Page 14 - March 2008 The Game

14 The Game, February 2008
RFich bloodlines drive Park Stud lineup
Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper stand on his own merits. Vibank is
By Adam Hickman Survivalist, whose rst foals are due to or the third time in four drop in early February.
breeding seasons, Michael and All three are exquisitely bred and
Gifted with all of the attributes required of a stallion, Vibank, Tomahawk and Survivalist may give Park Stud a triple-barreled shot of making as important an impact on the Canadian breed.
by undefeated Silver Deputy. It is the performance of a son of Silver Deputy named Posse that had a signi cant impact on the decision to stand the Jim and Alice Sapara charge Vibank. Posse was North America’s top freshman sire in 2007.
Laurel Byrne’s Park Stud Farm will offer a signi cant new face for Ontario breeders to consider in their annual matchmaking deliberations.
by three different sires renowned for producing colts that have gone on to successful stud careers.
As handsome as he is bril-
liant, Vibank will share quarters in the Orangeville stallion barn with
Park Stud is more than familiar with
“We couldn’t be more excited to have three horses that are so well
bred that have appeal beyond Ontario. We’re getting mares from elsewhere to breed to these stallions,” said Byrne.
Tomahawk, whose rst two-year-
didn’t spend 10 consecutive seasons
olds will be in action this year, and
as Canada’s top stallion through sheer
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what it takes to engineer a successful
stallion career. After all, Bold Ruckus
“When Posse got to be such a hot young sire, Jim Sapara and I got talk- ing, along with Gail Wood. We all got together and thought this horse is ideal
chance.
Vibank is far from a ll-in and will
for Canada,” explained Byrne.
The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) 2008 Canadian-Bred Yearling Sale
Woodbine Sales Pavilion Woodbine Racetrack
Ontario, Canada
Nomination Closing Date
March 3, 2008
Selected Yearling Session
September 2, 2008
Preferred Yearling Session
September 6, 2008
Entries Close on May 30, 2008
Canada’s Annual Sale of Champions!
For further information contact: The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) P.O. Box 172 | Rexdale, Ontario | Canada M9W 5L1 Phone: 416-675-3602 | Fax: 416-675-9405 Email: cthsont@idirect.com | Website: www.cthsont.com
On the racetrack,
Vibank displayed as much brilliance as a young colt can show as a two-year- old. The Josie Carroll train- ee reeled off three consecu- tive victories, including
the Victoria and Clarendon Stakes at ve and 5 1⁄2 fur- longs, respectively and was a Sovereign Award’s nalist for Champion Two- Year-Old Colt.
“He has a ton of quality,” said Byrne. “He’s by a top sire. The mare (Princess Ruckus) is a half-sister to Langfuhr, who is a top sire in the United States. We’re not talking about just some local horse. He has serious speed and he’s as good a looking horse as you could see anywhere.”
Vibank retired with four career wins, two seconds and $248,084 from just 11 starts. He was nearly untouchable at a trip
less than six furlongs, compiling a record of four wins and one second from six attempts.
Speed will always be
a valued commodity in a thoroughbred pedigree. If Vibank passes his speed on as well as he has received it from ancestors like Deputy Minister, Mr. Prospector and the afore- mentioned Bold Ruckus, he could be a key source for the next several years.
Vibank joins the Park Stud roster at the same time as it loses the services of Perigee Moon. The son of Hennessy could no lon- ger perform in the breeding shed.
“There’s no point in him living a life of frustration. In fairness to him, we had him gelded. He’s going
to be a riding horse,” said Byrne.
Continued Page 16
The Game February 2008.indd
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1/28/08 11:16:32 PM
Dave Landry