Blue Gum Farm

The outbreak of equine influenza has created a lot of hurt right across the racing and breeding industry here in Australia. Since the news of the virus being present first broke the centre of attention has been the Eastern Creek quarantine station west of Sydney and as circumstance has it, Blue Gum Farm must patiently wait the release of Statue Of Liberty (USA) from that facility. With the breeding season now underway there are many breeders keen to capitilise on the early promise shown by this beautifully bred young son of Storm Cat and we thank those people for their patience and understanding. Many have also indicated that they are prepared to wait for Statue Of Liberty and we will certainly pass on any updates once they are advised. (At present we know that his health has been tip top right through quarantine period and at no time has he shown any signs of temperature. Many would be aware that those stallions on the shuttle are inoculated against equine influenza and that’s certainly the case with Statue Of Liberty.)

Statue Of Liberty in the paddock we would prefer to see him in

Since Statue Of Liberty’s two-year-olds have started racing in Europe, the winners have been regular as featured in this newsletter. That trend has continued and at the time of our going to press, Statue Of Liberty has recorded his 15th individual winner from just 43 starters to date. With approximately two and a half months still to run in the European season, that is a very impressive result, particularly when compared to Johannesburg’s effort in claiming the title of leading Australian First Season Sire by individual winners. His final total was three less than Statue Of Liberty’s current total! It’s worth reflecting too that Johannesburg is also from the Storm Cat line, being by the recently deceased son of Storm Cat, Hennessy! As the great Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien says; “They’re (the Storm Cat’s) just natural athletes with a lot of natural speed.”

Statue Of Liberty’s oldest Australian progeny have just turned two and as that first crop has been finding its way into some of Australia’s leading stables, the early feedback we are receiving is painting a very positive picture indeed. Lee Freedman and Mick Price have both given us very encouraging reports on their Statue Of Liberty two-year-olds. Clients of Freedman’s purchased the filly out of Weekend Surprise from our Premier draft this year and now named Dan Baroness, she has given the Freedman team “a very good feel indeed. She moved along beautifully during her first preparation and is back in the stable and definitely part of our A team of two-year-olds,” reported Lee recently. Bred on the same cross as Glamour Puss and Scardee Cat, we look forward to seeing this filly at the races in the not too distant future. Clients of Mick Price purchased the filly out of True Believer, also from our Premier draft, and Mick reports that she is shaping very well with a real “go ahead type of attitude. She is a half-sister to Majorca who took a little time to hit his straps but this filly looks and feels precocious.” Respected Sydney trainer Bob Thompson has a Statue Of Liberty colt out of the Top Of The Pack mare Act Of Grace. Named Liberty Square, Bob was straight forward in his assessment of the youngster; “We’re really pleased with him, he’s a precocious type and we expect he will be an early two-year-old. He’s a very athletic colt and a quick learner with a good temperament”. He’s also a Slipper nomination! Further south and Greg Eurell, who is in a real purple patch at present with some quality gallopers led by Apache Cat, has an as yet unnamed Statue Of Liberty colt out of the Tertian mare Amandine. Greg, who broke the horse in himself, describes him as; “A pretty striking colt. He’s a great mover, very athletic and chock full of common sense. He broke in very well and picks things up real quick”.

There’s plenty of water to run under the bridge with the first crop of colts and fillies but with 78 live foals from the 103 mares Statue Of Liberty covered at Blue Gum Farm in that maiden season, he has the sort of numbers required to figure prominently on the first season sires table. With a touch of luck, perhaps Statue Of Liberty will follow Blue Gum Farm foundation sire Noalcoholic (Fr) and become Australia’s Champion First Season Sire!


		Statue Of Liberty
Statue Of Liberty’s oldest Australian progeny have just turned two and as that first crop has been finding its way into some of Australia’s leading stables, the early feedback we are receiving is painting a very positive picture indeed. Lee Freedman and Mick Price have both given us very encouraging reports on their Statue Of Liberty two-year-olds.		The outbreak of equine influenza has created a lot of hurt right across the racing and breeding industry here in Australia. Since the news of the virus being present first broke the centre of attention has been the Eastern Creek quarantine station west of Sydney and as circumstance has it, Blue Gum Farm must patiently wait the release of Statue Of Liberty (USA) from that facility. With the breeding season now underway there are many breeders keen to capitilise on the early promise shown by this beautifully bred young son of Storm Cat and we thank those people for their patience and understanding. Many have also indicated that they are prepared to wait for Statue Of Liberty and we will certainly pass on any updates once they are advised. (At present we know that his health has been tip top right through quarantine period and at no time has he shown any signs of temperature. Many would be aware that those stallions on the shuttle are inoculated against equine influenza and that’s certainly the case with Statue Of Liberty.) Statue Of Liberty in the paddock we would prefer to see him in Since Statue Of Liberty’s two-year-olds have started racing in Europe, the winners have been regular as featured in this newsletter. That trend has continued and at the time of our going to press, Statue Of Liberty has recorded his 15th individual winner from just 43 starters to date. With approximately two and a half months still to run in the European season, that is a very impressive result, particularly when compared to Johannesburg’s effort in claiming the title of leading Australian First Season Sire by individual winners. His final total was three less than Statue Of Liberty’s current total! It’s worth reflecting too that Johannesburg is also from the Storm Cat line, being by the recently deceased son of Storm Cat, Hennessy! As the great Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien says; “They’re (the Storm Cat’s) just natural athletes with a lot of natural speed.” Statue Of Liberty’s oldest Australian progeny have just turned two and as that first crop has been finding its way into some of Australia’s leading stables, the early feedback we are receiving is painting a very positive picture indeed. Lee Freedman and Mick Price have both given us very encouraging reports on their Statue Of Liberty two-year-olds. Clients of Freedman’s purchased the filly out of Weekend Surprise from our Premier draft this year and now named Dan Baroness, she has given the Freedman team “a very good feel indeed. She moved along beautifully during her first preparation and is back in the stable and definitely part of our A team of two-year-olds,” reported Lee recently. Bred on the same cross as Glamour Puss and Scardee Cat, we look forward to seeing this filly at the races in the not too distant future. Clients of Mick Price purchased the filly out of True Believer, also from our Premier draft, and Mick reports that she is shaping very well with a real “go ahead type of attitude. She is a half-sister to Majorca who took a little time to hit his straps but this filly looks and feels precocious.” Respected Sydney trainer Bob Thompson has a Statue Of Liberty colt out of the Top Of The Pack mare Act Of Grace. Named Liberty Square, Bob was straight forward in his assessment of the youngster; “We’re really pleased with him, he’s a precocious type and we expect he will be an early two-year-old. He’s a very athletic colt and a quick learner with a good temperament”. He’s also a Slipper nomination! Further south and Greg Eurell, who is in a real purple patch at present with some quality gallopers led by Apache Cat, has an as yet unnamed Statue Of Liberty colt out of the Tertian mare Amandine. Greg, who broke the horse in himself, describes him as; “A pretty striking colt. He’s a great mover, very athletic and chock full of common sense. He broke in very well and picks things up real quick”. There’s plenty of water to run under the bridge with the first crop of colts and fillies but with 78 live foals from the 103 mares Statue Of Liberty covered at Blue Gum Farm in that maiden season, he has the sort of numbers required to figure prominently on the first season sires table. With a touch of luck, perhaps Statue Of Liberty will follow Blue Gum Farm foundation sire Noalcoholic (Fr) and become Australia’s Champion First Season Sire!