Dynaformer conquerors the world

Inter-continental recognition is usually the domain of the dual-hemisphere covering sire afforded the opportunity to serve a vast number of mares both sides of the equator.

However, the Roberto-line stallion Dynaformer, permanently based at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky, is laying claims to be being one of the most internationally successful progenitors currently in service despite serving only one select book in the US each year.

A veteran of the thoroughbred breeding scene of North America, Dynaformer commenced stud duties as long ago as 1990 after winning seven of 30 lifetime starts at two- through to four-years of age.

A dual US Grade 2 winner on dirt also placed at the same level in competition on turf, Dynaformer built up a solid enough reputation in the States during the following dozen or so years, but only really came in to global prominence through the ill-fated 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

Of course, Barbaro was a brilliant winner of his first six outings, including the ‘Run For The Roses’, but will unfortunately always be remembered for the graphic scenes which accompanied his assault on the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

Barbaro shattered his off hind leg soon in to the contest before enduring all forms of human intervention in an attempt to save the valuable colt for stud duties.

On January 29, 2007, after half a dozen or so operations and a series of related ailments that generated unprecedented worldwide interest in a thoroughbred horse, the cause was lost when Barbaro was put out of his misery.

By some coincidence, Barbaro’s sire Dynaformer has subsequently enjoyed his finest series of results virtually ever since.

Later in the same year, the British-based Lucarno developed in to one of the leading English Classic 3-year-olds of the 2007 season by winning the Group 1 Doncaster St Leger over an extended one mile and six furlongs.

Then, last season saw Dynaformer’s precocious daughter Rainbow View emerge as the leading European 2YO Filly of 2008 with an unbeaten sequence of four victories, which included three prestigious Pattern Races up to Group 1 standard.

This year has again witnessed the breed land another Group 1 European Classic in the space of 24 months.

On last weekend’s Hamburg program staged in Germany, Weiner Walzer posted a one and a quarter length victory in the Group 1 Deutsches Derby in yet another major triumph for a stallion very much in the twilight of his stud career.

A 1985 born foal, Dynaformer is now in his mid-twenties, yet was again made available to breeders during the 2009 northern hemisphere breeding season, standing at a fee of $US150,000 (Live Foal).

With the aged son of Roberto also being responsible for last weekend’s CCA Oaks (G1) winner Gozzip Girl at Hollywood Park, it would very much seem that time has been good to Dynaformer.

NB. Dynaformer is a close relation to Wattle Brae Stud resident stallion WAR TRACE (USA), being bred on the same lines as his dam, Memories of Silver.

First published in THE INFORMANT (10/07/2009)