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Berkely Stud resident Highly Recommended is off to a flying start following the performances last season of his first crop of two-year-olds.
The black-type efforts of both Waldorf and Joyfilly emphasised the stallion’s ability to leave early types, which came as a welcome surprise to stud co-owner Edwina Morris.
“We’re absolutely over the moon. We never really expected him to leave two-year-olds because he is a big son of Fastnet Rock,” she said.
“The stallion actually won his first trial as a two-year-old and then won on debut at Flemington as a two-year-old, so he is putting that bit of early speed into his progeny.”
That early pace was shown in Joyfilly’s runner-up performance in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes and her third placing behind Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni earlier this year.
However, the highlight of Highly Recommended’s season was his first stakes victory when the Andrew Campbell-trained Waldorf ran away from his competition to win the Listed Ryder Stakes on Monday.
As a result of that dominant win, the phone has been ringing off the hook at Berkley Stud.
“Every day we have been getting bookings and some people are booking in more than one mare,” Morris said.
“On Wednesday night, someone booked in three mares so we have had a tremendous response, more than we thought we would get.”
This comes off the back of four strong books and Morris expected it to be more of the same in 2017.
“After his first crop, the type of his foals made people return to him and that has continued,” she said. “They are very good natured horses.
“He’s averaged 112 mares each season since he went to stud. He has been well supported.”
With glowing reports about Highly Recommended’s progeny coming in from trainers from all around the country, Morris believes the best is yet to come from the gentle-natured stallion.
“We are really excited to see his three-year-olds come out on the track,” she said.
“There are two that will be nominated for the Caulfield Guineas, including Waldorf, which is incredible. A win in that race would be a dream come true.”
Highly Recommended will stand at Berkley Stud’s Canterbury property this coming season for a service fee of $5000 + GST.