For a born-and-bred American sire, Washington VC is as much a Southlander as you could find.
And there is no way he is going to leave, according to Bryleigh Stud proprietor Keith Norman. Washington VC just signed off his 18th stud season at the stud in Brydone in Southland.
If Australian studs had got their way, the stallion would have finished there after 17 seasons.
They were on the phone before the breeding season started, trying to get their hands on the father of champion pacer I’m Themightyquinn, but did not stand a chance, Norman, who operates the stud with wife Tracey, said.
The horse has simply been too good to the Normans and the Washington VC Syndicate which owns the sire for him to ever leave.
"He has looked after us. Australia wanted to buy him at the start of the season but we said no," Keith Norman said.
"He wouldn’t like a change of surroundings this late in his life. We wouldn’t let him go, no matter what."
Because he is in good condition the veteran sire is likely to stand for a 19th season.
A minor back complaint has been the horse’s only recent health concern.
"He had a wee bit of a sore back that ruined things for the end of the season but, hopefully, after the off-season he will be all go again for next season."
Washington VC, who served 38 mares this season, will be limited to the number of mares he serves next season.
At Winton on Sunday, the stallion added three more wins to his illustrious siring record, winning with Kagee VC, Zealand Star and the Normans’ own Honour Scroll.
The stud keeps a record of Washington’s VC progeny which shows the horse has left 353 winners worldwide.
The telling stat from those statistics show that those winners are by 108 different broodmare sires, suggesting the sire could cross with almost any mare, Norman said.
Those winners have produced 28 group 1 titles.
"If you had told me 20 years ago that we would have 28 group 1 wins I would have been amazed," Norman said.
At the top of his list of stars is Australasian champion I’m Themightyquinn.
The Normans have acquired his dam, Love Sign, who has had a chequered breeding record, after proving difficult to get in foal.
She recently gave birth to a Washington VC colt and the Normans have a 2yr-old full brother who has just gone back into work.
It is too early to make any bold predictions or suggest he would compile a record that would get anywhere near his champion brother, Keith Norman said.
"He only got run along on Friday for the first time."
"He was only born on February the 5th, so he has only just turned 2 years old, so I left him until after the stud season was over."
"He looks the part, but whether he goes the part, only time will tell."
