Christchurch-based sire My Halo (by Southern Halo) extended an outstanding run of success this season with his progeny winning on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday and winning a total of five races in the space of four days.
My Halo, who stands at Berkley Stud and is currently the leading sire in Macau, has been churning out the winners with great regularity in recent months. In fact since March 14, when Le Saint (My Halo x La Chatelaine) won the Ashburton Racing Club Autumn Cup, the progeny of My Halo have won a total of 13 races.
As Ascot in Perth on Sunday the quality mare Special Reserve served notice she will be hard to be beat in the upcoming major sprint races in Western Australia with a fine win over 1000 metres.
The Bob Peters-trained mare has now had six starts in Australia and recorded five wins and a second placing from these appearances. Her immediate goal will be the A$75,000 Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont on May 17.
In New Zealand the progeny of My Halo were to the fore by winning three races at the two-day Marlborough race-meeting and also recording an open handicap win at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The notable Te Rapa win was recorded by the Kelly Burne-trained My Astron who landed the winning prize in the Presland Tocker Insurance Premier 1400. The four-year-old scored at odds of 16-to-one in the hands of Kane Smith and has now been successful on four occasions.
On Thursday the Marlborough success came when Shane Kennedy-trained Zapahalo (My Halo ex Top Cut) scored in fine style.
On Sunday at the same venue the success came when Chris Johnson-trained Elshadai (My Halo x Emerging Star) broke through for his maiden victory over 1400m.
The success by Elshadai adai marked the 48th individual winner sired by My Halo who has been represented by winners in six countries.
Also on Sunday in the final event at the Marlborough meeting Gufi (My Halo x Newginn) scored over 1000m in the Easy FM Rating 1000m.
Berkley Stud co-owner Edwina Morris said My Halo's stud career has reached new heights this season and his progeny are being strongly sought after by international buyers.
"The level of success by his progeny on the racetrack this season has really raised the bar on his stud career," Morris said.
"There is now very strong demand for his stock. Trials winners are quickly being snapped up by overseas buyers.
"His progeny are doing very well in Asia. They have great constitution and are natural speed horses," she said.
For several months My Halo has been the leading sire on the Macau sires' table ahead of other New Zealand-based sires such as Pins and Volksraad. He has sired nine individual winners in Macau which have amassed 23 race wins.
My Halo's leading performer in Macau has been Ka Lam Fortune, winner of the 2007 Macau Derby and six-times successful in 25 starts. He was a strong-finishing second on April 12 in the Macau Hong Kong Gr1 Trophy.
My Halo's progeny were also in strong demand at this year's New Zealand Bloodstock Carnival Sale at Karaka with one of his colts fetching $65,000 to the bid of top New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler.
My Halo began stud duties at Berkley Stud in 2001.
One of his most notable performers this season has been O'Cartier who won the Gr. 3 Stewards Handicap (1200m ) at Riccarton last November and went on to win the Listed Lightning Stakes at Trentham on March 15.
