumn to win the G1 Sires’ Produce S. The son of Brazen Beau has already made a fast start with his 3-year-old winners, including Ameena, who claimed the G2 Silver Shadow S. last Saturday. Tassort is standing the 2024 season for $38,500 (inc GST).
Darley’s Harry Angel (Ire) also stands for $38,500 (inc GST). “Harry Angel’s impressive early returns from his first crop have caught our attention. His speed is translating exceptionally well to Southern Hemisphere racing.
Tassort will stand for $38,500 inc GST in 2024 | Standing at Newgate
Gallery: Some of the stallions which Lime Country Thoroughbreds will utilise in their 2024 matings
“It’s worth remembering that he was crowned World Champion Sprinter and was rated 132 by Timeform, surpassing all six of The Everest winners. Harry Angel’s impressive record of stakes-winners-to-winners, including a Group 1, ranks fifth among all 3-year-old sires last season from only 65 runners in his first Australian-bred 3-year-old crop, placing him ahead of several Australian Champion Sires.”
Harry Angel, a son of Dark Angel (Ire), has sired the G1 Spring Champion S. victor Tom Kitten and Arkansaw Kid, who recently won the Listed Regal Roller S., having previously won the R. Listed Inglis Banner as a 2-year-old and placed in the G1 Blue Diamond S. Another highlight is Stretan Angel, who won the G2 Danehill S. and the Listed Dequetteville S. and was placed in the G1 Goodwood H.
The other stallion mentioned by Griffin, Zousain, stands at Widden Stud alongside his sire Zoustar. Zousain is available for $27,500 (inc GST) this season.
His smart daughter Drifting recently returned to the track, adding the G3 Quezette S. to her G3 Magic Night S. success. He is also the sire of Zouna, who placed in the G2 Sires’ Produce S., Chateau Miraval, who finished third in the G3 Magic Night S., and The Dabble Effect, who placed in the G3 David Coles AM S.
Capitalist and Pierro appeal
Alongside Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ support for the newer generation, the operation is also likely to back several established stallions. “For proven sires with upside, we’re again using Capitalist, and we’re similarly likely to use Pierro again, given his impressive potential,” said Griffin.
“Both stallions are heading into the breeding season off their 2022 crops, which were their highest-priced service fees to date and included some of the best quality mares they’ve served. Greg and I are particularly impressed with Pierro’s record as a Group 1 producer. He has sired six individual Group 1 winners, a feat I’m not sure is matched by any other stallion for under $55,000 (inc GST) this season.”
Griffin also shared that, alongside the operation’s own mares, clients of Lime Country Thoroughbreds will be utilising the proven stallions Wootton Bassett and Arrowfield’s four-time Champion Sire Snitzel. “We’re also continuing our support for Snitzel and Wootton Bassett with farm or client mares. What types the various mares foal down and how their stock performs early this season on the track will decide which ones go which way at this level of investment.”
Regarding Wootton Bassett, Griffin added, “Wootton Bassett hurts at the fee, but we’ve loved the stallion since he arrived and have supported him each season. We’ll have expensive fingers crossed that his talent translates down here.”
Wootton Bassett (GB) is currently listed with a 2024 fee yet to be confirmed to the public on the Coolmore website.
Golden Slipper winners high on the list
Two G1 Golden Slipper winners will also feature prominently in Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ mating plans this season. “From the unproven ranks, we’re backing the Slipper winners Farnan and Shinzo,” said Griffin.
Farnan, who stands at Kia Ora, will be represented by his first 2-year-old runners this spring, and the feedback on his progeny has been positive from breakers and trainers alike. “Farnan’s Slipper win, matched with the types we have had on the farm and the early mail, makes him a compelling option.”
The royally bred Shinzo retired to Coolmore this spring at a fee of $55,000 (inc GST). “With Shinzo’s looks and pedigree, on top of being a Golden Slipper winner, he’s a straightforward part of the mix for this season,” Griffin noted.
Farnan will stand for $55,000 inc GST in 2024 | Standing at Kia Ora Stud
Gallery: Some of the unproven sires which Lime Country Thoroughbred will utilise in their 2024 matings
Also making an impression from the retired brigade this season is King’s Gambit. A son of I Am Invincible, he is standing his debut season at $22,000 (inc GST) at Newgate Farm.
King’s Gambit won the Listed Debutant S. and the G2 Roman Consul S. and was third in the G1 Golden Slipper. “Finally, we’ve made a strategic investment in King’s Gambit. Despite his relatively low service fee, his talent and physical attributes make him a potential value proposition. He’s a horse we definitely want to get involved with this season.”
Griffin also mentioned Yarraman Park Stud’s Hellbent, another son of I Am Invincible, who stands for $38,500 (inc GST). “We’re also keeping an eye on Hellbent, whose consistent performance, quality types, and reasonable fee make him a tempting choice if a nomination becomes available.
“No doubt the breeding gods are laughing at all the mating plans made, and as always, 90 per cent of it will come down to luck in the running.”
Mares to be bred
Among the mares Lime Country Thoroughbreds plan to breed this season is Covalent (I Am Invincible). She hails from the Group 3-placed mare Calming Influence (Commands) and is a full sister to Caballus, a $1 million graduate of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and winner of the G3 Eskimo Prince S. Covalent was covered by Newgate Farm’s G1 Golden Slipper victor Stay Inside in her maiden season.
Another daughter of I Am Invincible, California Gallant, was unraced but is a full sister to Houtzen. Houtzen won seven races, including the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the G3 PJ Bell S., and the G3 Champagne S. She also placed in the G2 King George S. at Goodwood and the G2 Ian McEwen S. twice. California Gallant has a Stay Inside yearling filly and was served by Snitzel last season.
Proven producer Festivity (Nicconi) is the dam of Semana (Winning Rupert), a seven-time winner, who counts the G3 Triscay S. and the R. Listed Magic Millions Cup among her victories. Semana also placed in the G1 Coolmore Classic, the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara, and finished fourth in both the G1 Queen of the Turf and the G1 Winx S. Festivity has a yearling colt by Farnan and returned to the stallion last spring.
Air To Air (Smart Missile) earned over $250,000 on the track and was placed in both a Group 3 and a Listed race. She is currently carrying her first pregnancy to Newgate Farm’s Capitalist.
The final mare mentioned by Griffin to TTR AusNZ to be bred this season is Kinky Boom (Spirit Of Boom). She won the R. Listed Inglis 2YO Premier S. and produced a yearling filly by Wootton Bassett in her first season. Kinky Boom was served by Darley’s Anamoe last spring.
| Mare | Damsire | 2024 Booking | 2024 | 2023 Foal | 2022 Foal | 2021 Foal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covalent | I Am Invincible | TBC | Stay Inside | – | – | – |
| California Gallant | I Am Invincible | TBC | Snitzel | Stay Inside | – | – |
| Festivity | Nicconi | TBC | Farnan | Farnan | – | Gala Queen (Deep Field) |
| Air To Air | Smart Missile | TBC | Capitalist | – | – | – |
| Kinky Boom | Spirit Of Boom | TBC | Anamoe | Wootton Bassett | – | – |
This article was written by Keely Mckitterick for TTRAusNZ.
