“He’s a big part of our industry and a real gentleman as well.”
Blandford Lodge’s 13-strong draft for the upcoming sales features a line-up of 10 fillies.
“Maybe there’s another Lucia Valentina among them,” Bax said. “Looking down the list, it’s just a wonderful line of fillies.
“I wouldn’t mind a few more colts, but that’s just the way it went when this draft was foaled. On the positive side our best results have come with fillies.
“There must be something in the water, the farm has really good filly families – it seems to be in the genes.”
There is ample sire power behind this year’s fillies with Dissident, Deep Field, Foxwedge, Tavistock, Ocean Park, Medaglio d’Oro, Sacred Falls, Charm Spirit and Reliable Man represented.
Lot 176, a Tavistock colt from the Zabeel mare Dubai Express, is expected to be the highlight of the male offerings from the farm.
“He should go really well,” Bax said. “But as I’ve been told at our parades, if anyone wants a quality filly they will be getting around to Blandford. We should have a good sale.”
The future is in good hands at Blandford. Experienced farm manager Jamie Kennedy oversees a dedicated full-time team of three staff which increases to six during the summer.
“Jamie runs the farm and does a fantastic job,” Bax said. “Our results over the last few years show that.
“He came to us from Yarraman Park and had wide experience on a variety of other studs as well.
“Blandford Lodge will continue to get stronger. We have around 50 mares and we don’t want to get any bigger, but we want to increase the quality and continue to breed to top-end stallions.”
The partnership will seek to raise the bar with the regular purchase of high quality bloodstock to ensure an exciting future for the farm.
