Colin Brown has been at the thoroughbred game quite a while now. He and wife, Fiona Lacey – an experienced stud vet and former President of Thoroughbred Breeders WA – run Mogumber Park at Bullsbrook, some 50kms north of Perth.
From their well appointed base, Colin has overseen the foaling and rearing of more than a few handy types in the past decade or so and, consequently, isn’t prone to hyperbole.
That said, the veteran studmaster has plenty of reason to be buoyed for the months – nay, years – ahead.
Mogumber’s 2023 addition, the Group 2 winning Capitalist sprinter, Marine One, has gotten his first foals on the ground, while barnmate, Safeguard, is really serving up the winners – producing a double at Belmont last Wednesday.
“One of the most overused, and often inaccurate, words used in breeding is ‘belter’,” Colin muses. “It seems every farm has paddocks full of ‘belters’ but all I’ll say is that we are VERY happy with the Marine Ones on farm to date.
The first five to be born at Mogumber Park have weighed between 52kgs and 60kgs, strong with good bone and great conformation, just like their dad - and they have all been colts!"
Group placed in the Maribyrnong, on debut, as a 2YO, Marine One would beat a tip top field in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (also won by Nature Strip and Chautauqua in the past decade) as a 3YO. After a lengthy layoff, Marine One resumed in last year’s Rubiton, finishing just a length off the pace in record time before the decision was made to put him to stud.
Mogumber stands Marine One in partnership with Matthew Sandblom’s Kingstar Farm and China Horse Club who are clearly confident the Capitalist / Written Tycoon factor will play a big role in the west and, accordingly, are supporting him with a number of mares.
And, in what is sure to be a clincher for owners with multiple mares, Mogumber is offering a 2 for 1 deal this spring … send one to Marine One and get another in to Safeguard for free.
Now, although Mogumber wouldn’t be the first farm to offer an ‘incentive’ of this kind, theirs is something of a no-brainer.
While Marine One stands this season at $8,800, breeders can get in to Safeguard for $4,400. Yep, $4,400. Incredible value.
A Champion WA First Season Sire, Safeguard has really been putting the runs on the board in 2024.
Safeguard’s yearlings have sold up to $200,000 – did we mention he stands at $4,400? – while his strike rate is currently weighing in at 68% winners to runners.
Apart from multiple stakes winner Buzzoom and his multiple Group placed runners like Stay Safe, Miss West Coast, black type 2YOs Policiere, Specialism and co., Hong Kong buyers will be taking a close look at future yearling sales given Happy Valley winner Kyrus Dragon clearly has a promising future up there.
“We’re very happy with what the Safeguards are doing on the track,” Colin adds. “His recent metrop winners include Kiralui and Safe Satyr, while that double this week with Safekeeper and Sinful Living couldn’t be timed better.
“Safeguard has done a remarkable job from relatively small books, with the current 3YO crop coming from a book of just over 30 covers, but has averaged closer to 50 mares in his last three books.
“His metrics are fantastic … aside from the 68% winners to runners, stakes-performers to winners are at 13%, while each runner has averaged some $85,000 in stakes – off a $4,400 service fee.
“While he has a loyal and growing band of supporters, I have always wondered what he could do with a book of 80 plus mares, so hence the 2-for 1 initiative this year.”
For further information about Mogumber Park’s Marine One and Safeguard – particularly the 2-for-1 deal – contact Colin Brown on 0408 251 880 or colin@mogumberpark.com
