Stallion Station, one of Australasia’s leading standardbred studs, and Kentuckiana Farms, the North American breeding conglomerate, have jointly announced that
the 2007 Breeders Crown champion and Governor’s Cup winner Santanna Blue Chip (p,2,1:51.4) will stand the 2009 season at Stallion Station’s New Zealand base at Christchurch.
With a lifetime bankroll of $1,633,643 including $927,095 as a juvenile, Santanna Blue Chip retired as the richest son of siring sensation Art Major, both in two-year-old and career earnings.
During his two-year-old campaign, Santanna Blue Chip finished in the money in all 11 of his starts (11-5-4-2) on his way to becoming the richest freshman pacer with two-year-old earnings of $927,095, some $150,000 ahead of the great Somebeachsomewhere.
Santanna Blue Chip’s brilliant freshman season was highlighted by wins in the $731,700 Governor’s Cup and $650,000 Breeders Crown, defeating Lonestar Legend, Sand Shooter and the ill-fated Roberts Rage along the way. He was also stakes-placed in the Metro, Champlain, and Nassagaweya, finishing either second or third in all three to Somebeachsomewhere.
As a three-year-old, Santanna Blue Chip earned $706,548 in his 16 starts, finishing in the money in all but four starts – bringing his career totals to 27-7-8-7 and $1,633,643. During that season, Santanna Blue Chip’s credits included winning the Simcoe and Art Rooney elimination and stakes-placed finishes to Somebeachsomewhere in the Burlington, North America Cup elimination, Confederation Cup and Messenger. He also stakes-placed in the final of the Rooney and Little Brown Jug.
Santanna Blue Chip possesses outstanding conformation and a can’t miss early speed pedigree, being the richest son of Art Major and from the two-year-old Debutante and New Jersey Sire Stakes winner Mmissus Hanover 2, 1:53.8 (by Matts Scooter).
Santanna Blue Chip was a striking $75,000 yearling and his full brother Jody J Blue Chip sold at the 2008 Lexington Selected Sale Company annual yearling sale for $100,000.
A 2005 foal, Santanna Blue Chip is standing his first season at Kentuckiana Farms, Ontario.
Stallion Station has just completed their best season ever and their flagship stallion Mach Three, the sire of the World Record holder Somebeachsomewhere and ‘Down Under’ champion Auckland Reactor, is already fully booked for the 2009 season.
Similarly, stud mate Courage Under Fire, winner of a record six Derby classics and one of Australia’s hottest young sires, has attracted a full book again in NZ and is close to being full in Australia.
For further information, contact Les Joslin at Stallion Station on (03) 9746 1322.
(With files from Kentuckiana Farms)