Spring buzz from St Fort
/It's certainly been a busy stud season at St Fort - thanks to an ever-increasing number of exciting stock.
A total of 60 broodmares are calling the picturesque property home at the moment.
In addition there are more than 20 foals on the ground. And, of course, there's two stallions in former exciting race performer Flightpath, a winner of nearly $300,000 in stakes, and well-credentialed sire Genuwine.
Tony makes no secret that he and his partner Pooba Govender aim to further develop the complex, which is now combining its stud operations with a training base.
"We will have four stallions here next season and we will build the brood mare numbers up to around 100," Tony said.
"We have done our homework and purchased some quality mares.
"Some of these were already in foal and have tested positive to an impressive list of sires including Bettors Delight, Auckland Reactor, He's Watching, Tin Tin in America, Sir Lincoln and Mach Three as well as resident sires Flightpath and Genuwine.
"The way we are going we will certainly become one of the biggest stud operations in New South Wales.
"It's exciting times and the industry needs people who are prepared to make a commitment to the future.
"We are definitely here for the long haul and are looking ahead with lots of enthusiasm and optimism.
"The incentives have been put in place for breeders to get young horses onto the racetrack and earn some returns through the enormous amounts of stake money on offer."
Racing news from St Fort sees a number of two-year-olds shaping up well and doing everything asked of them at this stage.
"We have nine or 10 babies going around at present as well as a handful of three-year-olds and a few older ones," Tony said.
The stable is over the moon with the USA performances of former stable star Barimah.
The gelding has impressed with a number of eye-catching wins.
"Barimah did a terrific job when he was here with us and we didn't have any doubt that he wouldn't continue with the good work over there," Tony said.