A keen student of breeding, trainer Gerald Ryan is justifiably proud as he watches his former charges Rothesay and Hichinbrook fight it out for the first-season sires’ championship.
Neither was a Group One winner but both won stakes races as three-year-olds in Ryan’s care.
The most successful horse to go to stud after racing for Ryan is Snitzel and the trainer is renowned for his success with his progeny.
“It doesn’t surprise me they are doing so well because they were both good, tough horses,” Ryan said.
“I only have a couple by them which haven’t really been two-year-olds.”
Both stallions are by Fastnet Rock who leads the 2014/15 general sires’ list by earnings and Ryan will send out another of his sons, Flying Achilles, in the Bledisloe Cup Plate (1300) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The colt finished fourth on debut on July 4 on a heavy Rosehill track and his trainer is expecting improvement.
“He was still a bit fat when he raced at Rosehill,” Ryan said.
“He’s improved off his first run. I would like to see him on better ground but he will run at Warwick Farm rather than Canterbury on Saturday.”
Ryan will also saddle up Majorly at Warwick Farm where the four-year-old runs in the Pro-Ride Handicap (1600m), his first start since January.
He has had two barrier trials to get ready for his first-up assignment and although Ryan does not have too many expectations, the gelding will get his preferred surface with Warwick Farm rated a Heavy 9 on Tuesday.
Two of Majorly’s three wins, all between 1800 to 2600 metres, have been on soft or heavy ground.
“He will probably need the run as we build him up to longer races,” Ryan said.
Majorly is by Encosta De Lago who is now retired from active duty at Coolmore Stud.
His son, the Ryan-trained Group Two winner Rubick, will take his place at the stud in the spring.
Another of this season’s Group Two winning three-year-olds from the Ryan stable, Snitzel colt Time For War, will take up stallion duties at Kitchwin Hills in September.