TBA BREEDERS' AWARDS 2003
1. Leading British-based Breeder (Flat)
JUDDMONTE FARMS
Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms exercised an enormous worldwide influence in 2003. Group I winner included OASIS DREAM (July Cup, Nunthorpe Stakes), BRIAN BORU (St Leger), and AMERICAN POST (Racing Post Trophy).
2. Leading British-based Stallion (Flat earnings)
CADEAUX GENEREUX
In the latter stages of the season, it became clear that Sheikh
Maktoum Al Maktoum's trophy room at Gainsborough Stud would be the destination of the BBA Silver Cigar Box as CADEAUX GENEREUX and GREEN DESERT vied with one another. In the end, CADEAUX GENEREUX, who boards at Whitsbury Manor Stud, prevailed - his Group winners at home comprised
DESERT DEER, BONUS and CAIRNS.
3. Leading British-based Stallion (individual Flat winners)
MACHIAVELLIAN
The Barleythorpe Stud Cup for the greatest number of individual Flat winners in Great Britain and Ireland invariably produces a close contest and 2003 was no exception. In fact, entering the final week, both CADEAUX GENEREUX and MACHIAVELLIAN had 41 winners apiece, but Dalham Hall Stud's flagship stallion finally prevailed by just one winner. Among his representatives was PATAVELLIAN.
4. Leading British-based First Season Sire (Flat)
DR FONG
DR FONG stands at Lord Hartington's Side Hill Stud, which is managed by John Warren who was responsible for repatriating DR FONG, winner of the Tattersalls' Silver Salver. The stallion's 10 individual domestic winners include three at stakes level, MISS CHILDREY, NEW MEXICAN, and SPOTLIGHT.
5. Broodmare of the Year (Flat)
COLORSPIN
The Irish Oaks winner, COLORSPIN, is maintaining the status quo at Meon Valley Stud in Hampshire. Back in 1986 her dam, REPROCOLOR, won the H.J. Joel Silver Salver, and now COLORSPIN has repeated the performance - she is the dam of one group I winner in ZEE ZEE TOP (Prix de l'Opera), and granddam of another in NECKLACE (Moyglare Stud Stakes).
6. TBA Flat Breeder
JUDDMONTE FARMS
Juddmonte Farms won the first award, which is a statistical one based on earnings in Great Britain and Ireland, and now they have won the TBA Silver Rose Bowl for Breeder of the Year. This is at the discretion of the awards' panel and it recognizes the worldwide influence of Juddmonte-breds, among them the Kentucky-bred half-sisters, SIGHTSEEK and TATES CREEK, the winners of six grade I races during the year.
7. Special Merit Award (Flat)
NANCY RALPHS (DOWNCLOSE STUD)
As the awards' panel was split down the middle with regard to the
TBA Breeder of the Year Award, it was decided to make this special award to the other main protagonist, Nancy Ralphs and her Downclose Stud in Somerset. Managed by Michael Falkiner, Downclose Stud enjoyed a tremendous season and bearing in mind the number of mares involved, 11 individual domestic winners, headed by JUST JAMES (Challenge Stakes), were recognized as well.
8. Small Breeder Award (Flat)
Yvette and Paul Dixon
If a small breeder wins the Darley Dewhurst Stakes and the
Somerville Tattersall Stakes he (or she) can expect to win the Langham Cup as the season's most meritorious small breeder. Few people would have predicted such a sensational double for MILK IT MICK, who was bred by Yvette Dixon, and races for her husband, Paul - they have a small stud at their home, near Retford, in Nottinghamshire.