Debbie and Mark Smith
Farm/Stud location:
131 Myross Bush Road - Invercargill.
Farm size:
35 acres.
How did you get started in breeding?
Uncle John Gresham gave us two broodmares which were in foal.
John owned the good mare Torrent (Group One winner- best progeny - Amaze 8 wins). We bred one colt that went to the sales. It sold, then we purchased Sly Flyin's dam, Sly Soky.
What is the name of your first broodmare:
First good one - Sly Soky.
Is the priority to breed your horses for racing or to sell at the sales?
To sell at the sales.
What do you consider was the best horses you've bred and raced?
As we don't race them it would be Spicey (Christian Cullen - Sly Soky).
Best horse you have sold away from the yearling sales?
Spirit of Shard.
Best priced yearling sold at the sales?
$110,000. Colt - (Christian Cullen - She's Mighty.)
Editor's note: Mighty Shard has won 3 races from only 10 starts for trainer Geoff Small.
Highest priced colt bred and sold?
$110,000 colt - Mighty Shard and Mister Presley $105,000.
Highest priced filly bred and sold?
$55,000 for Shard's Miracle (Christian Cullen - Sly Soky) at the 2008 Premier Yearling Sales.
Best performed colt sold?
Mighty Shard.
Best-performed filly sold?
Spicey $180,000.
Favourite all time stallion:
Debbie - Christian Cullen. Mark - Live Or Die.
What new season sires are you most excited about?
P-Forty Seven - Nevele R - Tough - very athletic looking. American Ideal - love his breeding. Real Desire - won a lot of money - not sure about the Life Sign line!
How important do you feel it is to breed to a stallion that will possibly leave two year olds?
In the commerical game of selling at the sales it is extremely important to have the "early" speed.
How important do you feel research is in choosing a stallion for your mares?
Ver important. More than ever we need to look at the complete package, traits of the mare, conformation of both mare and stallion height, was the mare a knee knocker, lineage of both horses.
How important is the stallion's size?
Very, if the mare is small.
Do you prefer to see your stallion choices in the flesh?
Yes. I can see for myself the type of stallion and his nature to make my own judgement.
As a professional breeder, how often do you buy outside mares to broaden your breeding stock?
I like to update or improve bloodlines annually by buying new young broodmares from good maternal families by proven stallions.
What feeding plan do you follow went rearing your foals?
Very strict worming programme. Foals are handled and fed every day during the winter, early spring - on grass and left well alone to develop. Feet are done twice before sales.
What current New Zealand breed would you most like to buy into?
Elsu family - There's A Franco - Spreydon Lodge.
If you breed primarily pacers, would you ever consider breeding trotters?
We breed out of Lord Roterian's full sister at present.
Editor's note: The Smiths, with Bruce and Margaret Dawson bred from Darlex (Sundon - Maggie Blue) 3 wins
Was there a famous mare/horse that you had the opportunity to buy but didn't - how much did it sell for?
Sly Flyin's full brother was on his dam as a foal. We offered $5,000 when Sly Flyin was unknown. Didn't buy it. Unfortunately it died when it came to Canterbury as a yearling.
What do you most enjoy about breeding horses?
I love the foals. All the family enjoy watching the foals play. The kids spend quite a bit of time with them.
What do you consider to be the most challenging aspect about breeding horses today?
Choosing the best stallion possible so the progeny is wanted by buyers in two years time.
Debbie and Mark Smith's breeding list:
Sly Soky (21 yr old mare - Soky Atom - Sly Tabella) 3 wins.
Best progeny: Sly Flyin (Sand's A Flyin) 82 - 29 - 10 - 8 $911,689 and Spicey (Christian Cullen) 31 - 9 - 7 - 1 $123,967.
Editor's note: Shard's Miracle, Sly Soky's yearling filly was bought by Tony Herlihy for $55,000 at the New Zealand Yearling Sales in Christchurch.
Sly Shard (7 yr old mare - Panarama - Sly Soky) 4 wins
Best progeny: Smiling Shard (Grinfromeartoear) 24-11-6-3 $780,150 and 1.53.7
Editor's note: Cran Dalgety purchased Smiling Shard (Grinfromeartoear) for $41,000 at the Christchurch Yearling Sales in February.Smiling Shard won the 2 year old Emerald at the 2009 Harness Jewels in Ashburton running the mile in 1-53.7.
Shards A Flyin (5 yr old mare - Sands A Flyin - Sly Soky) maiden mare.
Progeny: No racing progeny.
She's Mighty (12 yr old mare - New York Motoring - Mighty Miss Mac) 1 win.
Best progeny: Likemesiah (Christian Cullen) 81 - 13 - 8 - 9 $427,465, Mighty Cullen (Christian Cullen) 46 - 8 - 9 - 9 $200,639) and Shard Ark (Badlands Hanover) 17-3-0-4 $69,888.
Editor's note: She's Mighty's Badlands Hanover colt (Shard Ark) was purchased by Southland trainer, Tom Kilkelly for $20,000 at the NZ Premier Yearling Sales in Christchurch. He qualified as a two year old 14/01/09 and went on to win the 2009 PGG Wrightson NHT Pace in Auckland.
Annette's Reign (9 yr old mare OK Bye - Van Reign) maiden mare.
Progeny: Shardland 32-2-3-4 $16,358 Shard's Reign (exported to Australia).
Last Excuse (6 yr old mare - Live Or Die - My Excuse) maiden mare.
Progeny: Recently qualified - Their Excuse
Editor's note: Ben and Karen Calder from Grinaldi Lodge at Ryal Bush purchased this black Filly at the New Zealand Premier Yearling Sales in Christchurch. They paid $25,000.
