Stallion of the Week: ISHIGURU

The best is yet to come
2:26 PM Tuesday May 05, 2009

Chequers Stud’s shuttle sire Ishiguru (USA) has literally been putting himself on the map of late.

In the weekend gone by, the handsome son of Danzig secured black-type in Ireland and was strongly represented with winners in both Singapore and Australia.

The results come off the back of perhaps his most exciting New Zealand performer, Geeza (NZ), who landed his third on end in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) two weeks ago.

It is an arguable supposition, as another of his sons, I Robot (NZ), was desperately unlucky in the race.

Whilst both horses are bound for the Queensland Carnival, the conclusion is the clear...the best is yet to come for Ishiguru (USA).

So what is the story so far?

In short, the blueblood youngster was a standout yearling, a blinding sprinter and is currently converting this class as a commercial sire.

Combining the exceptional US bloodlines of the proven sire of sires’ Danzig and the dual Gr.1 winning 2YO Strategic Maneuver, Ishiguru was his sire’s most expensive yearling of 1999, with leading bloodstock buyer Demi O'Byrne securing him for $US1.15 million at the prestigious Keeneland July sales.

Sent to the yard of Aidan O’Brien, the rich bay demoralised his 2YO opposition on debut, winning by 11 lengths.

Entering the next season with a 2YO Timeform rating of 114, Ishiguru (USA) added to his exciting billing with Gr.3 success in the Miller Flying Stakes (1000m) at Leopardstown and with a Listed win in the Curragh Belgrave Stakes (1200m).

“Ishiguru always showed a lot of class. He had blinding speed,” observed trainer, Aidan O’Brien.

Commencing stud duties at UK’s Tweenhills Farm & Stud in 2003, Ishiguru’s Northern Hemisphere record has yielded a Leading Third Crop sire status ahead of Rock of Gibraltar and has resulted in the three Group winners from limited crop numbers by way of Hellvelyn, She’s Our Mark and Ferneley.

Sent to New Zealand in 2004, Ishiguru has had two crops of racing age.

In Australia, 10 of his fifteen starters have proven victorious.

In New Zealand, 8 from 18 have reigned supreme, with leading black-type lights here comprising Geeza, I Robot and Ishibabe.

It is very exciting for the sire to have two very good horses in Geeza and I Robot heading to Australia

“It is very exciting for the sire to have two very good horses in Geeza and I Robot heading to Australia,” said Chequers Stud’s Mark Fraser-Campin.

“A number of his early trial winners are sold offshore, so it’s great for his domestic profile to have these New Zealand flag bearers.”

Such commerciality has not been missed by breeders.

Even amongst the depressed economic climate, breeders were well served at the 2009 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale series.

On average, Ishiguru’s stock sold for nearly five time his original service fee.

The numbers also added up at the Ready to Run Sale of 2YO’s a few months earlier, with progeny here fetching nearly seven times the applicable service fee.

 “Ishiguru’s a cracking looking stallion that throws nice correct athletic types who show at two but who are even stronger at three,” summarised Campin.

“Like him, they are a good size, are bays for the most part and usually have a bit of white on them.

“They have great temperaments and thrive on the racing environment.”

Perhaps ,however, the most glowing endorsement comes from Ireland’s Breeder and Bloodstock Agent Luke Lillingston, who remarked:

“Every breeder should have an Ishiguru on their radar. At his fee, he offers no downside on your pocket and plenty of upside for your mare. I doubt there will be better value anywhere. He is a much better stallion than many horses standing for far more.”

Ishiguru stood for NZ$10,000 plus GST in 2008.