Bombora Downs Adds Exciting Stallion Trio

Victoria's Mornington Peninsula is renowned as prime thoroughbred country. One of its enduring stud farms is the Christoph Bruchert-helmed Bombora Downs which, this season, has added three new stallions to its roster. Already standing a quality trio in Dandino (Dansili), blue-blood De Gaulle (Exceed and Excel) and Frankel My Dear (Frankel), in 2023 Bombora added exceptionally well related Australian Group 1 winner Cape of Good Hope (Galileo) to its growing line-up. Although some stud farms are anecdotally bunkering down despite continuing records sales, Bombora has added a further three young stallions to take their complement to seven in 2024. The worthy newcomers bring a mix of noteworthy form and pedigrees that should appeal to breeders. Born on Tuesday 4th November 2014 when Protectionist wins the 2014 Melbourne Cup by 4-lengths from Red Cadeaux (GB) and Who Shot Thebarman (NZ), in the Year of the Horse, Cliff's Edge is a multiple Group winning, multiple Group placed son of the sometimes-underrated multiple Group 1-winning sprinter miler Canford Cliffs. Earning over a million on the track, 2YO winner Cliff's Edge claimed stakes victories as a 3YO and 4YO, and was stakes-placed at five across distances ranging from 1200m to 2400m. Standing at $3,300, the 10-time Black-Type performed Cliff's Edge (see below) has a couple of promising 2YOs in work which bodes well for his future. There are few more competitive racing arenas than Hong Kong, and although he never earned Black Type, Ka Ying Master (Snitzel) was an imposing presence at Sha Tin and Happy Valley. Out of a Sadler's Wells mare, he was an out and out sprinter, earning over HK$9 million in a career that netted the $575,000 Karaka purchase seven wins and eight placings (13 of them Top 2) across 5 seasons. The front-running sprinter boasts three stakes-winning siblings and stands for $5,500. Like Cliff's Edge, fellow Bombora newcomer Soul Patch (Shamus Award) was born on a major Victorian raceday – Makybe Diva Stakes Day – and the Tasmanian-bred foal lived up to the associated expectation. Placed in both the Gr1 Australian Guineas and Gr1 VRC Derby, the 2YO Flemington sprint winner matured into a versatile 3YO who was highly capable across sprint and middle distances. Sadly, injury cruelled his massive potential, and he retired with 3 wins and 3 placings from just 8 starts for $605,000 in earnings. Soul Patch's first crop include four 2YOs seen at jump outs, with some exciting prospects lining up for the spring. His fee is $6,600.