Stallion of the Week: PATAPAN

August 18 2009 is shaping as an exciting day for Nick and Anne-Marie King of Brighthill Farm.

The significant date circled on the Tauwhare-based stud’s calendar marks the anticipated arrival of the very first foal of resident freshman sire Patapan.

“We are very much looking forward to Patapan’s first foal arriving,” Nick King enthused to New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing.

 “The stud is moving into a foaling mindset and there’s certainly very exciting times ahead.

“The first mare due Dubbe, is by Volksraad, so we are anticipating a speedy looking type from day one!”

Nick and Anne-Marie, who established Brighthill Farm in the Waikato in 1996, secured the services of Patapan in July last year.

By champion sire Stravinsky, out of the outstanding racemare Pappa Reale, Patapan - the 2006 Italian Sprint Champion - came with a very desirable pedigree and had an enviable race record to match.

For King however, it was his outstanding looks and physical presence that rubber stamped the acquisition of the sire.

 "After being approached by several members of the stallions' racing partnership, I had the opportunity to inspect the horse and was very taken with him as a type.

 “He is a very impressive, attractive bay stallion with a good head and conformation, oozing instant appeal.

“Unfortunately we announced his arrival late in the piece so had missed the Stallion Register and early advertising campaigns.

“Nevertheless, the initial response from clients was very positive and he was well supported with 94 mares.

“Being by Stravinsky, breeders are very familiar with and confident of the success of his bloodlines in this part of the world.”

Shuttling to Cambridge Stud since 2000, Stravinsky, by Nureyev has certainly paved the way for his sire sons to receive a warm welcome in New Zealand.

Being by Stravinsky, breeders are very familiar with and confident of the success of his bloodlines in this part of the world

“Stravinsky has been more successful with New Zealand bloodlines than any other in the world,” commented King.

“The speed factor that he is injecting into the traditional New Zealand stayer is proving to be an extremely potent cross.

“This of course bodes well for the future success of our sire.”

Patapan’s maternal bloodlines add further punch to his speed credentials.

Patapan’s dam, Pappa Reale, by the Irish sire Indian Ridge, was an outstanding racemare in her native Italy.

A winner of 13 races, Pappa Reale was crowned Champion Italian Sprinter in 1997, with her sons Patapan, and Per Incanto (Street Cry) repeating the honour in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

A sound and resolute racehorse, Patapan raced over four seasons in Italy, winning on 16 occasions.

Remarkably six of these wins came as a two-year-old, including the Listed Rome Premio Divino Amore over 1000m.

Winning a trio of races as a three-year-old, Patapan trained-on to claim Group Three success at four, with victory in the Rome Premio Umbaria. His incredible turn of foot triggered five wins that season highlighted with sizzling times of 0.56.80 and 0.56.60 recorded over 1000m.

After winning two races at five, Patapan headed to Australia and joined the stable of David Hayes.

“It was intended that Patapan would race in Australia and compete at the highest level,” reported King. 

“Unfortunately he had grown too big as a stallion and had starting pinching in his work and races so the decision was made to retire him.

“He is owned by a syndicate that includes his original owners in Italy Paolo and Emma Agostini, as well as New Zealand and Australian interests.

“We were delighted to secure his services at Brighthill and are very confident that he suits the domestic market here in New Zealand.

“He was a high class racehorse by a champion sire out of champion mare.

“As a sire he’s got everything going for him,” concluded King.

Patapan will stand at Brighthill Farm at a fee of $4,000 + GST in 2009 alongside Perfectly Ready.

PATAPAN KEY FACTS