Rathmor Stud’s Noble Tune Stallion Day

Rathmor Stud held their third stallion day for their magnificent stallion Noble Tune, on Sunday in Nottingham Road.

Noble Tune is the only son of the grey outstanding sire and broodmare sire in the USA, Unbridled’s Song, to stand in Africa – and his half-brother Honor Code catapulted their immaculate dam line further into the limelight when he secured two Gr1’s in goosebump fashion and finished a courageous third to American Pharoah in the Gr1 Breeders Cup Classic.

Over 180 guests attended the day from all over the country, whilst Mario Ferreira made a grand entry from Pretoria with his family in a helicopter and flew home in the afternoon.  Noble Tune has let down into a mouth watering individual, quite reminiscent of his broodmare sire Storm Cat and ‘wowed’ the audience as he danced about the parade ring, enjoying the attention and giving an impressive display of his athleticism and balance.

Noble Tune was beautifully turned out with a glistening dark polished coat and snow white socks – his hindquarters are the replica of his 17hh plus grey sire Unbridled’s Song, whilst having a big honest eye and fine facial features.

He covers the ground effortlessly with his big cat like walk and swinging hindquarters – certainly a stallion that grabs your attention and ticks every box for what a breeder looks for in a potential sire each breeding season.

The host for the day – Gold Circle’s Graeme Hawkins – introduced the young stallion, saying its not to often that you get to see a horse that ran in the exclusive Gr1 Breeders Cup Juvenile (on turf), and to place second is in itself an exceptional achievement. Noble Tune also won the Gr2 American Turf Stakes in addition to winning the Gr3 Pilgrim Stakes amongst his four career wins.

The first foal for his dam and Stakes winner Serena’s Cat – her progeny have been in demand since the arrival of Noble Tune and Honor Code, and Lynton Ryan explained at lunch to the audience that “the cream” of the world’s Thoroughbred breeding establishments had all rallied to secure progeny from the daughter of Storm Cat and a grand-daughter of the great Serena’s Song – including Lane’s End and Coolmore, to which Lynton added “Rathmor Stud is in good company!”

In 2014 their Tapit half-sister named Serena’s Harmony set a world record when she was knocked down at the Keeneland weanling sale for $3million. A year later, her War Front half brother sold for $2,6million.

Their Bernardini half-sister named Lady Serena won her maiden by seven lengths and she has won twice since. Morse Code is the next to come through, and the son of Tapit finishing second on debut.

The pedigree cross has been remarkably successful, with incredible success stories such as the great American Pharoah, Close Hatches, Bodemeister, Forever Unbridled, Will Take Charge, Royal Delta, Rizeena, Carpe Diem, Puissance De Lune and Shared Belief all proving the depth of the nick.

Noble Tune’s dam line includes Sophisticat, another Gr1 Coronation Stakes winner, as well as the magnificent grey Group winner Puissance De Lune who has retired to stud in Australia.

It is therefore no surprise that last season saw Noble Tune’s book full with 103 mares, 22 of those travelling from the Cape with support from Klawervlei, Mauritzfontein, Gary Player Stud, Lammerskraal and Ascot Stud amongst them all sending mares.

With two months to go until the breeding season opens on 1 September, his book is currently sitting at 80 mares for 2016, to be capped at 100. Noble Tune’s second crop are due in 2016 and his first crop which are almost yearlings, have impressed from birth with looks, size, substance and confirmation.

Honor Code’s service fee at Lane’s End has been set at $40 000 for his first season, whilst Noble Tune stands for R25 000 (R5000 nomination and R20 000 live foal). Congratulations to Richard (Roo) Bechard who won a free service to Noble Tune on the day from a lucky draw.

A lovely clear winters day in the Midlands saw the guests wrapped in their Noble Tune scarves, thoroughly enjoying the festivities after viewing the handsome stallion, along with great live music and a seafood paella that had to be seen to be believed – a big thank you and congratulations to the team at Rathmor Stud for hosting a most successful and enjoyable day.

KZN is very fortunate to be standing a number of exciting young stallions at the moment, and the likes of the calibre and standard of Noble Tune make breeding in KZN a very exciting one indeed!

We look forward to Bush Hill Stud’s Stallion Day taking place on 29 July, where they will be introducing the Gr2 winning son of Galileo, Flying The Flag, to breeders in Mooi River. Flying The Flag’s trainer Mike De Kock will be attending the day and will share his thoughts to the breeders present on the chestnut stallion prospect that he holds in high regard.

A full photo gallery of the day is available on our facebook page at the following link.