Hastings Handicapper

Brian McGregor-Foxcroft

 

04/ 02/ 00 – Vancouver: They called him Mr. P (Prospector, that is). Although he died in 1999, by the end of the year he was the leading Broodmare Sire for the third consecutive year, with accumulated 1999 earnings of $11,013,234. And, according to the pundits, his next crop of racing age young could keep him at the top for the next year or two. For those who follow thoroughbred sales in North America, you may recall that several of his yearlings were sold for two and three million dollars each last year. It is hard to fault the impressive record of that old sprinter’s progeny. You will find them running on almost every race track in the world on both dirt and turf. His only real rivals, at the moment, are the progeny of Storm Cat.

 

Mr. Prospector youngsters have made only a moderate showing on race tracks around the Pacific North West. But there is one exception that deserves mention, and his name is Alnaab, who stands fifth on the leading sires list in Washington State. Hastings fans will recall one of his youngsters, Naab A Boat, who had a good year in 98. Hastings fans also got to watch several other Alnaab young run at the Park, including Naabagail, Naab The Cab, and First Edition. These did modestly well, while south of the border Naab The Win got up to win the Pepsi Cola at Emerald Downs. Like Mr. P, they are best at the sprint, very fast and deadly, running as they do, off the pace. Still, Alnaab has been one of the most overlooked and underrated sires of the Pacific North West. He has produced a few stakes winners, but his most lasting contribution to the track has been the endurance and consistency of his young.

 

Next in line of outstanding sires in the Pacific North West is Free At Last, by Wild Again. Free At Last’s stud fee is only $2,500, a very reasonable sum when you note that Wild Again’s stud fee is a whopping $75,000. As I’ve mentioned before, Free At Last fillies are about the most consistent runners at Hastings Park. If you’re looking for a bloodline that produces fast and sturdy runners, it’s this line. They have competed successfully at all levels over the past few years at the Park. Therefore it is no surprise that Free At Last stands eighth on the sires list in Washington State.

 

And, before I pass on to other business, I must mention John Casey, who stands at fifty-first place on the Washington sires list, and is a son of Prince John (who was leading broodmare sire in 1979, 1980, and 1986), and was the son of Princequillo. This bloodline is notable for its stamina and endurance, especially through the great Round Table. For those looking to breed more strength into their stock, this is the line to breed to. And with a stud fee of only $750 American, it’s an exceptional bargain.

 

The latest news from Hastings Park is that the posts of General Manager and Director of Racing are being advertised throughout North America. This will have to be settled within the next month or so, with the new season just around the corner. But the new manager will have his hands full with building a team around him who can come up with solutions to the many problems that face racing in BC. The industry here needs fresh ideas and innovations to revamp the sport and attract new patrons and supporters. It’s a monumental task, but not an impossible one. There is so much riding on the good management of Hastings Park, including the entire thoroughbred industry in this province. In spite of the fact that several sires have been moved to stand at stud in Alberta, the good news is that all local trainers will be bringing their horses back to Hastings for the Year 2000 meet.

 

Above all, everyone involved with racing in BC must pull together to make the industry strong and vigorous. This is no time for personal gripes and pet peeves. Our aim should be to support each other and the track. This will involve team work towards a common goal. Clearly, we need to do more to make ourselves more high-profile to everyone in this province, and chiefly to the politicians who currently have too much control of our fate. Speaking for myself, I look forward to the means which will be employed by Hastings Park to meet the challenge. And, equally, I Iook forward to the upcoming 2000 meet. It is always a thrill to watch the new crop of youngsters about to make their first starts. So many dreams are always riding with them.

 

Until my next column, good racing to you all.