International stallion Too hot Having been sidelined for some time during the recent breeding season in the Northern Hemisphere, untimely illness saw the stallion abruptly withdrawn from shuttle duty in Australia this spring.
The revelation of the minor incident at Dalham Hall stud in Newmarket comes as those close to the rising star at Watership Down, which owns him in partnership with Godolphin, reflect on the huge impact he has made on both sides of the globe in such a short space of time.
In doing so, UK-based Watership Down Stud general manager Simon Marsh revealed that the difficult commercial decision not to take the promising stallion to Darley’s Kelvinside operation in the Hunter Valley this year was made in the horse’s best interests.
“This year he was out (nearly) two weeks in the middle of the season. We felt he was important and we felt that was like a warning sign (to us) that for the good of the horse, the most sensible thing to do was not to take him this year,” Marsh told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“We are absolutely open to the possibility of him working again in future years. It’s a purely horse welfare situation. He’s recovered brilliantly and finished his season well. He’s had as many mares pregnant this year as he’s ever had and the horse has come back in great form.”
Sire of Australia’s first 12 winners last season, led by the Group 1-winning colt bred by Godolphin Wide plank and five other racehorses, European champion 2- and 3-year-old Too Darn Hot was awarded the coveted maiden stallion title with prize money for his offspring of A$4.165 million.
While Australian breeders wait for the next champions to emerge to take over I am invincible , Snitzel And The tycoon writes The news that Too Darn Hot would not return to Australia this season was widely seen as a blow to the nation’s commercial breeders looking for an up-and-coming stallion, especially one with such deep outbred pedigree.
“We are disappointed for Australian horse breeders more than anything,” Marsh said. “But as I said, it doesn’t mean the horses will never be the same again.
“We are so grateful for the support that Australian breeders have given him over the past few years, none more so than Peter O’Brien and Segenhoe Stud. It was fantastic for them to be rewarded at this year’s Magic Millions by selling a colt for $1.9 million. They have had great faith in him since he went out there.
“As well as the Darley and Godolphin team at Kelvinside who have looked after him so well and done everything to get mares to him and get him to the stage we are at now. The same can be said of the team at Darley at Newmarket.”
While Too Darn Hot won’t be returning to Australia this year, Marsh says the breed could see up to 60 mares over the course of the Southern Hemisphere from September to December.
