The Otago stud farm lost its group 1-producing stallion Ghibellines, but its fortunes quickly took a turn for the better when its young sire Ancient Spirit recorded his first stakes win when his daughter Bobby Mcgee won the listed NZB Airfreight Stakes down the road at Wingatui.
"It was a good result — we thought that filly was above average and she won well," White Robe Lodge stud manager Wayne Stewart said.
While saddened by the death of Ghibellines, the southern horseman was choosing to take a silver-lining view on recent events.
"It was a sad day what happened before that but there are plenty of good things to look forward to," he said.
A son of champion sire Shamardal and group 1-winning mare Camarilla, Ghibellines was a half-brother to four-time group 1 winner Guelph and Dazzler, the dam of triple group 1 winner and subsequent group 1-producing sire Bivouac.
Ghibellines had just eight career starts, all at stakes level, with his highlight being victory in the group 2 Todman Stakes, while he also placed in the group 2 Danehill Stakes and listed Canonbury Stakes.
He retired to stud at White Robe Lodge, where he sired nine stakes winners including group 1 winner Smokin’ Romans.
"He consistently left reasonable horses right from the start," Stewart said.
"He left that Dunedin Guineas winner [El Gladiador] in his first crop and most seasons he had multiple winners.
"As time went on, they did take a wee bit of time to develop and mature, and today’s market is hard — people want those 2 and 3-year-old winners.
"He did a good job. He was a good bread-and-butter sire."
The farm is now looking forward to the future with their two stallions, Ancient Spirit and Alflaila, the latter having just finished serving his first book of mares.
Stewart was buoyed by Ancient Spirit’s stakes-winning result last week, and is hopeful other promising horses from the same crop can build on his momentum.
"He has had quite a few 3-year-old runners and we always thought his best would be in the autumn, so it is always really nice to get spring horses," he said.
"He has never covered big books of mares, but he has had good quality books of mares.
"He has got a good chance," Stewart said.
"He has had quite a few placegetters lately that have been a bit unlucky so hopefully they turn into winners now."
White Robe Lodge will head to Karaka next month with two yearlings in New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book2 Sale, including lot 579, an Ancient Spirit colt out of stakes winner Ortem Fire, a half-sister to group 3 winner Inferno, the dam of Smokin’ Romans. — LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
