Niagara
Trish Dunell
A serious illness of principal Greg Griffin has forced the Hawke's Bay operation Lime Country Thoroughbreds to relocate their stallion Niagara.
Having created a big impression with his first crop yearlings at auction this summer, he will be transferred to The Oaks Stud in Cambridge, where he will join Darci Brahma and Roc De Cambes.
Lime Country will continue as an agistment and sales preparation business, but imminent heart surgery means that Griffin has to step back from the stud side of the operation.
"Greg has had heart valve issues since his teenage years and has already had two major operations," his wife Jo said.
"He has managed a large workload well until recently, but now he faces a third lot of surgery.
"As a family we've decided that our priority is Greg and standing a stallion with all that goes with the breeding season is no longer an option.
"We're naturally very disappointed, but we believe we're making the right decision in relocating Niagara to The Oaks, who are part of his ownership syndicate and will give the horse every chance."
Niagara, a Group Two-winning son of Encosta de Lago from the illustrious family of Redoute's Choice, Al Maher and Manhattan Rain, has made a big impression since taking up duties in 2013.
In his first three seasons he has covered 336 mares and his first crop yearlings were met by strong demand in both New Zealand and Australia, selling up to $85,000 off his $5000 service fee.
His Karaka Select yearlings averaged more than $53,000, while this week one of his yearlings fetched $75,000 at the Melbourne Premier Sale.
"Niagara was the stallion we chose after a long search and he's given our operation a tremendous start," Griffin said.
"We and the rest of the syndicate will continue to support him and it's exciting to think that his first crop are only a matter of months away from appearing on the track."
That factor is uppermost in the mind of The Oaks Stud general manager Rick Williams, who sees a definite place for Niagara on his roster following the retirement of Bachelor Duke due to fertility issues.
"Greg and Jo have done all the hard work with Niagara, which means we are in a very good position to carry that on. We've been happy to patronise him with the share-holding we've held to this point and we'll be sending more mares to him from here on."
Having created a big impression with his first crop yearlings at auction this summer, he will be transferred to The Oaks Stud in Cambridge, where he will join Darci Brahma and Roc De Cambes.
Lime Country will continue as an agistment and sales preparation business, but imminent heart surgery means that Griffin has to step back from the stud side of the operation.
"Greg has had heart valve issues since his teenage years and has already had two major operations," his wife Jo said.
"He has managed a large workload well until recently, but now he faces a third lot of surgery.
"As a family we've decided that our priority is Greg and standing a stallion with all that goes with the breeding season is no longer an option.
"We're naturally very disappointed, but we believe we're making the right decision in relocating Niagara to The Oaks, who are part of his ownership syndicate and will give the horse every chance."
Niagara, a Group Two-winning son of Encosta de Lago from the illustrious family of Redoute's Choice, Al Maher and Manhattan Rain, has made a big impression since taking up duties in 2013.
In his first three seasons he has covered 336 mares and his first crop yearlings were met by strong demand in both New Zealand and Australia, selling up to $85,000 off his $5000 service fee.
His Karaka Select yearlings averaged more than $53,000, while this week one of his yearlings fetched $75,000 at the Melbourne Premier Sale.
"Niagara was the stallion we chose after a long search and he's given our operation a tremendous start," Griffin said.
"We and the rest of the syndicate will continue to support him and it's exciting to think that his first crop are only a matter of months away from appearing on the track."
That factor is uppermost in the mind of The Oaks Stud general manager Rick Williams, who sees a definite place for Niagara on his roster following the retirement of Bachelor Duke due to fertility issues.
"Greg and Jo have done all the hard work with Niagara, which means we are in a very good position to carry that on. We've been happy to patronise him with the share-holding we've held to this point and we'll be sending more mares to him from here on."
