Dr Kevin Pendergast and his Riverdene Stud operation have secured Group 1 winning sprinter Bon Hoffa for stud duties.
The brilliant sprinter arrived on the Wagga Wagga property early in the New Year and will be afforded a lengthy preparation towards his first breeding season in 2009.
One of the most charismatic gallopers seen in competition during the past couple of Melbourne racing seasons, Bon Hoffa won no fewer than nine races and placed on another three occasions, netting over $700,000 in prizemoney for his syndicate of owners.
The undoubted highlight of a highly prominent racing career came in September 2007 when Bon Hoffa won the Group 1 MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes by almost a clear length.
One of the most prestigious open handicaps of each and every Melbourne Spring Carnival, Bon Hoffa started the contest as the 7/2 favourite of a 13 horse field and subsequently defeated the likes of Niconero (2nd), Wonderful World (3rd), Divine Madonna (5th), Orange County (9th), Anamato (12th) and Undue (15th) — all winners in Group 1 company during their own, illustrious careers.
Significantly, the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is an event on the Australian racing calendar that has proven to be a wonderful guide to a future stud career.
Previous winners include reigning Australian champion sire Encosta de Lago (1996), the highly-commercial Testa Rossa (1999 & 2000), and Darley's young stallion sensation Exceed And Excel (2003).
Three-times triumphant in Group company, Bon Hoffa also won consecutive renewals of the VRC Bobbie Lewis Quality (G3) down the straight-six furlongs of Flemington racecourse.
On the second occasion, Bon Hoffa was timed to run the distance in an impressive 1m09.85s, with the final 600-metre sectional of the race being a phenomenal 33.3 seconds.
The merit of his two Bobbie Lewis wins is put in to context when one considers that he defeated Flemington straight-six specialists Swick and Grand Duels in 2007 and 2008 respectively, with the likes of Let Go Thommo, Any Suggestion, Tesbury Jack, Publishing, Sharkbite, Stickpin, Friday Creek etc, in their wake.
Bon Hoffa is one of 10 international Group 1 winners sired by Belong To Me (USA), a strapping son of Danzig formerly employed on a dual hemisphere basis by Widden Stud.
One of the world's leading sires in 2008, Belong To Me was responsible for the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares Turf (G1) winner Forever Together in the northern hemisphere, as well as the VRC Emirates Stakes (G1) winner All Silent down here in Australia.
Other eminently notable stakes horses for Belong To Me in Australia include AJC The Galaxy (G1) winner Proprietor, VRC Oaks (G1) winner Bulla Borghese, AJC Sapphire Stakes (G2) winner Belong To Many, and MVRC Champagne Stakes (G2) winner Before Too Long.
In fact, the 2-year-old stakes winner and 3-year-old Group winner Before Too Long is a full-sister to Bon Hoffa, these two outstanding sprinters both being produced by the imported mare Asian Reef (GB).
Of 10 foals from Asian Reef (GB) to have raced, six are winners and three of those are black-type winners, her 1997 filly foal by Barathea (Ire) known as Okanui winning on six occasions including the STC Triscay Quality (LR).
Bon Hoffa's extended family is a combination of exceptional race performers and producers in both North America and Europe.
The pedigree boasts individual winners of the Aqueduct Ladies Handicap (G1) and Belmont Matron Stakes (G1), two of the most coveted distaff events on the US racing circuit, as well as a son of Nijinsky successful at Group 1 level in Italy.
With a pedigree heavily influenced by two strains of the Northern Dancer sireline through Danzig and Lyphard, as well as the acclaimed UK sprinting source Habitat, Bon Hoffa will suit a vast range of domestic broodmares.
Bon Hoffa was originally purchased by leading Australian syndicator Ken King.
In summing up his memorable association with the horse, King said: "Bon Hoffa was an exceptionally athletic type as a yearling who developed in to a sound, powerhouse sprinter that raced right up to his sixth year without any injury setbacks.
“His barnstorming finishes became his trademark, making him one of the most exciting and loved racehorses in Victoria."
For further information on Bon Hoffa's future stud career at Riverdene Stud, please contact Dr Kevin Pendergast on (02) 6922 1559.
