Turangga Farm is maintaining its long standing record of sending yearlings to the January sale, but this time the yearlings are being prepared by Cameron and Kellie Bond’s Kenmore Lodge and Alexia Fraser Bloodstock.
These yearlings have been raised on the special pastures of Turangga, smack bang in the middle of the famed Segenhoe Valley just outside Scone in New South Wales’ Upper Hunter. That in itself is a wonderful head start in life for these four on offer. Near neighbours to Turangga include Arrowfield, Vinery, Kia Ora, Segenhoe, Darley, Newgate, Holbrook, Valiant and Glastonbury.
Warren Wruck spoke to John Ramsey of Turangga Farm about the draft and how things have been progressing in 2020.
How has your farm risen to the challenges presented by COVID 19?
“We have just taken care of essentials – no real change to lifestyle.”
Which are your favourite stallions?
“All Too Hard gets winners and I like Saxon Warrior. Plenty of well credentialed stallions to choose from but it depends on whether you want to breed or race.”
Describe your draft for 2021.
Lot 262 bay colt Rubick – Empress Matilda (by Charge Forward). From the Kenmore Lodge draft, John describes him as, “A very nice well-balanced colt – a mature individual. Will be a nice 2YO and go early. Very fast family.”
His dam Empress Matilda is a winning full-sister to Champion 2YO Filly of 2008-09 Headway, winner of the VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes Gr.1, the AJC Sweet Embrace Stakes Gr.3, and placed 2nd in the STC Golden Slipper Stakes Gr.1. Their dam Chatelaine was a three times winner and Gr.2 and Gr.3 placed.
His sire Rubick is making a great impression and one needs look no further than his brilliant Everest winning son Yes Yes Yes to know that he can produce a top liner.
Lot 446 brown filly Vancouver – Knockout Girl (by Not a Single Doubt). This filly is in Alexia Fraser’s draft and has plenty to recommend her. “A precocious type with a great attitude, she will make a fantastic race filly. Her mother was extremely fast and any trainer would love to have her.”
Her dam is a 2YO winner and a half-sister to Heugill, a winner and Gr1-placed in the MRC Caulfield Guineas. A powerful South African black type family backs up her pedigree with her Gr.1 winning grand dam Trust Antonia representative of that. Her sire Vancouver is travelling very nicely indeed with a Gr.2 winner in South Africa and Night Raid leading the way here at home.
Lot 522 bay colt Pierro – Marseille en Fleur (by Swiss Ace). Another colt being prepared by Kenmore Lodge, John describes this fellow as, “Put together extremely well. Has a terrific attitude and will make a nice 3YO. He has the demeanour to go early as well. He is out of a stakes placed 2YO from a cracking family.”
Marseille en Fleur, his dam, is a half-sister to Danpegi the dam of Rose of Choice, winner of the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic. Their dam is the stakes winner and Gr1-placed Danehill mare Rose of Dane while his sire Pierro continues on his merry way, siring winner after winner, both fillies and colts at Gr.1 level.
Lot 891 brown colt All Too Hard – Tiarazou (by Zizou). Another colt in the Kenmore Lodge draft, this youngster is a full-brother to Randwick and Moonee Valley winner Human Nature. John says, “His brother is going well and this fellow will be a real trainer’s horse – will be an asset to any stable. A full-brother to Human Nature who is a fast progressive stakes horse.”
From a very strong family, his dam Tiarazou, a Melbourne winner at 2 years, is a full-sister to Zoutenant, winner of the Wyong Magic Millions-RL. Their dam Tenant’s Tiara is a daughter of Beautiful Crown and a winner of the AJC Eskimo Prince Stakes- Listed. His sire All Too Hard is one of Australia’s best young sires.
Which horse in your draft looks the best chance to win a Magic Millions 2YO Classic or a Golden Slipper?
“If you want a filly choose the Vancouver and if you want a colt, take your pick.”
In 40 years, what will people be nostalgic for?
“Less tech, more practical basics – especially for kids.”
What are the unwritten rules of where you work?
“We make our own rules. Blood is thicker than water.”
How many chickens would it take to kill an elephant?
“Depends on the ticker of the elephant. Maybe one plucked chook could be scary enough to do it?”
What’s the weirdest thing a guest has done at your house?
“I worry about myself – not my guests!”
What inanimate object do you wish you could eliminate from existence?
“iPads for kids. Computer games. In fact, anything that stops kids from going outside.”
What is something you refuse to share?
Can’t say. Loose lips sink ships.”
