“I Was Really Proud Of How They All Went”: Ross Mackay On His Horses’ Performance In The Breeze-Ups

10 November 2021

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Leanach Lodge principal Ross MacKay will offer five stunning 2YOs yearlings in the now virtual NZB Ready To Run Sale, which commences on 17th November, and he is hoping he has another Group winner in his draft.

Owned by his father, a well-respected vet, Mackay’s far-reaching experience with horses both through his early years influenced by his father and later years through his work experience at Coolmore gives him wider leverage when offering quality agistment and sales preparation services. Leanach Lodge is also known for its premium yearlings which include graduates such as Te Akau Shark and On the Bubbles.

Here, MacKay shares detailed information about his draft, their breeze up results as well as his fondness for New Zealand’s Ellerslie racecourse.

Q: You have an impressive draft of 5 outstanding horses going into the sale. Please tell us what makes these horses special?

A: I am very proud of the five horses I will be presenting at this year’s Ready to run sale.

Lot 4 is a super colt by Telperion out of the Testa Rossa mare, Testa’s Big Lassie. He is a big, strong colt who I see as a future sprinter-miler. His mother won over the short to middle distance and Telperion being by Street Cry should further enhance this ability. Lot 4 has a half-sister by Reliable Man, in Reliable Lass, who has performed well in Australia over the shorter distances. Also worth noting in the family is that Testa’s Big Lassie is out of the Lake Coniston mare, Strega, who produced Captain Sweet, winner of 8 races and over $11 000000 in Hong Kong. This horse is special because he is a beautiful colt who does everything right. He eats well, has a great temperament and we were really impressed by his attitude through his training preparation towards the breeze up.

Lot 9 is a bay colt by The Bold One and out of the Al Akbar mare, Tigris. He is a beautiful colt who I see as a classic type. He has plenty of strength and scope about him with a big stride. His mother won over a mile. The Bold One, a son of Fastnet Rock proved himself as a handy sprinter. Lot 9 has a half-sister in the filly Nod (Zed) who has been a winner over a mile. His dam Tigris is out of the Lord Ballina mare, Adnamira, who was a Group winner herself, and also the producer of Centamira (Centaine) who was a listed winner and group placed. This colt is special because not only is he eye-catching, he has a fantastic, flowing stride. He always puts in and is a wonderful horse to work with.

Lot 152 is a brown colt by Speith out of the Pentire mare, Italian Queen. He is an early, precocious type with plenty of speed. His mother had 3 sprinting wins and his sire, Speith, being by Thorn Park, demonstrated great speed in his five Australian sprint successes. Lot 152 is only the second foal from Italian Queen, but she was from the Spinning World mare, Pristine Kristine who produced the Group winner So Pristine (Zabeel) and Listed winner Restored (Red Ransom). Pristine Kristine also produced the mare Taylor’s Command, who in turn produced the smart Australian 2yo and recent Group winner Swift Witness; and Pristino, who produced the NZ

Bloodstock Filly of the year, Dijon Bleu (Burgundy). Also interesting in Lot 152’s pedigree is that he is line bred to Spinning World. This colt is special because the double up to Spinning World has made him tenacious with a lot of character.

Lot 193 is a bay colt by Toronado out of the Manhattan Rain mare, Manhattan Melody. He is an attractive, strong colt who I see as a precocious type who can really gallop! His mother was a sprint distance winner in Australia and sire Toronado was obviously an exceptional performer. Lot 192 is the first foal from Manhattan Melody, who goes back to the mare, Fara’s Team, who was a multi-group winner in the US. Toronado is doing a fantastic job as a sire, the thrilling run by Masked Crusader to finish such a close second in The Everest is just one example of the exciting progeny Toronado is leaving. Lot 192 is special because he is a well-built, physical animal with plenty of ability and natural power.

Lot 228 is a brown gelding by Sebring out of the All Too Hard mare, Oh Miss Scarlett. He is a well-put-together, compact package who will definitely be a speed type. Lot 228 is only the second foal from Oh Miss Scarlett, an unraced daughter of multiple groups one winner, Scarlett Lady (Savabeel). Scarlett Lady has produced 4 winners to the current season, including the handy Hong Kong performer, Party every day. Scarlett Lady is in turn out of the Listed winner On Call, who is a half-sister to the consistent group winning New Zealand sprinter-miler, Justanexcuse. Lot 228’s sire Sebring obviously needs no introduction as both an incredible 2yo performer himself, and as a highly successful stallion. Lot 228 is special because what he lacks in height he makes up for with a massive work ethic. His preparation to get to the Breeze up was relatively quick, and he never put a foot wrong. He is a lovely horse who just gets on with the job.

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Q: Please tell us how your horses performed in the breeze-ups?

A: The breeze ups for these horses happened on Tuesday 12 October. I was really proud of how they all went, considering they all had to go on the second day, after a night of heavy rain on a slow 9 track, with a strong breeze, it was not an easy ask for 2YOs. Every single one of them went up professionally and in respectable times for the day, however, I really liked the style shown by Lot 4 and Lot 193.

Q: Please tell us about the biggest racetrack successes of your top graduates.

A: The 2020-2021 year was extremely exciting for us; in that, we saw a number of our graduates from different sales years perform well both in New Zealand and overseas. Our top three horses to have come through our sale drafts would have to be On The Bubbles (Karaka Yearling Sales 2020) who was the winner of the 2021 Karaka Million race, current Australian stakes winner Ayrton (2018 Karaka Yearling Sales) and Group One hero Te Akau Shark (2015 Karaka Yearling Sales) who also placed in the Cox Plate.

Q: Please tell us about your favourite racehorse, racetrack and stallion and why?

A: My favourite racehorse would have to be the champion mare, Sunline. I love that she was New Zealand bred, raised, and trained. In my opinion, she is one of the few horses deserving of the title “champion” as she raced all around the globe in the world’s biggest races and was just an incredible horse to watch.

My favorite racetrack in New Zealand is Ellerslie. It is New Zealand’s premier course and on a big day the atmosphere there is second to none.

My favourite stallion, I can't decide between Fastnet Rock and Galileo. I worked with both in my 20s at Coolmore and they were both unbelievable animals.

Q: What are you currently reading?

A: I’m not much of a reader myself to be honest, however with two little children I find myself reading to them a lot. Our current favourites are Giraffes Can’t Dance and anything about Thomas the Tank Engine.