Positive Outlook: Rathmor Looks To Future

Last Friday’s CTS Mare, Weanlings and Fillies for Stud Sale reflected a depressed South African bloodstock market, though Rathmor Stud was active with three big purchases, including their R2,4-million acquisition of a mare by Henrythenavigator.

Mike McHardy of Rathmor Stud has a refreshing approach. Like a wily stock broker, he sees the weak market as an opportunity to invest big, and he’s basing his beliefs on high hopes for South Africa and faith in the bloodstock and racing industries.

McHardy told Turf Talk: “It may seem to some that we overpaid for Almosthaditall, but she’s in foal to Dynasty, her foal will be worth at least R1-million. You know, if everyone’s going to sit back and do nothing, nothing will happen. We may as well all pack up and go. But we won’t. I think we will see a revival of the KZN industry in particular, we all need to be positive.”

McHardy said that Rathmnor had been spending hard for the last three years, acquiring the beautifully-bred stallion Noble Tune and 30 high quality mares for stud.

“Not since perhaps Northern Guest’s glory years at Summerhill have we seen such an interest in a KZN based stallion,” he said. “We’re getting over 20 mares from breeders around the country including Lammerskraal and we’re sending ten of our own away to other stallions.

“We’re hopeful, and we’re excited about the future. When the export market opens up, we’ll be able to sell to places like China and we won’t be able to produce enough horses to satisfy the demand!”

-Charl Pretorius, Turf Talk

Rathmor Stud’s KZN Yearling Sales draft:

(Bold denotes registered as KZN-breds and qualify for KZN Breeders Race Day)