The cycle of life takes us all relentlessly towards the fate that awaits us, to find our place on that “untangled path”.
For Tara Stud and River Boyne , that direction led them to the Goffs and the second November 14 Foal Sale in seven years. But when River Boyne was once an unknown pony introduced to the public, now the handsome guy with a personality that matches the looks and physique of an Iron Man contestant is starting from scratch. .
In the life of a stallion, seven days can do a lot, but seven years can be eternity. In that moment, the story of River Boyne, Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) 2020 winner, made a full 360 degree revolution with his first ponies sold in Kildare Paddocks this week.
Back in November 2015, a pony of Dandy Man appeared in public for the first time at the Goffs November Foal Sale. In addition to Clytha, Mark Of Esteem’s half-sister with the multi-group winning miller and the third Ventiquattrofogli of St. James’s Palace Stakes, he was sold by his breeder, Derek Iceton of Tara Stud, to Joe Foley of Ballyhane, who stands as his father Dandy Man, for €20,000 (US$20,705).
Less than a year later, River Boyne returned to Sportsman’s Sale, where he made a huge profit with a €65,000 ($72,924) purchase by Aidan O’Ryan and Gordon Elliott.
After three 2nd runs for Elliott, he was acquired by Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal of the Cohen family to continue his career in California.
When River Boyne arrived at Jeff Mullins’ barn at Santa Anita . Park, he never looked back. Succeeded in nine races, highlighted by the thrilling level 1 loss of Get Stormy in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile, he also finished second in the 2018 Hollywood Derby (G1T) Raging Bull and won runner-up in Shoemaker Mile 2019 (G1T).
His breeder had been closely following River Boyne’s career, feeling the thrill of watching him so often scoot through the fields of class at a belatedly explosive pace.
Iceton said: “Bringing him back to stand at Tara was not a pipe project. “I have bred a lot of good horses over the years, but we used to watch this horse race Saturday nights in California and it was as tough as an old boot.
“I love his racing style, he comes out of speed and is genuine and honest. The question of standing him is often on my mind.”
Road moving forces intervened and River Boyne suffered an injury that meant it took time to race while he recovered.
Iceton said: “He retired to study, he could have come back to racing, but we made an offer and they accepted. “He retired with no problems, no wind or temperament issues, and he was a lovely person. I would never stand a horse with any such problems. .”
Interestingly, Iceton revealed that the way people view the horses standing on the farms where they were bred is not entirely beneficial to the River Boyne, despite the fact that regular larger operations for their horses retirement. When you run a smaller, independent operation, you will be judged by different parameters.
He said: “It is easier not to stand a stallion you have bred than to stand a stallion that you have bred. “It would be easier to just let him go elsewhere and just use him because people have the perception that a horse will return to its birthplace to stand.”
Team Tara hadn’t seen River Boyne since that day in November 2015, so it was no surprise when they welcomed the arrival of his carriage from the airport. They don’t need to feel anxious.
Iceton said: “I didn’t go to California to see him, and when the horse box came up, I thought, ‘This horse has so many miles on it, it runs and runs and runs, what will it be like? ‘ But he jumped out of the box, he was perfect and we smiled.”
River Boyne easily adapted to life as a stallion on the farm, from which Key Of Luck developed his successful packhorse career. At a fee of €5,000 ($5,176), he’s offered for sale at an affordable rate to commercial breeders—but don’t let this fee create any illusions.
“Ironically, the cheaper the horse, the more it should be right for starters,” says Iceton. “A €5,000 horse has to be almost perfect; it has to have the right attitude and a good female line and a good stallion.”
The acid test Iceton uses is one he learned from a previous generation.
He said: “My father used to tell me of any horse we stood, ‘Do you use it yourself?’ It’s a great way to sort things out in your mind. If you don’t prepare yourself a horse, then you shouldn’t put up with him. I myself sent him a lot of beautiful mares. “
For pin enthusiasts eyeing the market next year, there will be a ready-made market in California, as River Boyne’s racetrack owners are keen to support him. In addition, demand for grass horses in the US is increasing and a 2-year-old in good shape in Ireland or the UK will be on the radar of dealers and owners.
Iceton said: “The Cohens are lovely people and fans of Dandy Man. “They bought more Dandy Mans in the horses recently for sales training and they have said they will support the River Boyne with the sales to look forward to.
“He has brought them joy and pleasure throughout his racing career and they really want to continue that by racing with his descendants.”
The influence of American breeders and owners is growing in the European market, with more and more people coming to the big sales establishments in search of viable and affordable alternatives. for the filthy giants and corporations that are now proliferating.
A stallion that is widely recognized as a first-rate racehorse in American form will have a definite mark when it comes time to sell.
“There’s no livestock industry worth talking about in California anymore, and grass racing in the US is where it’s at now, and you just have to look at the success of European horses in the US over the past few years. , not just ranchers,” says Iceton.
There is an element of fate in the story of how River Boyne was born.
Iceton said: “I was at the counter and wanted to buy a nice puppy. William Morgan, a good friend of mine, was there and we split the sales area, but we never knew. who’s going to buy one.” part of the ground, and in the end we both went there separately.
“We came back and were having a cup of tea and William said to me, ‘I just saw some trash,’ and I replied that I had seen an item that I liked, too, and it turned out to be the same. like that. , Clytha.”
Clytha’s pony is lot 712 and goes on sale on Wednesday. By Dandy Man, she’s an interesting prospect as River Boyne’s half-sister from a family that has group winners under the three dams on her site.
“Ultimately, I’m a commercial breeder and pay the bills,” says Iceton. “But she’s a lovely little girl and a full sister to a 1st grade winner, so I wouldn’t cry over a beer if I ended up taking her home.”
As it stands, there are eight ponies from the River Boyne’s first crop slated to go on sale at Goffs during the four-day sale. He doesn’t have pony battalions like other early-season stallions, so he’ll have to make the most of his opportunities to make an impression.
“We have adorable ponies by his side here and at home,” Iceton said. “I have an older brother at home with him and I think, having bred group 1 winners for years in a row, it would be a bit ridiculous not to gather the two together and see if they could reach the top. get what.”
That foal wasn’t for sale this week, but Tara has a few others in her draft.
“He’ll have to do it himself, but they’re honest horses and I think people will like them,” Iceton said. “The most important thing is that they go to good houses.”
It is the next journey on the not so smooth road that has led River Boyne from Ireland to glory beneath the California sun and back to where it all began. An unbroken circle.
