STUD RECORD

Commenced stud duties in New Zealand in 2006.

She’s Prestigious does Peard proud

6^th APRIL 2010: The Bruce Wallace trained She’s Prestigious (inside) added another winner for sire Keeninsky when taking out the DJ O’Sullivan Salver maiden 1200m for 2YO’s yesterday at Ellerslie.

She’s Prestigious with Craig Grylls aboard dashed clear at the jump putting two lengths on her opposition and held her lead to the turn fighting doggedly down the straight to hold out race favourite Red General.

Part owner/breeder and Wallace’s stable foreman Allan Peard was justifiably proud of his filly’s winning effort.

“The jump probably won her the race, but she’s so tough and she refused to hand it over to Red General who was at her a long way out,” said a beaming Peard.

She’s Prestigious is one of three Keeninsky’s in work at Wallace’s Takanini stable, and the sire holds a special place in Peard’s riding career with the two combining for Group 1 wins in both the Manawatu Sire’s Produce Stakes and the Telegraph Handicap.

She’s Prestigious gave Keeninsky his second win from just eight raceday starters. Among his first crop to race are the stakes placed Botofogo (deceased), Robert Priscott’s recent impressive Ellerslie winner Customised, and Ralph Manning’s Miss Curiosity who placed three-from-four before finishing a close-up fifth in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeder’s Stakes.

Feedback from trainers spoken-with suggests Keeninsky’s colts and fillies will be better as three-year-olds, with most trainers being especially happy with the attitudes and speed shown by the sire’s progeny.

Keeninsky’s first winner Customised...stylish!

15^th MARCH 2010: The Oaks Stud's freshman sire Keeninsky recorded his first winner when Dick Karreman’s 2YO filly Customised (pictured) scored on debut in the $20,000 Gucci 1100 at Ellerslie for trainers Robert Priscott & Clayton Chipperfield.

Rider Mark Du Plessis was impressed with the filly’s winning effort and on return to scale made mention to Trackside commentator Tommy Hazlett of Customised’s ‘wonderful temperament and turn-of-foot.’

Priscott will now give consideration to running Customised in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, believing the step up to 1400m will suit her ideally.

A brilliant 2YO himself, Keeninsky won four of his five juvenile starts including the 2004 running of the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes before going on to take the Gr.1 Telegraph Handicap at three.

From his seven first crop starters Keeninsky has left the ill-fated Botafogo, a placegetter in the listed Wellesley Stakes, and the Ralph Manning trained Miss Curiosity who was placed at her first three starts, before finishing a close-up 6^th behind Banchee and Sister Havana and co, in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders Stakes.

Keeninsky’s remaining four colts and fillies to race were all first starters, with the Bruce Wallace trained She’s Prestigious looking another likely winner soon for her sire, after running a bold 5^th on debut just 1.8 lengths behind Customised.

Miss Curiosity ...shows Manning plenty and looks a winner next-up for Keeninsky

The Ralph Manning trained Miss Curiosity made a nice debut when running second at Ruakaka on January 5^th. Her second start (Number 4 - pictured), at New Plymouth on January 21^st resulted in another second placing with the filly again making a strong late charge, this time beaten just a nose by Common Goal.

Miss Curiosity looks to be improving very quickly, and Manning will continue on towards the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes in February.

As of January 21 Keeninsky has had four of his progeny to the races with Botafogo stakes placed his other two runners Apache Sky and Fille de Etoile having had just the one start. It is very early days for Keeninsky as a sire, but his progeny show plenty of speed and good attitudes; most importantly the trainers like them!

Apache Sky – Looks a Matamata Breeder’s Stakes filly

An eye catching debut at the Waipa trials in late November, saw Apache Sky easily win her 650m heat by two lengths. The filly made her race debut at Ellerslie, on Boxing Day. Slow to jump, she again showed exciting speed when she joined the leaders three wide in the running before weakening.

Trainer Roger Verry has a high opinion of this filly, and with the hometrack advantage she looks an ideal sort for the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders Stakes in February.

Keeninsky’s First-crop two year olds

October - December 2009: The early word from trainers is encouraging and suggests the Keeninsky colts and fillies are runners!

