The Myth of the November Mating – Revisited

About this time last year we considered some of the myths and facts about later-born foals to present the case for mating mares at the end of the breeding season.

It proved to be one of our most popular stories:
The Myth of the November Mating

It feels a little miraculous in this extraordinary year, but thankfully, here we are in November again! And no doubt there are a few breeders wondering whether to persevere with mating mares that haven’t already conceived this Spring. That’s a good reason to re-visit and update our 2019 story. 

First-up, we can add several names to the list of Group 1 winners born on or after 1 October: 

NETTOYER – born 23 November
PROBABEEL  – 6 November
DREAMFORCE – 2 November
TYZONE – 2 November
BELLA VELLA – 28 October
BEHEMOTH – 21 October
TREKKING  – 20 October
ARCADIA QUEEN – 19 October
VERRY ELLEEGANT – 12 October
PIPPIE – 13 October

Plus these 3YO Group winners:
JOHNNY GET ANGRY – 9 November
TOFFEE TONGUE – 4 November
ALBARADO  – 25 October
RUBISAKI – 9 October
SISSTAR – 9 October

And these Group-winning 2YOs:
BARBARIC  – 21 October
HANSEATIC – 15 October
MINHAAJ – 7 October
FARNAN – 6 October
LETZBEGLAM  – 2 October

In fact, Farnan is the 7th October-born Golden Slipper G1 winner in the past 20 years.

When we published last year’s story, we had already put our money where our mouth is. Ninety-seven (38%) of the 255 foals born at Arrowfield last year arrived on or after 1 October. That’s slightly higher than the 35.5% from our 2015-18 foal crops. 

Later-born foals fared well at the major 2020 yearling sales too.  Ten of the 26 Inglis Easter yearlings sold for $600,000 or more had birth-dates ranging from 6 October to 18 November.

Even at January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, where early-borns can have a real advantage, two of the 10 $1 million+ yearlings were born on 16 October and 2 November. 

James Harron’s buying activities in 2020 backed up his comment last year that, “Birth-date is a factor we consider but we place much more weight on our assessment of physique and temperament. If we love the horse on those scores, a later birth-date won’t put us off.”

His yearling purchases this year included a $380,000 Dundeel colt born on 3 November, and Astrologer, a $300,000 colt born on 7 October who finished third at his debut in the Breeders’ Plate G3 four days before his actual 2YO birthday.

So the case for later-born foals remains strong but first, your mare has to conceive. A very fertile stallion loads the dice in your favour and yes, you’ve guessed it, we do have a suggestion to make!

Snitzel’s young Group-winning son Showtime has an 89% strike rate so far this season – that is, almost nine out of every 10 mares he’s served are either confirmed in foal or have returned an early- or mid-scan positive test.

As you can see from these photos taken this week, he’s thriving on his work. Showtime’s movie-star looks are matched by a kind temperament, a high-class race record and a quality pedigree. He’s put a distinctive stamp on his first foals too. 

To book your mare’s November ticket to Showtime, just call Sally Gordon on 0421 080 021.