Ghibellines’ first crop of foals has its first winner

EL GLADIADOR became the first of White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines’ progeny to become a winner when he crossed the line at Wingatui yesterday.

The John and Karen Parsons’ trained gelding justified his favouritism to win in 2yrold company over 820m.

Karen Parsons said she has been highly impressed with the stock of Ghibellines she has had in her stable.

‘‘We have got a big rap on the Ghibellines.

‘‘They are amazing horses with amazing temperaments and they are just made to be racehorses.’’

Parsons said rider Chris Johnson had said El Gladiador was a highly tractable racehorse.

‘‘Chris said he has got the ability to go and stop when he wants to, he is not just a speed horse.

‘‘We just think the Ghibellines are super horses.

‘‘We have got another one by him at home and he is a cracking horse, too.’’

El Gladiador showed tenacity to hold off the late finish of placegetters Our Rosette and Emma’s Chance after racing outside the leader, Shelby Devine.

The galloper is from Ghibellines’ first crop of 66 foals.

Parsons bred the galloper from her Haafiz mare, Querella.

El Gladiador’s victory came just a few kilometres away from the stallion’s North Taieri paddock.

The win gave Ghibellines the start to his siring career stallion owners dream of, White Robe Lodge studmaster Wayne Stewart said.

‘‘It is a massive day for the stud — that is what you dream about, having a stallion kick off like that.’’

Ghibellines has had a successful spring at stud, serving what Stewart described as the sire’s best book of mares.

‘‘He covered more numbers than last year, but qualitywise he has served his best book by far this year.’’

Stewart said Ears Carol, the dam of recently retired star Who Shot Thebarman, was in foal to Ghibellines.

The sire’s rising popularity could be due to his strong success at last year’s Karaka yearling sales.

El Gladiador’s win is sure to make the stallion even more attractive to breeders.

White Robe Lodge has six Ghibellines colts entered at this season’s Karaka yearling sales.

PHOTO: WILD RANGE PHOTOGRAPHY Victory in the arena . . . El Gladiador holds off the finishes of Our Rosette (red) and Emma’s Chance to become the first winner for his sire Ghibellines.