Long term owners and operators of Bowness Stud, John and Helen North have handed over the reins to their daughter Jocelyn and son in law James Daly of Watershed Farm and as a result there will be a business restructure and consolidation of horse numbers for manageability reasons.
Together the North and Daly family own up and coming emerging So You Think stallion D’Argento , whose progeny have been extremely well received in the market place.
His first weanlings sold last year for up to $120,000 and first yearlings in 2023 up to $230,000 with many heading to the stables of some of the most astute and successful trainers in Australia and NZ.
The family will continue to heavily support D’Argento, sending him top quality broodmares, along with providing plenty of opportunities and value for buyers to attain some well grown, strong and forward D’Argento foals/weanlings with some mares back in foal. The intention is to spread his progeny amongst excellent racing stables and breeding farms right around the country.
James and Jocelyn will be offering 30 mares with foals at foot, 41 mares and 2 weanlings at the upcoming Inglis Digital sale starting 21 – 26 April 2023.
John, Helen, James and Jocelyn are thrilled with how D’Argento is stamping his stock and excited to receive positive feedback from buyers, trainers and breakers to date.
“Across the board the industry participants have been extremely complimentary with what they have seen with breeders and buyers signaling their intentions to place their horses with some of our most successful trainers. At this early stage we know of yearlings heading to the stables of Chris Waller, Matthew Smith, Brad Widdup, Annabel Neasham, Toby Edmonds, John Symonds/Shiela Laxon, John O’Shea, Chris Bieg, Danielle Sieb, Mick Price, Robert/Luke Price, Barb Joseph, Dunn Racing, Cameron Crocket, Shaun Richie in NZ and Hong Kong have been buying.”- John North
“We purchased Lot 322 the D’Argento/Saggiatore from the Magic Millions as the clear highest priced example of his stock at the sale in conjunction with the Matthew Smith stable with a view he was very like his father and in the mould of his grandfather So You Think who I also purchased as a yearling to be so successful on the racetrack and now at stud. Matthew has shown himself to be very adept at training the middle distance and staying type of horses in his own right having served his apprenticeship with Aiden O’Brian and Bart Cummings both of whom had the opportunity to train So You Think to win 5 Group 1 features races each. Would it not be amazing if Matthew could get somewhere near that with his grandson. Certainly, indications from the breaker and pre-trainer of the Saggiatore colt, he might have some of speed and versatility that So You Think had.” - Duncan Ramage, DGR Thoroughbred Services
"Denise Martin had asked me to find a D'Argento yearling for her at this year's sales. When I came across the Soiree Girl colt at the Inglis Premier Sale, I called her straight away and said I've found a ripper for you. Denise saw him for the first time in early April. She phoned me on leaving the farm to say how thrilled she was with him. Denise said he's a good sized colt with lovely scope, strength and quality. The farm said he had done extremely well since arriving from the sale. Denise and the farm manager both couldn't believe he was a 3rd of December foal! As he's going to Chris Waller, you know he'll get every chance to prove himself on the race track." - Brett Howard, Randwick Bloodstock
Successful country trainers cameron Crockett and Danille Seib also speak highly of D'Argento.
“I’m rapt with the D’Argento colt we purchased from the 2023 Classic sale. He’s a forward, balanced colt with a lot of scope who our breaker has had a big opinion of.” - Cameron Crockett
“I have been fortunate enough to have two D’Argento’s come through our stable from the 2023 class. They have really impressed me with exceptional temperaments and outstanding constitutions. I would have no hesitation in sourcing more of his progeny”. - Danielle Seib
For enquiries, please contact either James Daly 0428 821 390 or Peter Ford (agent) 0409 172 918.
