Stallion Spotlight offers stud farm representatives a chance to address breeders and answer questions as they plan their future matings.
In this edition, Rockridge Stud's Erin Robinson discusses Tourist, a Breeders' Cup Mile-winning son of Tiznow who moves to New York for the upcoming 2023 breeding season.
Tourist
Dk. b. or br. h., 2011, Tiznow x Unbridled Melody, by Unbridled's Song
Race Record: 18-6-3-4; $2,170,340
Advertised Fee: $3,500
Question: What makes Tourist an attractive stallion for potential breeders?
Erin Robinson, Rockridge Stud: Anytime you can bring a proven stallion into a new market, I think there's an excitement for opportunity that follows him.
I've got a mare that's lacking in a physical aspect, what can Tourist best contribute to that equation?
Robinson: He is very well balanced and has good bone, and on top, he is a very pretty, flashy horse.
What would a breeder looking to capture some of that Tiznow magic find familiar in Tourist?
Robinson: His speed that has proven that his offspring gets better with age.
Tourist is a half-sibling to three other black type winners. How important is it for a stallion to have significant black type on his page, especially under that first dam?
Robinson: I think that's becoming more and more important for breeders to know that there is precedent for success in the family.
Why was Tourist a target to bring to Rockridge Stud? What makes him a good fit for the New York program?
Robinson: Tourist is getting runners, but not enough of the Saturday horses to keep the attention of breeders in Kentucky – a familiar scenario for a lot of stallions in the state. He's worth keeping around, but would quickly fall off the radar completely with a lack of interest where he was. New York breeders, especially our breed-to-race clients, should love his versatility: winners at all distances, all surfaces, and all ages. We were delighted that he had a 2-year-old graded stakes-placed runner (Mo Tourist in the G3 Grey Stakes) and a new 4-year-old graded stakes winner (G3 Valedictory Stakes winner Wentru) in nearly the same breath right after we announced him coming to New York.
What are some of the crosses that you have found work best with Tourist, or which ones do you expect will do well with him?
Robinson: The great thing about Tiznow is that you can breed almost anything to that sire line and give it a shot. The physical, I think, will be most important when deciding whether to breed to Tourist – he has gotten winners out of a number of different sire lines: A.P. Indy (doubling Seattle Slew from Tiznow's dam), Uncle Mo, Deputy Minister, Mr. Prospector, Blushing Groom, etc. I haven't seen a strong argument for a “can't miss” cross yet, so I think you have to go with the physical first.
If you could point at one race to explain to breeders what Tourist is all about, what would that be?
He is a Breeders' Cup Mile record-holder. I think that's all you need to know.
What's something about Tourist that you think goes overlooked?
Robinson: He is one of the last chances to continue that Godolphin Arabian line from our livelihood's earliest ancestors. I think we have to give him every chance.
What else should readers know about Tourist before picking up the phone?
Robinson: He could be our next important staple stallion in New York – and a good way to prove your mare.
The post Stallion Spotlight Presented By New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.: Tourist Moves In At Rockridge Stud appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
