Paul Messara, general manager at the legendary Arrowfield Stud which stands 11 stallions including the two-time champion sire Snitzel, talked to Impact about their purchase of Norzita at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, Australia’s most premium Broodmare sale.
Q: Congratulations once again, Arrowfield seems to have started a trend with records this year. Were you expecting to make such high-value deals? What kind of once-in-a-decade bucket-list record(s) is the farm currently working towards?
A: We have made a very substantial investment in our broodmare band over the past four or five years, with the aim of lifting the overall standard – on type, pedigree and race & production performance - of the mares we breed from. Quality mares like Norzita are essential for our thoroughbred breeding business, but especially when we are launching and supporting 11 stallions. We never focus on trying to achieve particular financial records, whether we’re selling yearlings or buying broodmares – what we do focus on is breeding quality horses and to do that we occasionally need to invest a considerable amount of money.
Q: Has Arrowfield planned any matings for Norzita already? What are your plans?
A: Norzita has already been confirmed for The Autumn Sun’s first book and she’s a wonderful mare for him, as a dual Group 1 winner with an outcross pedigree and a magnificent physique - she is a queen.
Q: How far in advance do you plan for a sale such as this one?
A: We have had our eye on Norzita for some time so we were well-prepared to bid on her at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, and we needed to be, because there was plenty of competition for her.
Q: With the breeding season around the corner, are there any matings you are excited about?
A: There are plenty of matings we are excited about, but here are few that we are particularly looking forward to seeing the progeny of. Maid of Heaven, our most recent Gr 1 winning mare will visit Dundeel. Secluded the dam of Pariah will head to The Autumn Sun. Lucky Raquie, a stakes-winning daughter of Monsoon Wedding, who is a full sister to Redoute’s Choice will be bred to Dundeel. And of course, Norzita will visit the Autumn Sun.
Q: What is new and exciting at Arrowfield in 2019?
A: We don’t have any boring days that are for sure! We’re currently preparing our final draft of yearlings for 2019, to be offered at the Magic Millions National Sale, 5 – 7 June; we’re marketing our 11-strong stallion roster, headed by two-time Champion Sire Snitzel (now bidding for his third Premiership), and introducing Real Steel, Showtime & The Autumn Sun; Not A Single Doubt has recently added two new Group 1 winner to his record; we’re celebrating five Group 1-winning Arrowfield graduates in 2018/19: The Autumn Sun, Kenedna, Atyaab, Castelvecchio& Maid Of Heaven; and we’re looking forward to the 2019/20 season and our next major event, the Arrowfield Stallion Open House Weekend, 23-25 August.