Forward types, both mentally and physically, we saw from those making their way to the pre-Christmas trials that they look to have inherited their sires turn-of-foot.

Speed and precociousness - the obvious attraction for breeders

Keeninsky’s primary stud appeal has been to owner-breeders looking to add some much sought speed to their family.

Generally, these home bred colts and fillies are a little behind in terms of growth and education when compared to sales yearlings, which have the benefit of a yearling prep and being broken-in soon after the sale.

In the case of Keeninsky’s first-crop juveniles, the majority were broken-in until around June/July. As a consequence, trainers have taken the option of nursing their charges through the spring, with a view towards racing them in the New Year and Autumn.

Keeninsky two year old Botafogo stakes placed at Trentham

Saturday 24^th October 2009: Keeninsky’s talented juvenile Botafogo impressed both his trainer John Bary and jockey Michael Walker, with a game run for third behind Big River and Elle Tresor in Saturday’s listed Wellesley Stakes at Trentham.

Walker who has ridden Botafogo in his two starts, believes the gelding has a ‘very bright future.’

Bary has the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million race firmly in his sights for the talented son of Keeninsky and is keen to qualify him early.

“He’s got real talent! said Bary.

He is very fast, and he’s such a relaxed horse with a fantastic temperament.

Mickey (Walker) said ‘the horse is still green, but he’s learning fast, and expects the step-up next to 1200m will suit.’ We’re both excited about seeing him hit-out on a good surface.”

Bary now plans on looking for a ‘soft win’ next-up for Botafogo, with the hope that the winning stake in addition to his current earnings of $4150 qualifies him for the Karaka feature. With a win next start, he intends for the Keeninsky gelding to spell, before targeting the Karaka Million race fresh-up.

Botafogo was bred by Keith Donnison, from his Oregon mare Oregon Express, and purchased at the 2009 Karaka Festival Draft for $11,000 by Paul Willets on behalf of Hawke’s Bay owner Ivan Grieve.

**November 2009 Update Botafogo euthanised

Sadly, for trainer John Bary and owner Ivan Grieve Botafogo suffered a freak trackwork accident in late November and was euthanized.

Karaka 2009 – Keeninsky’s first-crop yearlings

Keeninsky’s colt’s and filly’s were in demand at this years Karaka sale. In a widely recognised 'depressed market' it was encouraging to see Keeninsky’s Select draft average a healthy $41,000 and his Festival draft average $16,500.

Of particular interest - Keeninsky’s two highest priced yearlings having been bought by Australians – Aquanita Racing purchasing Lot 743 a colt from Proud Run and Mr B Spicer (Melbourne) purchasing Lot 928 a colt from Waverley Express.

The Keeninsky’s colts appeal to the Australian buyers can only be considered a compliment given their own plethora of speed horses available locally. We will watch with interest in the coming season as the Melbourne juveniles make their way towards the rich Group One Blue Diamond Stakes.

Lot 928. Keeninsky – Waverley Express (Masterclass) colt

Purchased by Mr B Spicer (Melbourne) $80,000

Lot 743. Keeninsky – Proud Run (Runyon) colt

Purchased by Aquanita Racing (Melbourne) $50,000

Lot 1508. Keeninsky – Tully (Krasnopolski) colt

Purchased by Chris Wood (Cambridge) $21,000

November 01, 2007: The Keeninsky's Have Arrived...In Style!

The arrival of Keeninsky’s foals has delighted breeders and The Oaks General Manager Rick Williams.

The opinion expressed by both visitors to the stud and breeders whose mares have foaled to Keeninsky is that the stallion is leaving outstanding types.

“Good sized, good bone, correct, natural muscle….very tidy sorts, without exception,” reports Williams.

“We wait in anticipation with any new stallion to see the first foals. Keeninsky is doing all we could have hoped for and maybe more. We are absolutely thrilled.”

'The interest this year from breeders has been terrific. He served 103 mares in his first season and I'm picking he'll go close to topping that this year.'

Visitors are welcome at The Oaks Stud. If you would like to see the stallions paraded or view Keeninsky’s foals please call Rick Williams 021733962 or Karl Mihaljevich 021737905