A forced change of plan with a daughter of Dubawi has produced another success story for Sydney breeder Warwick Doughty.
He initially sent his mare Pouter to Cambridge Stud to be mated with Roaring Lion, only for the multiple Group One-winning son of Kitten’s Joy to tragically succumb to colic.
Doughty then decided on Contributor as a suitable replacement and Saturday’s Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) winner Kiwi Skyhawk is the profitable outcome.
“It’s great for the mare, she’s a funny mare and has only got one ovary and I’m very pleased for Stephen Marsh and his owners,” he said.
Kiwi Skyhawk was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $240,000 by the Cambridge trainer and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock.
He is the third black-type winner for Poulter, who earlier produced the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m) winner Rock Dove and Midland, winner of the Listed Inglis Guineas (1400m) who was also successful in Hong Kong as King Land.
Poulter was secured for $57,000 on Doughty’s behalf by Murrulla Stud at an Inglis Sydney Weanling and Broodmare Sale.
“She’s a mare we bought from Godolphin and I later booked her into Roaring Lion, I thought he was so good and I sent her over to Henry (Plumptre) who I’ve known for years,” he said.
“Sadly, Roaring Lion died so I sent her to Contributor, who I had always had a big opinion of so that’s how this one turned up.”
From the family of top-flight North American winner Dreams Galore, Pouter is the only mare Doughty has based in New Zealand.
“She’s had two Hello Youmzain fillies and the first one sold quite cheaply ($50,000) and the current one on the ground, I’m told, is extremely good and I may keep her,” he said.
“She went to Chaldean last year and missed, so she’ll go back and hopefully she’ll hold.”
Doughty, whose son Stu is head of bloodstock insurer Howden Equine, has cut back his broodmare interests in recent years.
“I’m only a small-time breeder and enjoy that side of it and this one (Pouter) has done very well,” he said.
“I’ve only got three mares left, with two at Twin Hills with Ollie Tait. I’ve got two horses in training in Tasmania, a couple on the Gold Coast and I have just given a filly to Bjorn Baker.”
Doughty’s major claim to fame is as the breeder of the Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) winner and sire Catbird and he also bred Malibu Magic, successful in an edition of the Listed Magic Millions 2YO Fillies’ Stakes (1200m).
Now retired, he previously had multiple business interests including the Sydney amusement operation Luna Park.
“I had that for 25 years and sold out three years ago. I’ve had a great life and had a wonderful time, and horses have always been a lovely hobby,” Doughty said.
“My father and grandfather weren’t into breeding, but my mother said they’d bet on two flies crawling up a wall, so I’ve always loved racing.
“I don’t go that often and I’m not a big punter, but in saying that breeding horses is always a punt.”
