What Might Have Been

The continuing popularity of Melbourne Cup winners Americain (USA) and Fiorente (IRE) with local breeders has been a pleasant surprise and if fate had unfolded a little differently in 2011, the Victorian stallion ranks would feature three Melbourne Cup winners instead of two.

Highly rated German stayer Lucas Cranach (Ger) was one of the most intriguing runners in the 2011 Melbourne Cup.

Having just his second start in Australia for Anthony Freedman after finishing fifth to Southern Speed in the Caulfield Cup, Lucas Cranach finished a close and unlucky third to Cup legends Dunaden (Fr) and Red Cadeaux (GB) with Americain behind him in fourth place.

A dominant win in the Group II MRC Peter Young Stakes over 1800 metres when making his return in 2012 had Lucas Cranach poised to become one of the stars of Australian racing, but sadly that was not to be.

He injured a leg not long after and was eventually retired the following spring to Bullarook Park in Victoria leaving racegoers and his syndicate of Australian Bloodstock owners with a lingering sense of what might have been.

"If he didn't get injured he would have won multiple Group I races," revealed Bullarook Park studmaster, Malcolm Boyd.

"If he did that he wouldn't be here at Bullarook and I wouldn't be as excited as I am today."

Boyd has every reason to be excited with his young stallion, whose offspring will be eligible for VOBIS Gold and Super VOBIS.

A member of the all-conquering Sadler's Wells sire line through his influential grand-sire In The Wings, Lucas Cranach has covered some 250 mares in his first three seasons at stud and with his oldest progeny now two year-olds things are starting to get interesting.

With fertility approaching 90%, Lucas Cranach has served mares of the quality of champion Shoot Out's Group III winning half-sister Cassandara Shadow, Group III West Australian Oaks winner Pop Culture and well related Vanilla Spin, a close relation of Group I winner Stratum Star.

"Every week for the last three or four months I've had calls from breeders to tell me how well their Lucas colt or filly is going. They are all just like him, natural athletes, light on their feet, with fantastic temperaments," said Boyd.

"I think they thought they'd be winning the Derby or Oaks, but now they are thinking Guineas – they are sharper than trainers expected."

Group I winning trainers John Sadler, Lee and Anthony Freedman, Jason Warren, Shaun Dwyer and former champion jockey Chris Munce all have Lucas Cranach progeny in their stables, so these youngsters will have every opportunity to deliver on their potential.