Gilgai Farm in collaboration with Woodside Park Stud, as well as Grand Lodge and B2B Bloodstock, have this morning announced that Cable Bay, the Group II winning son of Invincible Spirit (Green Desert), will shuttle from Highclere Stud in the UK to Woodside Park in 2017.
Cable Bay was an extremely precocious two-year old who ran a faster time in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) than greats such as Frankel (Galileo), Shamardal (Giant's Causeway), Storm Bird (Northern Dancer), Mill Reef (Never Bend), Teofilo (Galileo) and New Approach (Galileo).
He is the highest-rated two-year old at stud in the UK and Ireland by Invincible Spirit and was the most popular first season sire, with only Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) covering more mares in the UK in 2016.
Breeders of amongst others Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), Gilgai Farm boast an excellent record as a breeder with an unbelievable eight per cent Group One winners to runners, 13 per cent Group One performances to runners and average earnings of $407,000 per runner. Most recent successes include three-time Group One winner Jameka (Myboycharlie), Hong Kong Sprint Champion Lucky Bubbles (Sebring), The Quarterback (Street Boss), All Too Hard (Casino Prince) and Black Caviar herself.
Cable Bay won the Challenge Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Newmarket and the John of Gaunt Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) at Haydock ending his racing career winning or being placed in 13 Group races, including a close second Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Newmarket.
Cable Bay has an outstanding female family, his grand dam Cherokee Rose (Dancing Brave) was a dual Group One winner and daughter of Dancing Brave (Lyphard). His immediate family also features Group Three winner Bowman (Irish River) and the dam of the Group One winners Kirkless (Jade Robbery) and Mastery (Sulamani). This is also the family of the Eclipse Stakes (Gr1, 1m2f) winner and young stallion Mukhadram (Sharmardal).
Rick Jamieson from Gilgai Farm, a breeding analyst for over 20 years, explains how it has always been his view that, with the right stallion and correct approach to mating, it is possible to manage a highly successful outcome. "We were set the task to find the right stallion with a pedigree make-up and potential for greatness including, ten per cent or better stakes winners to runners average," said Jamieson.
"After months and months of assessing pedigrees from Australia and abroad, we found Cable Bay to be exactly what we were after. We were excited to approach John and Jake Warren, the owners of Highclere Stud and there-in completed our partnership.
"On inspection of Cable Bay in England, I was even more confident we have found the ideal horse and I was incredibly impressed with the whole group of his first foals I saw at the famous Highclere Stud.
"Cable Bay is very much like his sire Invincible Spirit and the foals are certainly in the same mould, which is no surprise when the study is done of his pedigree opportunities. Jamieson went on to say that after much analysis and dismantling of Cable Bay's pedigree, Gilgai have created a mating template, it is our intention to manage the matings of Cable Bay and therefore manage the outcome and results.
"The syndicate will be sending 40 or 50 of their very best and most suitable mares that fit the template, underpinning the intended goal, such is our commitment and anticipation," said Jamieson.
"It is my personal challenge with the partners to turn Cable Bay into a highly successful stallion here in Australia.
"To breeders that may be interested to follow the template path set down by Gilgai, or breeders that are unsure of their matings, we invite you to submit your interest, if only to see if your mares are suitable matings with Cable Bay or otherwise. Then the choice is up to the breeder if they wish to get on board or not."
John Warren of Highclere Stud said: "Highclere Stud have heavily supported Cable Bay in the Northern Hemisphere with plenty of lovely mares and are receiving tremendous feedback on the foals from UK breeders. This was a very interesting and exciting proposition and we have been extremely impressed with the team's commitment to making the stallion in the southern hemisphere. With their quality of mares and intended level of support, Cable Bay has every chance of becoming a great success."
Cable Bay will stand at Woodside Park Stud in 2017 at a fee of $19,800 (inc GST).
