GOD'S OWN - THE RIGHT CHOICE

God’s Own has capped a memorable ‘debut’ in the sales ring this year, topping the averages for covering sires at the recent Great Southern Bloodstock Sale in Melbourne. From the Gold Coast, through to Melbourne and on to Easter, God’s Own’s yearlings were keenly sought by an international buying bench, paying up to $300,000 for the privilege ... 10 times service fee.

Encouragingly, reports filtering back from trainers on how their rising God’s Own 2YOs have broken in is another huge leap forward and  don’t be surprised to see a couple make an appearance in the spring. (Two of his colts have already been named: God Help Us and Son of God! ... expect a few more word plays in the coming months).

Inevitably, comparisons are being drawn between God’s Own and his sire, Redoute’s Choice.

Both won a Caulfield Guineas, a race renowned for unveiling Champion sires: Redoute’s Choice in a head bobber and God’s Own in one of the remarkable performances of a generation.

Both could sprint. Redoute’s Choice won the Manikato at 3, while God’s Own - in arguably his greatest show - pulled lengths off world champion, Takeover Target, in the Lightning Stakes-G1 (another sire shaping race) to miss by a whisker.

What’s more, God’s Own is one of only two sons of Redoute’s Choice to win at two before going on to win a Group One at three.

Both God’s Own and Redoute’s Choice have tremendous presence and are athletically akin ... although Redoute’s Choice does have more white on his near hind.

God’s Own, like his sire and legendary grandsire, Danehill, is clearly colour dominant. Supported by leading breeders since day one, God’s Own has produced 242 live foals from his two crops and you won’t find a chestnut among them! A tremendously fertile stallion, God’s Own covered 196 mares last season, the largest book for a Victorian sire and third in Australia overall.

Far more prescient however - and the best argument for sending your mare to God’s Own this spring - is what happened with Redoute’s Choice’s fourth crop of yearlings.

While Redoute’s Choice’s first youngsters were warmly received - in a similar ball park to that of God’s Own’s own - the fourth crop went through the roof averaging $597,000 as yearlings.

Imagine for a moment if God’s Own produces a couple of early stakeswinners? It’s quite clear that buyers love his types and that’s not going to change. Nor is the quality of broodmare patronising the stallion which has remained rock solid in three springs thus far. In fact, the bar was probably raised a little higher last year.

Some people say that year four is the toughest - it should actually be the best. One thing’s for sure, while Redoute’s Choice’s fee might have dropped in a tough economic climate, you can rest assured he’ll never be standing at $30,000 again!

And here’s a few more reasons to phone David Somers (0428 440 330) or Mark Lindsay (0416 334 338) to make a booking ... Eliza Park offers extended payment of service fee to 31 March 2010, the transfer of a free return to the purchaser of any mare sold in foal to God’s Own, we’ll waive the foaling fee if the mare foals down at Eliza Park and, we’ll pay the Super VOBIS nomination for the first 40 mares booked through the stud.

God’s Own is definitely the right choice.