Phoebe Standardbreds wish to announce that on the back of a remarkable performance from his first small NZ crop, harness racing trotting sire Imperial Count is back in NZ after standing for a couple of seasons in Australia.

From his first small NZ crop of 10 foals he has had 50% qualify to date, remarkably four(40%) of them qualified at 2. Headed by the Alan Clark trained “Iron Horse” Imperial Whiz who started 30 times as a 2yr old, winning twice and finishing his season in Australia with a fifth in the Breeders Crown Final.

Imperial Count finished the season as the leading first season sire, sitting fourth on the overall list behind only Majestic Son, Love You and Muscle Hill. His percentage of qualifiers made him the leading 2yr old sire in this respect, percentage of qualifiers is one of the main measures of a sires success in France.

Grant Beckett from Phoebe Standardbreds says that the exciting thing so far is that Imperial Count looks to have the ability to lift a mare, with only one of his qualifiers to date out of a race winning mare and it was by Wrestle!!. “Who knows what he will be capable of with a better quality mare”. His qualifiers have been out of mares by a variety of sires including Sundon, Gee Whizz, Wrestle and Monarchy.

Being a son of Angus Hall we feel he will cross with most NZ mares and mares by Monarchy, Earl and Brylin Boyz look very attractive on paper.Bringing in the proven Angus Hall/ Balanced Image cross.

As a racehorse the “Laid back” son of Angus Hall was a serious proposition, winning $680k with 17 wins from 2 to 5yrs, many of these in the highly competitive Ontario Sires Stakes program at 2 and 3. One of his best performances was actually a second in an OSS Final to Mr Herbie. “Count” left the outside of the gate to lead in an opening 26.4 first quarter, created all the fractions and although well beaten set up the 1.52 World Record for Mr Herbie. This crop was strong and included Broad Bahn, Chapter Seven, Manofmanymissions and Dejarmbro, all of these competitors have gone on to be successful at stud.

Beckett says “that at 15.2h and with his wonderful temperament and ability to “stamp”his progeny it is no surprise that he is leaving 2yr olds”. The trainers are loving their no nonsense,willing to learn attitudes and another good sign, he says, the guys who have them already are coming back for more.

The other thing to note is that Imperial Count will have a couple of small Australian crops(28, 22 serves) come on stream over the next couple of years. If they make the same impact his first NZ crop has, he has a bright future and any progeny from a mating this season could very well become a commercial proposition!!

Imperial Count is standing for a fee of $2000 plus GST alongside Royal Aspirations. A 20% discount will be given to 2 or more positive tests to either sire or a combination of both!!

Grant Beckett

Phoebe Standardbreds

49 Larcombs Road

Broadfield ChCh

0211601080