Krone has accomplished plenty in her eight years of life, including winning the 2021 Group 1 Coolmore Classic, but her most recent achievement has come off the track in becoming a new mum.
The eight-year-old mare gave birth last week to an I am Invincible colt marking the start of the 2023-24 breeding season and the busiest of periods at Rosemont Stud.
Rosemont Stud’s General Manager – Bloodstock, Ryan McEvoy, said that the young colt had adapted to life extremely well.
“He’s a beauty,” he said.
“She (Krone) is a really high-quality mare who was trained by Tony Gollan and shortly after the foal was born, he got to his feet really quickly. You can see she’s a real natural and is looking after him really well and so it’s everything you want to see especially for a first-time mum.”
The Gnarwarre based stud have had a busy week also welcoming a Shamus Award x Condesaar filly who is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Yankee Rose, and a Shamus Award x Miss Toorak Flyer colt who is a half-brother to Treasurway (winner of the Group 3 Breeders Stakes in April).
“The birthing season creates a real buzz with the staff,” McEvoy said.
“As the mares approach their due date, they are brought in closer to the farm and we employ someone on a full-time basis on night watch, as 98% of horses foal in the middle of the night.
“The staff then check their phones first thing in the morning to see who has given birth and it’s just a really exciting time for all of us.”
Many owners come into their horses’ lives as a two-year-old, however the value of knowing how horses are bred and the process behind it is equally as rewarding.
Some facts about the breeding season in Australia include:
• Stallions begin to be paraded for prospective breeders from the beginning of August.
• The official Australian breeding season begins on 1 September every year.
• From this time, mares can be mated to or ‘covered by’ stallions. In most cases, mares will be transported to stallion farms.
• All covering occurs naturally.
• The average gestation period (time for the foal to be born) for a horse is approximately 340 days (11+ months) hence how the first foals are born in August, however this can be dependant and sometimes can last for 360 days.
Yulong Stud’s Head of Nominations and Sales, Harry King, said the stable was delighted to see new life occurring.
“It’s such an exciting time for us,” he said.
“Ten foals have been born over the past week with many more set to follow. Some days you can have one, some days six and then sometimes there’s three days without any births, but nevertheless it’s a really busy and rewarding time for us.”
Yulong currently has just under 400 mares that will foal within the next 12 months including, record winning Greysful Glamour, Percy Sykes Stakes winner Away Game and Hungry Heart, who has been covered by stallion Written Tycoon.
“The Hungry Heart x Written Tycoon foal and one that means a huge amount to us,” he said.
“This is a culmination of champion sire lines, such as Written Tycoon and Frankel, both sire lines Mr Zhang has a great affinity for. This spring, to have Hungry Heart, our own champion filly by Frankel, to foal down a Written Tycoon, whether it’s a colt or filly, truly means a lot to everyone at Yulong Stud.”
King was quick to praise past owners about the interest shown in their mares and their new offspring.
“It’s a credit to syndicate racing, as there’s always so much interest when mares have their foals- especially when it’s their first one. It’s lovely to receive calls from past owners who are just checking up and seeing how it’s all progressing,” he said.
“We are always really happy to have past owners back to the farm to do meet and greets whenever we can, so the ownership journey is never really over.”
Both farms highlighted the extensive care that the new mums and foals are given; including particularly close attention in the first few days when they are in a smaller yard on their own to ensure bonding and feeding is occurring. Within a few weeks they are then moved to another area where another new mum and foal are to encourage socialising and then when ready moved back with the other horses.
Past, present and prospective owners are all welcome at the upcoming stallion parades taking place across Victoria. Whether you are a long time of first-time owner, the talent on display is sure to impress.
Please click below for further information and to RSVP to any of the parades:
http://www.tbv.com.au/post/2023-victorian-stallion-parades
Written Tycoon x Maui Girl (Lope de Vega) filly – Dam a Group-placed daughter of dual G1 performer Run For Naara. (Image credit Yulong Stud)
Tagaloa x Winning Ways (Declaration Of War) filly – Dam a G1 Queensland Oaks winner. (Image credit Yulong Stud)