Racingweb Briefs NEWS

Imperial Stride to stand at Highlands Farm

Published by charl on July 29, 2010

IMPERIAL STRIDE (GB) will be standing at Highlands Farms Stud from 2010. Ranked an impressive 127 by Timeform, he was an exceptional racehorse, who won from 6 furlongs as a 2 year old to 12 furlongs as an older horse, winning five stakes races in succession in England in the hands of trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

He was the top ranked older horse in Europe and favourite for the Arc and Breeders Cup when purchased by Godolphin and moved to Dubai, where he lost his way, enabling this purchase.

He was was well syndicated in the Western Cape, his shareholders including Highlands Farms, Maine Chance, Ascot, Avontuur, Beaumont, Burwell, Danika, Digteby, Eagle, Favour Stud, Gary Player Stud, Golden Acres, Mike Jolly, Altus Joubert, Litchfield, Peter Mills, Chris Moller, Milkwood, Northfields, Frank Sharp, Pierre du Toit, Sandown, Spring Valley and Varsfontein.

Outside breeders who have sent mares to him include Mrs Oppenheimer, Klawervlei and Cheveley Stud. He has a beautiful first crop born in 2009 and appears to breed correct progeny with size.

As he is a tall, refined horse, he can get them on the leg, so tends to prefer good bodied mares with substance and bone. He is by a speed sire in Indian Ridge and out of a stout Sadlers Wells mare who is a half sister to Count Dubois. He is expected to sire progeny over the whole range of distances depending on the mating.

”He is one of the few horses combining speed and stamina, that suits a breeder set out to breed a July or Met winner at the international distance of 2000m, favoured by the world’s richest races,” said Robin Bruss of Northfields Bloodstock.

In 2010, his 3rd seasons, he will stand for a reduced fee in line with the economic downturn, representing exceptional value for a horse of such great racing ability and class.

Bookings can be made with Gareth Pepper (gareth@northfields.co.za or Cell 079 776 6930 ), or alternatively directly with Highlands Farms.

Photo: Imperial Stride wins the Fred Archer Stakes at Newmarket by a distance from Albinus (Stakes winner) and Compton Bolter, who won the Grade 3 Arc Trial after this.