Not only is he preparing for the richest race in his career to represent Australia in the Hong Kong Sprint, but he's also eyeing a serious sideline in a stud career from the 2017 breeding season.
.jpg "Rebel Dane - Grant Courtney")
Rebel Dane, the seven year old trained by Gary Portelli, is looking in the
finest form of his career, fresh from a convincing win in the prestigious $1m
Group One Manikato Stakes and preparing for the Hong Kong Sprint on December
11.On his return to Australia he'll be set for the TJ Smith at Randwick in April, with a Queensland campaign an option after that.
Portelli has the stallion in training for the international showing, and is mixing up the schedule with beach visits and swimming, which has brought extra spark to Rebel Dane's pace.
Australian Turf Club CEO Darren Pearce says Rebel Dane is the horse 'Australia needs to get behind' for the Hong Kong race.
"It will be great to see this working-class hero take on the world in Hong Kong," he says. "He's a warhorse, and we wish him all the best from the Australian Turf Club, and hope Gary and the team have a tremendous experience in Hong Kong representing Australia ."
Portelli may have thought he was taking on the 'little kid of the class' when Rebel Dane joined his stable five years ago, but the quiet achiever has become a track favourite.
Now at 15.3½ hands high and a weight of 500kg, the elegant bay/brown stallion is moving easily, with an athletic and resilient physique that 'stands up to the rigours of racing', says Portelli.
Corrective throat surgery in April 2015 has seen him return to his Group One-quality form.
"He's a very elegant, streamlined horse with a beautiful nature and he's very relaxed to deal with," says Portelli.
Rebel Dane has produced a rich purse over five racing seasons - $2.4M from 36 starts to produce 8 wins and 9 places – and holds a solid current timeform rating of 120 – making it ideal timing for his owners to consider stud options.
Louis Mihalyka, syndicate manager at Laurel Oak Bloodstock, says Rebel Dane's owners would support him, but don't have large-scale broodmare holdings to stand him themselves.
"The owners are now considering options out of the Hunter Valley mainstream and believe Rebel Dane's next step will be better suited to studs in Victoria, Queensland, New Zealand, South Australia, Western Australia or Tasmania," he says.
"His last 27 starts have all been in Group One or Two company which is a testimony to his ability.
"Until now Rebel Dane has stayed in training as his earning potential on the racecourse has exceeded the value of offers received for him. The time has now come to find a stud position for this high-quality racehorse," says Mihalyka.
He estimates a stud could successfully stand him at around $8,000, which would make him an attractive and worthwhile investment in the $1.2 million to $1.5 million range.
"Of course, if he can achieve further success in Hong Kong, his reputation and appeal will be further enhanced.
"Ideally he would be a syndicated stallion so that he gets the opportunity to cover a good book of mares," he says.
Bred on the successful Danehill/More Than Ready cross, he is by the very fast Danehill stallion California Dane out of the More Than Ready mare Texarcana.
While his sire is considered unfashionable commercially, his grandparents Danehill and More Than Ready are two of the greatest names in recent Australian and indeed international thoroughbred breeding.
"Something has clearly clicked in his pedigree to make him as good as he is and we hope that he can pass that on to his progeny," said Mihalyka.
At home in races between 1100m and 1400m, his sweet spot sits between 1200-1400m on a soft or dry track.
"It's a very appealing time for a breeder to get involved with Rebel Dane, coming into one of the highest-profile race meets in the world," said Mihalyka.
Rebel Dane has beaten Group One winners including: Chautauqua, English, Buffering, Terravista, Samaready, Shamexpress, Epaulette, Press Statement, Malaguerra, Lucia Valentina, Japonisme, The Quarterback, Under The Louvre, Bel Sprinter, Sacred Falls, It's A Dundeel, Delectation, Hot Snitzel, Hucklebuck, Trust In A Gust, Awesome Rock, Exosphere, Lucky Hussler, Holler, Moment Of Change, Ferlax, Norzita, Sizzling, Linton, Temple Of Boom, Yosei, Fiveandahalfstar, Atlante, Dreifontein, Red Tracer, Boban, Kirramosa, Stratum Star, Happy Trails.
For more information: Louis Mihalyka, Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd, 02 8883 1066/ 0418 962 858, office@laureloak.com.au
