INDIAN BASED STALLION WESTERN VERSE [USA] TO SHUTTLE TO AUSTRALIA

May 27, 2004

Close on the heels of Beat It Dude’s victory in Korea earlier this month comes the news that a stallion based in India will now be covering mares in Australia during our off season which coincides with the covering season in the Southern Hemisphere. Shuttle stallions are fairly common in Ireland and USA with Danehill being the most successful such stallion, establishing a dynasty in Australia apart from siring top class performers in the Northern Hemisphere. 

The first-ever shuttle stallion from India, Arabesque Stud Farm’s Western Verse[USA] departed for Australia earlier this week. A son of Gone West – sire also of Elusive Quality, whose son Smarty Jones is presently the champion three- year-old in the United States – out of Epsom Oaks victress, Reams Of Verse, Western Verse[USA] is very closely related to the ill-fated Zafonic.

He is to stand at Morning Sun Ranch, Serpentine, Western Australia, a modern, purpose-built 350-acre property for the Southern Hemisphere season 2004. The stallion is presently undergoing quarantine in the United States, and is expected to arrive in Australia towards the end of July.

A product of the top class Juddmonte Farms breeding operation, Western Verse[USA] was an impressive winner on debut as a two-year-old at the prestigious Knavesmire track at York as early as May. The leading racing publication, the Racing Post reported “WESTERN VERSE, Henry Cecil’s first two-year- old runner of the season, made an extremely bright start to his career. It was not so much that he won but the professional style of his

Western Verse (USA)

victory that was so impressive. Bowling along at the head of affairs, he looked a natural as he steamed clear of his toiling rivals before idling towards the finish. A handy-sized horse…with plenty of physical strength”

In the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, he was better fancied than Rock Of Gibraltar (seven consecutive Group 1 wins, including the 2000 Guineas, Gr.1; sire at Coolmore Australia) and Landseer (ill-fated winner of the French 2000 Guineas, Gr.1) but was found to have been suffering from a respiratory infection. 

Juddmonte Farms Racing Manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, commented: “This colt had serious athletic ability. We really did think highly of him and expected him to go to the top. In the spring, he worked like a Group horse. He was tested on a treadmill, where the vet remarked of his rare and superior athletic ability”  

Champion trainer, Henry Cecil, added: "WESTERN VERSE is out of the Classic winning, Champion and multiple Group 1 winner REAMS OF VERSE and hails from the immediate family of top class sires including ZAFONIC, ZAMINDAR and ELMAAMUL. WESTERN VERSE had tremendous ability, speed and precocity.  I can see him making a top class stallion and his progeny handling any ground, he is sure to get two year old winners".

James Underwood’s European Racing & Breeding Digest reported: “Henry Cecil ..…sent out a promising looking youngster in Western Verse to make an eye-catching winning debut. Strongly made, he controlled the race from almost the start….”

Western Verse was imported into India in January 2003 and in two seasons has covered around 80 mares. His first crop are foals and number around 25. He is expected to return to India early next year.

His shipment to Australia was arranged by M/s. Livestock Logistics, Mumbai.