Wild punt pays dividends for breeder

THE CALLING: The first foal from freshman sire Dial A Prayer looks more like dad's side of the family than mum Monique's.PHOTO/IAIN HYNDMAN 220915WCIHFOAL

A punt taken by Wanganui breeder Wayne Keenan last year paid a handsome dividend at the weekend with the arrival of the first foal from his freshman stallion Dial A Prayer.

Keenan's prayers were answered when unraced Montjeu mare Monique foaled a colt at Grangewilliam Stud in Waitotara.

The Wanganui concrete contractor has invested heavily over the years, breeding from a growing band of mares and reaped the rewards with sales of progeny to Asian and Australian interests.

However, an unraced Pins colt out of the dual Group Three winner O'Ceirins Angel, kept Keenan sleepless at nights wondering what might have been had he made it to the racetrack. Unfortunately injury prevented the horse racing and that prompted Keenan to take a wild punt and stand him at stud.

Subsequently named Dial A Prayer covered 30 mares in his first season standing at Grangewilliam, including Monique.

"I know it is still very early days yet, but it is every breeder's dream to have a colt foal, especially if you trade like I do."

Grangewilliam studmaster Mark Corcoran said the colt was correct in every way and looked as he had thrown back to the sire dam's side.

Meanwhile, Grangewilliam Stud stallion Zed has made a strong start to the season to lead the stallion premierships in all three divisions.

He is tops on the score of individual winners (15), races won (18) and stake earnings ($205,355) with his leading performer Jimmy Mac ($34,375).