Forward thinking in the left field

Three striking, lookalike foals at Arrowfield represent some left-field thinking that has already paid off with important results.

All three foals are by Charge Forward from the Redoute’s Choice mares Belle Giselle, Choice Blend and High Style. Five of Charge Forward’s eight stakeswinners are also from Danehill-line mares, including his latest pair, Urban Groove (from a Flying Spur mare) and last weekend’s MRC Thoroughbred Club S. G3 winner Cavalry Rose (whose dam Alberton Rose is by Danske).

Pictured: Charge Forward’s 3YO daughter Cavalry Rose, bred by Grant Briscoe, sprints to Group-winning status at Caulfield last Saturday. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)

Charge Forward, completely free not only of Danzig but also Northern Dancer, joined the Arrowfield roster in 2005 just as Australian breeders were beginning to realise that mares by Danehill & sons would need outcross mates. Even now, seven years later, the Australian Stud Book reports that 36.3% of all stallions descend from Danzig, with 30% of the national total being a Danehill son or grandson.

Danehill sons & grandsons covered 37% of all mares mated in 2011, and of the 280,000 mares covered during the 11 seasons, 2001-2011, one-quarter were covered by Danehill descendants.

As a precocious and high-class Group 1-winning son of Red Ransom and the Bletchingly mare Sydney’s Dream, Charge Forward answers the outcross question perfectly. His pedigree combines the best of international and Australian bloodlines, and his compact physique complements mares by Danehill’s most imposing champion sire sons, Flying Spur & Redoute’s Choice .

Charge Forward’s compatibility with Danehill augurs well for Arrowfield’s other son of Red Ransom, All American , whose first crop yearlings come up for sale this summer. Also a precocious 2YO, All American brings new ingredients to the genetic cookbook, with a bigger physique and record-breaking Group 1 success at 1600 metres.

New sire Smart Missile brings another combination into play, as a supernaturally gifted son of Fastnet Rock from a mare by a son of Red Ransom.

However, Arrowfield’s fresh thinking has not stopped at the Red Ransom sireline. Another line, this time from within the Northern Dancer tribe itself, is proving an effective foil for Danzig and Danehill. A recent example of its success was Whittington’s victory in the ATC Breeders’ S. LR earlier this month.

Whittington is by Storm Cat’s son Tale of the Cat from a mare by Danzig’s grandson Beautiful Crown. The near-reverse combination of Danehill sons over mares by Storm Cat sons is thoroughly well-tested, with 25 stakes performers on the board, among them six Group 1 winners.

One of those Group 1 winners gives a clue to Arrowfield’s thinking with their other new sire this season, Gio Ponti – the best racing son of Tale of the Cat. 2011 ATC Oaks G1 winner Absolutely is by Redoute’s Choice from Catshaan, a daughter of Catrail (by Storm Cat).

And those three Redoute’s Choice mares that have just delivered those cracking foals by Charge Forward? They are all visiting Gio Ponti this spring…