June 10th, 2008

  Rockdale stopped Fravashi's winning streak in its tracks with an all the way win in the Group 1 TJ Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Monday afternoon.  Placed twice in his previous three starts, including behind Fravashi in the Group 2 QTC Sires' Produce (1400m) a week earlier, the son of Danroad jumped straight into the bit and went to the lead and, despite a bold chase by Fravashi (Falbrav - Angelic Smile by Dehere) and Baci Amore (Rock of Gibraltar - Coverage by Covetous) in the closing stages, held on to his lead at the winning post. 
  Rockdale was purchased by his trainer, John Morrisey, at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale for $135,000, and is now raced by Gundaroo Stud. 
  By Danroad, who has had one other stakes placegetter Amazing Sky (ex Quasi Stellar by Catrail) and four individual winners from just nine starters. A fast son of Danehill, he was a six-time winner, including at Group 2 level at two, and the second leading colt on the 2001 New Zealand Two-Year-Old Free Handicaps. He now stands alongside Align and Kashani at Brent Gillovic's, Highview Stud.

  Rockdale (ex Komplete Kaos by Desert Sun) is the first New Zealand bred horse to win the Group I TJ Smith since Darci Brahma's victory in 2005.

February 16th, 2007

Danehill’s Group 2-winning son Danroad has had his first Northern Hemisphere foal. 

The colt was born at Ed Sexton’s Rathmuck Stud in Co Kildare and is out of the Diesis mare Demeter, a daughter of the 1993 Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Nicer.

"He’s a very well-proportioned handsome colt with a real touch of quality about him - very much like the foals Danroad has had in the Southern Hemisphere," reported John McGrath, racing manager to the Hong Kong Breeders’ Club, who bred the colt.

Danroad is standing his second Northern Hemisphere season at Rathmuck Stud and he looks set to receive a bumper book of mares. He will cover at least 20 mares belonging to the Hong Kong Breeders’ Club and has a further 30 mares booked already.

His first southern hemisphere foals have made a big impact, recently realising prices that include $100,000 and NZ$95,000 in the sale ring.