The Myth of the November Mating – Revisited

The Later-Born Foals Club includes 7 of the last 20 Golden Slipper winners, among them Champion 2YO Estijaab, born at Arrowfield on 10 October 2015. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)

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.

Showtime is a dual Group 2 winner at 1400m & 1600m

Group 1-placed in the All Aged S. & the Futurity S.

By four-time Champion Sire & emerging sire of sires Snitzel

Full brother to G1 Sweet Idea & grandson of G1 Electronic

Filly by Showtime ex Moon Candy (by Canny Lad)

Colt by Showtime ex She Loves You (by Husson)

Filly by Showtime ex Phaedra (by Hussonet)

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider

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.

Latest news

The Autumn Sun shines brightly The Autumn Sun shines brightly

In the wake of The Autumn Sun's new Group winner Vibrant Sun & new stakes performer The Autumn Belle, it’s timely to review his early-stage stud career...

READ MORE

Achieve it Achieve it

Buying at a leading sale from an out-performing vendor like Arrowfield makes success more achievable...

READ MORE

Sun shines at The Valley Sun shines at The Valley

The Autumn Sun notches up Stakeswinner No. 4 when his 3YO daughter Vibrant Sun scores a determined victory in the Alexandra S. G3 at The Valley...

READ MORE