Shaking the Helenus tree

The much-travelled Helenus has found a home and a growth in popularity.

Trainer Pat Carey came up with a great line when said that West Australian breeder Trevor Delroy only needs to “shake his Helenus tree” and another good horse will drop out.

Carey has trained the outstanding Group winners, Ethiopia (2012 Group 1 AJC Australian Derby), Cedarberg (2011 Group 1 The BMW) and Ulundi (Listed Lord Stakes) for Delroy—all sired by Helenus and bred by Delroy when the horse stood in Western Australia.

Delroy’s decision to send Helenus (b h 1999, Helissio (FR)-Worldwide Elsie (USA), by Java Gold (USA)) east after the 2009 season when the stallion covered only 15 mares was a risk—Helenus first stood at Woodside Park in Victoria in 2010 with no fanfare and no interest, and served five mares; he fared little better in 2011, at Wattle Grove Stud, near Bowral in NSW, where he covered nine mares.

However, following the magnificent win of Ethiopia (b g 2008, ex Shona, by Spectrum (IRE)) in the AJC Derby at Randwick, Delroy’s faith has been matched by Wattle Grove’s good fortune. The phone at the fledgling farm, run by former Inglis bloodstock expert Ian Macpherson and Varda Green, has been ringing constantly with bookings to the 2002 Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby winner.

The hint for breeders is that Helenus’ two Group 1 winners, Ethiopia and Cedarberg, are out of Spectrum (by Rainbow Quest (USA)) mares. Breeders with mares by Spectrum, who stood for many years at Yarraman Park, and Rainbow Quest’s Epsom Derby winner, Quest For Fame, who stood at Woodlands Stud, have every reason to pick up the phone, and they are.

Such has been the interest in the horse, that Helenus is now taking lead-billing at Wattle Grove, ahead of younger sires Shellscrape (by Dane Shadow), who covered 59 mares in his first season last year, and the new boy for 2012, Master Harry (by Magic Albert).

With his hands full this year with three relatively popular stallions, it is little wonder Macpherson, a former trainer, decided to leave Inglis after the Easter yearling sales to work the stud as well as look after a group of regular bloodstock clients, including leading owners Barrie and Midge Griffiths, who value Macpherson’s expert eye for a young horse.

Helenus’ 2012 fee is on application.

Master Harry is an interesting addition to Australia’s stallions ranks, especially as he offers a continuation of the Showdown sire-line that has survived thanks to the marvellous racehorse and sire Zeditave (by Showdown’s son, The Judge) and his emerging sire-son, Magic Albert.

Master Harry was impressive winning the 2011 Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) and two Listed races over 1000 metres at Flemington. He is a fast member of a fast and durable sire line that also is represented by Larneuk Stud’s new stallion, Ilovethiscity.

Master Harry will stand his first season at $6600. Shellscrape’s fee is $8800.