Roger Price
Farm/Stud location:
Winton.
Farm size:
24 acres.
How did you get started in breeding?
My father was breeding horses when I was a child. In those days there was no TV and a day out was a day at the races. My father was breeding horses in the 1930's.
What is the name of your first broodmare:
Lady Kent.
Editor's note: Lady Kent was by Flying Song out of the Dillion Hall mare Maidstone. She was bred by Roger's father FL Price. Her best racing stock were Maida Kent (filly by Dick Adios 2-14.2), Helena Kent (filly by Brad Hanover 2-15.2) and Kentigern (colt by Brad Hanover 2-03.4PL,1M*).
Is the priority to breed your horses for racing or to sell at the sales?
Racing.
What do you consider was the best horse you've bred and raced?
Bellaholmes (Holmes Hanover - Belladonna) 13-6-1-4 $41,280 and 1-54.0 USA), Looksaflyer (Sands A Flyin - Love At First Sight) 36-8-6-4 $88,678 and Presidential Reign (Presidential Ball - Fuel Queen) 37-10-9-4 $115,714 and 1-56.7.
Best priced yearling sold away from the sales?
Bellaholmes and Scotty Mac (Mach Three - Belladonna 25-8-4-4 $62,644).
Highest priced filly bred and sold?
Bellaholmes
Best bred colts or gelding sold?
Prince Of Flight (Direct Flight - Cadillac Queen 13-5-2-2 $26,233 and 1-53.4 USA), Cadillac Kent (Cadillac - Belladonna 15-1-1-0 $5,250 plus 20 Australaian wins) and Scotty Mac.
Best performed filly sold?
Bellaholmes and Kievline (Keiv Hanover - Deighline 23-2-3-2 $10,853)
Favourite all time stallion?
Mach Three
What new season sires are you most excited about?
Shadow Play - Champion racehorse and fast.
How important do you feel it is to breed to a stallion that will possibly leave two year olds?
Very important.
How important do you feel research is in choosing a stallion for your mares?
8 out of 10.
How important is the stallion's size?
Important. Generally large stallions have not been successful.
Do you prefer to see your stallion choices in the flesh?
Not in particular. Rely on ability and money won.
As a professional breeder, how often do you buy outside mares to broaden your breeding stock?
Only if I think it is better than the one it's going to replace.
What current New Zealand breed would you most likely buy into?
Blackwatch family
What feeding plan do you follow when rearing your foals?
Good husbandry and common sense.
If you breed primarily pacers, would you ever consider breeding trotters?
Love to but time is running out!
What do you most enjoy about breeding horses?
Being able to breed a mare that consistently leaves winners. Top mares generally are from leading sires.
What do you consider to be the most challenging aspect about breeding horses today?
Breeding to proven stallions. The percentage of sires that become successful is very low, especially in producing young racehorses (2 and 3 yr olds) where concessions are all important. Selecting stallions, especially new ones, is a real gamble because they can be promoted as exceptional potential but most don't make the grade. When Mach Three arrived in New Zealand I potentially thought he was the best sire to come to New Zealand in a long time as his genetics were ideal for this country.
Roger Price's breeding list:
Belladonna (Bo Scots Blue Chip - Bella Kent) maiden mare
Best progeny: Bellaholmes (Holmes Hanover 13-6-1-4 $41,280 and 1-54.0 USA), Pocket Express (In The Pocket 18-4-4-1 $24,687) and Scotty Mac 35-9-4-5 $73,283.
Fuel Queen (Save Fuel - Queen Of Spades) 5 wins.
Best progeny: Super Queen (Holmes Hanover 10-2-1-1 $7,438), Presidential Reign (Presidential Ball 37-10-9-4 $115,714 and 1-56.7) and Cullens Consort (Christian Cullen 20-5-4-0 $37,698 and 1-58.5 AUS).
Love At First Sight (What's Next - Jef's Galleria) unraced.
Best progeny: Looksaflyer (Sands A Flyin 36-8-6-4 $88,678), All In A Night (Tuapeka Knight 20-2-5-0 $8,000) and Loves A Flyin (Sands A Flyin 26-5-4-1 $28,863 and 1-53. 1 USA).
Presidential Reign (Presidential Ball - Fuel Queen) 10 wins.
Machrie (Mach Three).
