French stallion Sam Bourbon a great bet

Prominent New Zealand harness racing breeder Grant Beckett is a big fan of French stallion Sam Bourbon and jumped at the chance to once again breed to the popular French stallion when his semen was reintroduced to New Zealand by Haras des Trotteurs this season.

“I was firstly attracted by his looks, he is a stunning horse,” says Beckett, who breeds both rams and standardbreds at his farm in Cheviot.

Becket breeds for the sales from six or seven predominantly trotting mares each year and has produced the likes of Group I winner Quite A Moment and the good winners Duke Of The Moment, Phoebe Revival, Hot Chocolate Tart, KD Hall, KD Muscles, Phoebe Gladiator, Phoebe Sunset and Twice As Much – a sub 2 minute son of Sam Bourbon.

Originally named KD Bourbon, the colt was bought at the 2013 Premier yearling sales in Christchurch by legendary French breeder Jean Pierre Dubois and Australian trainer Anton Golino for $25,000.

“Seeing the ‘Godfather of Trotting Trainers’, J P Dubois as a part owner of a horse I bred gives me a great thrill,” admits Beckett. “Just a shame we didn't have anyone bidding against him on sale day.  They promptly changed his name to Twice As Much, obviously what they thought they were going to have to pay.”

Precocious, like his sire, Twice As Much won the Listed NSW 2YO Breeders Challenge and is currently spelling at Anton Golino's new premises at Ballarat before embarking on his 4YO campaign.

Beckett also has a full sister to the colt out of his good mare Kazzle Dazzle called KD Spirit who he says has her dad’s good looks and has just had a growth spurt. Both Twice As Much and KD Spirit have wonderful temperaments says Beckett.

“I love the fact Sam Bourbon is by super sire Goetmals Wood out of a broodmare gem Etta Extra, amazingly she has two Elitloppet winners Dimitria and dual winner Roquepine very close up in her pedigree, this with the addition of Stars Pride and Speedy Crown.

“Goetmals Wood also has Caprior in his pedigree, supposedly he had a heart like Phar Lap. I also was sent a DVD of him racing which really got me hooked on him, in a couple of races he had to work two and three times and still won impressively.”

Sam Bourbon’s price was and still is attractive, says Beckett. “Originally $2500 when he stood in France for 14,000 euros. Even at his new price ($3000 + GST) he is terrific value considering he is now a top line proven sire in France. “

A classical performer on the racetrack himself, Sam Bourbon displayed early speed and  was second in both the  Criterium des Jeunes (Group I) and the Prix Championnat Européen des 3 ans (European 3YO Championship) ( Group I) and third in the intergenerational Prix de l'Etoile ( Group I). He also won the Group II Prix Jules Thibault.

A tall, elegant, athletic horse, Sam Bourbon has passed his early speed and athleticsm to his progeny such as outstanding daughter Combattante, who was the first filly home when third in the recent blue riband Criterium des 3 Ans after earlier winning the Group II Prix Reina du Corta, in which another Sam Bourbon filly, Cylee Nevele, was third.

Sam Bourbon has been one of the top five leading sires of 2YO trotters in each of his three crops and was fifth in the just completed 2YO season earnings.

Harnesslink Media