There are any number of reasons a stallion can go radio silent in their third and fourth seasons at stud.
They don’t have runners yet, it’s a few years on from racetrack deeds and the real biggie … there’s always a lot of new toys in the playpen.
Still, it appears that Victoria’s Riverbank Farm has quite a bit to be excited about with 6-time stakes winning sprinter/miler, Dalasan, who is well and truly geared up to cover book #3 this spring.
As the number would suggest, Dalasan now has yearlings in paddocks around the country and, more than just a bit exciting for Riverbank, it’s the genuine buzz around said youngsters.
“(Hugely successful South Australian breeder) Harry Perks bred and raced Dalasan and has been a wonderful supporter of the horse in the last two seasons,” Riverbank’s Caroline Osborne explains. “Aside from what he did on the track, Dalasan is a tremendous individual and I’m thrilled for Harry and other supporters that he’s throwing them so much to type.”
Probably time for a reminder on just what Dalasan achieved on race day: a son of European Horse of the Year, Dalakhani (55 stakes winners), Dalasan was a multiple winner at 2, won 5 of his 6 stakes victories at 3 (including the Group 2 Danehill, 2nd to Alligator Blood in the Guineas Prelude and 2nd in the Group 1 SA Derby), multiple Group 1 placed at 4 and 5 and signed off with a stakes win at 6.
All up over $3.5 million in stakes and a winner from 1000m to 2035m. We repeat … 1000m to 2035m!
One who hasn’t easily forgotten Dalasan’s deeds and, indeed, raised Dalasan from a foal, is Mill Park’s Chris Watson.
Recently given a shout out as ‘best breeder in the country’ by bloodstock agent, Dave Mee, Mill Park has a phenomenal record for producing topliners off its South Australian showpiece and has a number of Dalasan yearlings on farm.
“Dalasan was always a smashing type so it’s not exactly a great leap that he’s producing such very good looking stock,” Watson points out.
“They’ve got plenty of leg and scope and while some will head to sales, Harry is likely to keep a few to race.
“We have a half sister to stakes winners Arctic Glamour and Waging War and I’ve got to say, that filly would walk into any sale in Australia on type.”
Prominent South Australian agent, Adrian Hancock, is likewise impressed with the Dalasans : “Given that Dalasan was a 6-time stakes winner and stands for just $5,500, it’s fair to say that his yearlings – so far – are exceeding all expectations. The half dozen or so that I’ve seen have a really good strength and there’s a lot to like about them.
“Some well related ones as well … aside from the half to Arctic Glamour and Waging War, there is very close relation to Victoria Derby winner, Goldrush Guru and Champion 3YO, Gold Guru, along with a half sister to Adelaide Cup winner, Rebel Racer from the stakes winner Just Sybil.
“In fact, Harry is keen to support Dalasan with added numbers of his own broodmares this year on the basis of how the first crop of yearlings are shaping up.
“Plenty to look forward to!”
Dalasan is joined at Riverbank Farm this spring by Kingwell, a multiple winning entire by I Am Invincible and half brother to super sire, Extreme Choice.
“Kingwell has really settled in and there’s understandably quite a bit of interest around him given the Extreme Choice factor, while Prince of Caviar (a half to Black Caviar), Boulder City (a half to Winx), Redoute’s Choice’s consistent winner-getter, Redente, and Wayed Zain (by High Chaparral) are again standing at Riverbank in 2025 and all are popular with the breed to race fraternity.”
For further information on Riverbank’s 2025 lineup, contact Russell Osborne on 0423 768 155.
