A coup for Australian breeders

TIPPERARY Equine studmaster and principle Luke Primmer has experienced a roller coaster of emotions over the last 48 hours.

Firstly, the tingles of excitement and anticipation.

This season Primmer will stand former USTA two year old of the year and Meadowlands Pace winner Hes Watching at his Young, New South Wales, stud.

In a coup for Australian breeders, Hes Watching will stand his debut season at a heavily reduced service fee of just $2500.

Hes Watching, who retired the equal fastest horse in history, has two crops of racing age and since his announcement as Tipperary’s flagship stallion, his results have been nothing short of mind blowing.

And this is where Primmer’s roller coaster roll started.

Hes Watching showed he has what it takes to be elite when his star son Tattoo Artist took the mantle as Canada's best with a 1.48.2 seasons record at Mowhawk in a $107,000 divison of the sires stakes.

He is on his way to the $1m North America Cup eliminations on Aug 22 before the rich final a week later.

Then today at Mowhawk, Saratoga Blue Chip, a 2yo from Hes Watching's 2nd crop made a winning 1.53.3 debut in a heat of the OSS.

The same race Tattoo Artist made a winning debut 12 months earlier. 

“It is amazing to watch the progeny of Hes Watching racing in Australia, New Zealand and also in North America,” Primmer said.

“His first crop did a good job last season as two year olds but they have really came of age this time around.”

“Tattoo Artist is a beast. He has won his last three and he just keeps getting better.”

“He went 1.50 winning three starts back, 1.49.3 two back and then on Sunday he went 1.48.2… he is the fastest horse in Canada and he is yet to be challenged.”

“Really does make the hair stand up on the back of my neck knowing that Hes Watching is on his way here!”

Hes Watching goes into quarantine on Thursday for two weeks before making Tipperary Equine his home for the southern hemisphere breeding season.

“The support he has received from breeders all over the country has been amazing with over 100 confirmed bookings,” Primmer said.

“And it’s not hard to see why.”

“He has the best 3yo in Canada, he is one of the leading sires of three year olds in both Australia and New Zealand and his two year olds are off and running and racking up the wins worldwide.”

“New South Wales has been crying out for a stallion of the calibre of this guy.”

“He was a champion racehorse and is now proving himself as sire of elite level performers.”

“Given his unique breeding it has been a real eye opener to see the pedigrees of his best performers.”

“He is a near perfect match for most Australian mares and this shows in how well booked he has been without even getting into quarantine!” Primmer said.

While the impending arrival is filling Primmer with excitement, it is with a heavy heart.

Tipperary Equine made its debut last season with Alta Christiano as the flagship stallion.

Alta Christiano (Monte) was exceptionally well received by breeders and covered 160 mares but tragedy struck in March when he suffered a colic attack and was unable to be saved.

“There is a lot of pain and sorrow,  but also amazing pride in watching the performances of Alta Christiano's progeny,” Primmer said.

“Yesterday was one of those days.”

“Ronaldo started the day with a solid front running display digging deep for a 1.53.5 Menangle win.”

“Monte then reminded everyone why he was on his way to being on of the best stallions in the country when Alta Engen and Alta Blues went to war at Bunbury. What a race.”

“On not only a personal level, but also as a harness racing fan, Monte's loss was tragic.”

Thankfully for the industry, he has one more crop of foals on their way to remind us of his greatness for years to come.

 Hes Watching has some giant shoes to fill, but his record to date is proof he may just be one capable of filling them.