From Cup Hero To Stud Success

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday September 13
The decision to stand a Melbourne Cup winner is not one taken lightly, but a warm initial response from breeders, followed by encouraging yearling sale results and now winners on the track have made Swettenham stud's gamble on Americain (USA) look like a good one.

The charismatic son of Dynaformer was a great favourite on the track, not only for his obvious ability but also his classical good looks.

An imposing individual with an undeniable presence, Americain is a hard horse not to like, so his burgeoning stud success has been the source of considerable interest from both breeders and racegoers alike.

Americain has reeled off three promising winners since the start of the new season in Amerock, American Sunday and Queen Consort, putting him right up at the top end of the Australian Second Season Sires List.



A dominant winner last month at Donald for the powerful Darren Weir stable as favourite, Amerock quickly translated potential to Black Type with a brave third in the Listed SAJC Morphettville Guineas over 1600 metres last Saturday.

Bred and part owned by Colleen Bamford from Daisy Hill Breeding, the three-year-old colt is raced by a large and enthusiastic group of owners, managed by Mark Hoare from Pacific Bloodstock, who bought him as a yearling at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

He travelled well throughout, and raced on well to the line although the stable has noted that there is still plenty of improvement to come.

"He was a little green when he hit the front and probably could have benefited from blinkers, with jockey John Allen, commenting that he was a little bit lost out in front," Bamford said.

He has pulled up very well again from this run, but Weir is yet to make the decision on whether he will have a little let up or if he will race on.

"He has had a very long preparation this time in, and it would be a good note to finish on. Reports from Weir's stable is that we haven't reached the bottom of him yet, and all opinions are that he has a promising future and we will have a bit of fun with him," Bamford said.

Although not a winner yet, it seems just a matter of time before the Mick Price trained Americain filly Oklahoma Days finds the winner's circle judging by her excellent second at Wodonga on Monday.

An unlucky fourth on debut in July, she led for home and looked set to win the 1400 metre maiden at Wodonga until run down by royally bred Fastnet Rock filly Tagreeda, who is also on the up.

Bred to win an Oaks - Oklahoma Days as a yearlingAnother Inglis Premier graduate, Oklahoma Days is from Cracking Melody (GB), an unraced Shamardal half-sister to French Group I winner Coquerelle from an impressive European Black Type family.

It looks like an Oaks pedigree and that is exactly where Oklahoma Days is headed via the VRC Oaks Trial at Flemington on September 27.

"We’re going to the Oaks Trial and hopefully the VRC Oaks from there," said Mick Price. 

"She’s a sound filly with beautiful temperament - good clean-winded and looks like a genuine staying filly. I’m very happy with her and I think she will be good when she gets to 2000m.”

With his oldest progeny now three, this is when it gets interesting for Americain as trainers can start to step them up in trip and look to the classics.

Given his encouraging start after just one month of the new season it would seem Americain is well and truly on the right track.

Priced at $11,000 this spring, Americain has covered over 470 mares in his first four seasons ensuring good follow through crops allowing him to build on his burgeoning success.

"We could not be happier with the way Americain is progressing and are absolutely delighted for his many fans and supporters," said Adam Sangster.

"That said, in such a competitive year we realise broodmare owners deserve the best commercial advantage, so we are offering very competitive deals on bookings to our Swettenham stallions."



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