Part of the legendary Mike de Kock string, Australian bred Alfolk started his career successfully in South Africa before being shifted to Dubai earlier this year. Ten Furlongs speaks to Alfolk’s breeder’s Catriona & Royston Murphy and her husband Royston about the interesting son of Lonhro:
Q: Alfolk is a very well-bred horse. How did this come about? Is Alfolk’s dam, Alteza Real is one of your broodmares?
A: Alteza Real was acquired from a close friend privately. We were at the races one day and saw her debut win and she was a mare that we followed with great interest. Not long after that Phillipa Duncan called me and asked if we were interested in buying her as she was retiring. We always liked Exceed and Excel mares as a broodmare sire and she would fit in very nicely with our mare band going forward. She was the first mare that we bought.
Q: Was he sold at a privately or at a sale? If it’s the latter which sale was he sold at? Do you remember whom he was sold to originally?
A: A folk (AUS) was offered through 2016 William Inglis Sydney Easter Sale. He was sold for $380,000 to highly regarded judge Angus Gold for Shadwell Stud.
Q: He’s done well in South Africa and he is finding his feet in Dubai. Did you expect him to travel as much as he has?
A: Angus mentioned that he would travel to South Africa but it's great to see him show enough ability to warrant him going to Dubai.
Q: What are your plans for Sledmere? How do you see it growing? What is the bucket list of races you would like to see the horses you breed win?
A: Sledmere was owned by my (Catriona) Great Aunt Ann Raymond who passed away in 2013. I and my husband took over the property in 2013 so for the last 6 years we have put a lot of investment into the development of infrastructure on the farm. This is seen the property from carrying 60 horses to now carrying 500 during our busiest times. Our main business is breeding and attending all of the major Australian sales.
Q: Do you breed horses with races in-mind or do you breed them to have an overall athleticism?
A: In Australia, breeding is more focused around sprinters especially 2-year-olds which is the main objective. Breeding a good physical type that looks like an athlete is what we try to achieve.
Q: What are the sales you target to sell you more premier yearlings?
A: Magic Millions at the Gold Coast in January and the William Inglis Easter Yearling Sales are the two top sales we aim to attend to sell at
Q: How would you define a commercial stallion? Do you prefer outcrossed yearlings or a bit of a mix is a good thing?
A: To us, a commercial stallion is a horse that gives a good return on investment in the sales ring and as well as on the racetrack. Both the physical as well as an athlete is very important when selecting our mattings for our mares.
Q: How many horses and foals can you comfortably agist at any time?
A: Generally during the season we foal down 175 mares with close to another 60 maidens/dry mares and carry around 100 yearlings
Q: What's been the most satisfying sale that you’ve ever made? Has it ever happened that the sale price of a horse has surprised you?
A: There have been numerous highlights over the years with our sale results which included selling Millions of dollar horses for our clients. Selling our own ones always give you a great buzz. Probably the most recent one was a weanling we purchased for $32,000 and sold 6 months later at the Inglis Classic Sales in Sydney for $310,000.
Q: What do you think of the concept of The Everest race? Do you think its something which Australia will adopt in other cities or regions as well?
A: The Everest has been a great concept and has captured the public imagination. We are all for encouraging new investment and interest in our great sport and races like these really help. All the racing clubs in Australia are doing a wonderful job of increasing the prize money and developing new concepts. Australian racing prize money is now some of the best on offering in the world.
Published In Tenfurlongs Journey To The Dubai World Cup Vol - VI
Click To view the complete The Tenfurlongs Library -http://tenfurlongs.secretariatsworld.com/
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com