05 April 2011
One of New Zealand’s “quiet achievers” among the stallion ranks, Kashani, has been retired from stud duties.
Highview Stud’s managing director Brent Gillovic announced Kashani’s retirement this week, bringing down the curtain on a 15-year stud career.
“He has been a prolific sire of proven gallopers and has left winners day in, day out but he was at the point where it was time to retire him,” Gillovic said.
Kashani began stud duties at Highview in 1995 and earned himself a reputation as one of the best value sires available to breeders at stud in New Zealand.
The fine son of Danzig makes a habit of siring winners every week of the year and as such his progeny can be relied upon for their honesty and consistency whenever they appear on the racetrack.
Kashani's record as a sire spoke volumes for his ability to leave winners on the track.
He is the sire of more than 250 individual winners, including more than 50 individual winners in Australia, and his strike rate of winners to runners is currently at a very respectable 66 per cent.
His progeny earnings total more than $20.5 million. Notably the racing region where his progeny have earned the most is Hong Kong where his off-springs earnings have totalled A$4.8 million.
Kashani has sired 12 individual stakes winners comprising Kainui Belle, Go Thenaki, Focal Point, Validify, Altiero,Cantorist, Kounthekash, Kash Is King, Kim's Coup, Xtherest, Kazz and Better Watch It.
Kainui Belle was one of his best performed progeny. She won twice at Group 2 level in the Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie and the Wellington Guineas at Trentham. She was also runner-up in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton as well as the Group 2 Royal Stakes at Ellerslie and third in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
Focal Point was the other Group 2 winner for Kashani with a victory in the Gasmate Stakes at Te Rapa.
In terms of number of wins the best performer for Kashani to date has been Kounthekash who won eight times including the Listed Mornington Cup in Australia.
“His progeny are renowned for their toughness and ability to put a number of race wins together during their racing careers,” Gillovic said.
Kashani has proven to be a great cross over New Zealand mares from numerous families. He gets a great type with great attitude which particularly appeal to the Asian market and upgrades his mares every time. That is why we called him The Upgrader’,” Gillovic said.
“He has been instrumental in the success of Highview Stud for such a long period and is going to be missed among the stallion ranks,” Gillovic said.
Highview Stud will stand Danroad, Align and Sufficient this year and will announce their service fees soon.
