Three Chimneys Farm’s second-year sire Red Giant, a world record holder and grade I winner, will join New Zealand’s Westbury Stud roster for the 2010 Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
“Westbury approached us on Red Giant,” said Robert Clay, owner of Three Chimneys. “They felt like he would be well accepted in New Zealand. The primary owner of Westbury will be supporting him with a large number of mares, and the reception of New Zealand breeders has been excellent, so I expect a very good book of mares for him there.”
Red Giant stood his first year at Three Chimneys Farm, near Midway, Ky., in 2010. His fee for this year is $6,000 live foal guaranteed. A Southern Hemisphere fee has not been announced. The striking chestnut son of Giant's Causeway (out of Beyond The Sun, by Kingmambo) set a world record for 1 1/4 miles on the turf of 1:57.16 in 2008 Clement Hirsch Turf Championship (gr. IT) (VIDEO) at Santa Anita Park and also set a Colonial Downs course record of 1:59.62 going the same distance in the 2007 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) (VIDEO).
“Being able to purchase the Southern Hemisphere standing rights in a world record holder is a great thrill and adds an important dimension to our stallion roster going forward,” Westbury manager Russell Warwick told Australian Breeding & Racing magazine. “We were really keen to find a high class middle-distance performer and what better than a world record holder. The fact that Red Giant was a fast stayer is perfect for New Zealand in today’s climate. There is no doubt we are seeing a growing demand for horses able to perform at a middle-distance, but the flipside of this is that they must still have speed, as owners and trainers don’t want to wait until they are 4-year-olds anymore.”
Red Giant is the first son of Giant’s Causeway to stand in New Zealand. He won won half of his 12 career starts, with four placings, and earned $1,092,410. His victories included the Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) over 8.5 furlongs at Saratoga and the Restoration Stakes over 8 furlongs on the Monmouth Park turf course. His stakes placings were a second in the Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) and the Jamaica Handicap (gr. IIT).
Warwick said the timing is perfect with Giant’s Causeway’s son Eskendereya drawing a lot of attention during the prep races for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner Eskendereya was anticipated to be the morning line favorite in the Derby but was scratched the morning of April 25 due to swelling in one leg.
Red Giant is the first son of Giant’s Causeway to stand in New Zealand. In Australia, Giant's Causeway's first son at stud with runners, Shamardal, has already produced dual group I winner Faint Perfume, group III winner Shamoline Warrior, and group I-placed No Evidence Needed.