Volksraad Wins Third New Zealand Sire Title

In taking the 2003-04 general sires' title, Volksraad became only the third horse in the past 50 years to complete a hat trick of wins in the New Zealand general sires' premiership. The others were Zabeel and Noble Bijou.

Bred in Great Britain and now 16 years of age, Volksraad (Green Desert--Celtic Assembly, by Secretariat) ended the season with prize-money earnings of NZ$1,427,347 (approximately $950,000). He was represented in New Zealand by 55 individual winners that collectively won 85 races. On the general sires' table, Volksraad led by winners, individual winners, and black-type winners.

Rhythm, by Mr. Prospector, finished second on the New Zealand sires' table last season while Faltaat, also by Mr. Prospector, was third.

The leading 2-year-old sire for New Zealand in 2003-04 was Bahhare (by Woodman), leading first-season sire was Stravinsk (by Nureyev), and champion broodmare sire was Straight Strike (by Mr. Prospector).

Rhythm, an Eclipse Award winner, and Stravinsky arrived from their U.S. stallion stations to stand south of the equator. Rhythm will hold court at Baerami Thoroughbreds in Australia, and Stravinsky at Cambridge in New Zealand. By the Astralian Associated Press