By Angel B. Contreras, MD.
Originally published October 26, 1997.
The Dominican Republic, the island where Haras Matanaranjo is located, forms part of the Greater Antilles and lies between the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico. In order to understand our pedigrees those interested must first know those stallions that have helped shape the breed of the Dominican thoroughbred racehorse. I will not bore the reader with long lists of winners and races you have never heard of but I shall limit this article to the pedigrees, family notes and important progeny of each of the mentioned stallions.
The thoroughbred breeding history of the Dominican Republic can best be divided into 3 eras.
The first and oldest era encompasses a period that ranges from 1944 (date of the first registered thoroughbred was foaled in the Dominican Republic) until 1965. During this period most importations were made by Generalissimo Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, a dictator that ruled with our island with an iron grip for over 32 years. Trujillo and his family had a true passion for thoroughbreds and equine sports, in particular horse racing and polo, and he created a first class breeding operation at Haras Nacionales. Breeding experts were hired from Europe and Dominicans were sent Europe to learn the trade.
The most important stallions of this first period are El Viento, Ramadan and Gunman.
| El Viento 1957 |
| Hyperion 30
|
Gainsborough 15
|
Bayardo 6
|
Rosedrop 7
|
Selene 19
|
Chaucer 1900
|
Serenissima 13
|
| Skylarking 47
|
Mirza 35
|
Blenheim II 27
|
Mumtaz Mahal 21
|
Jennie 36
|
Apelle 23
|
Lindos Ojos 28
|
El Viento was purchased from the Aga Khan by Trujillo and his most important legacy was El Torcido, a good sire that sired Dominican racing legend El Aguila. El Viento's female family remains important worldwide and has produced such greats as Mehmet, Glorious Song, Rahy, Singspeil, Devil's Bag and Hishi Natalie.
| Ramadan 45 |
| Bahram 32
|
Blandford 19
|
Swynford 7
|
Blanche 12
|
Friar's Daughter 21
|
Friar Marcus 12
|
Garron Lass 17
|
| Arden Lass 37
|
Ariel 25
|
Eternal 16
|
Adana 8
|
Fair Rosalind 27
|
Chatterton 19
|
|
Ramadan was purchased in USA and was a leading sire and produced a son, Ramadan II that was superior as a sire than himself, being skillfully managed by Don Arturo Sziklai, manager of Trujillo's Haras Nacionales. Unfortunately his sire line has failed to live on and to my knowledge he has dissapeared from the Dominican Republic gene pool.
| Gunman |
| Pappageno 35
|
Prince Rose 28
|
Rose Prince 19
|
Indolence 20
|
Kassala 26
|
Cylgad 9
|
Farizade
|
| Agin the Law 46
|
Portlaw 28
|
Beresford 21
|
Portree 22
|
Revolte 33
|
Xandover 27
|
Sheba 22
|
Finally, Gunman, was purchased in Great Britain and was a half brother to leading sire Sing Sing, his sons did particularly well on the short main track that existed in the era. His female family will be well known to Boussac fans for it is responsible for Tourbillon, Djeddah, Darshaan and Akarad. He sired Wilito, a stallion that was an excellent source of front running speed. Unfortunately, non of these lines have survived, however a few descendants of Wilito still exist in the broodmare population.
The second historical period begins after the revolution, which ended in 1965 and extends until 1995. Trujillo�s assassination in 1962 was followed by a period of political unrest, which culminated with a short civil war. This period�s breeding industry was led by Gulf and Western America�s Corporation, which became and has since remained, the largest breeding operation on the island. Located in the now famous resort town of La Romana, the breeding farm Haras Higueral is a state of the art facility which is very professionally run.
Their 
contributions to the Dominican thoroughbred heritage begin with the importation of the Calumet bred stallions Tommy Tucker and Gold Sparks.
Both these stallions have been extremely important in our racing and dominated the Dominican racing scene for nearly 2 decades. They stamped their progeny with class, speed and consistency, however they had one great flaw... they failed to produce a son able to continue their sire line. Their blood is very prevalent in our broodmare population.
| Tommy Tucker 68 |
| Tom Fool 49
|
Menow 35
|
Pharamond II 25
|
Alcibiades 27
|
Gaga 42
|
Bull Dog 27
|
Alpoise 37
|
| Farullah 54
|
Nasrullah 40
|
Nearco 35
|
Mumtaz Begum
|
Be Faithful 42
|
Bimelech 37
|
Bloodroot 32
|
Tommy Tucker was a very well bred horse, being by Tom Fool out of a 3/4 sister to Never Bend. He sired many champions including the legendary Mazel Tov (winner of over 60 races) and Avicena (a top Sprinter having difficulties in the stallion ranks). He is the broodmare sire of Leading Sire Carlo Alberto, which stands at Rancho San Antonio.
| Gold Sparks 66 |
| Tim Tam 55
|
Tom Fool 49
|
Menow 35
|
Gaga 42
|
Two Lea 46
|
Bull Lea 35
|
Two Bob 33
|
| A Glitter 55
|
Khaled 43
|
Hyperion 30
|
Eclair 30
|
A Gleam 49
|
Blenheim II 27
|
Twilight Tear 41
|
Gold Sparks has similar royal breeding, being by Tim Tam out of champion racemare A Glitter. He sired the undefeated mare La Versalles and champions El Principe and Quisqueya (dam of Faisal Jr., our current champion 3yo colt) just to name a few.
Haras Higueral made two other very important importations with important stallions Missile Man and Daring.
| Missile Man 83 |
| Nijinsky II 67
|
Northern Dancer 61
|
Nearctic 54
|
Natalma 57
|
Flaming Page 59
|
Bull Page 47
|
Flaring Top 47
|
| Entente II 71
|
Val de Loir 59
|
Vieux Manoir 47
|
Vali 54
|
Her Honor 54
|
Count Fleet 40
|
Honor Bound 45
|
The first was a half brother to Arkansas Derby winner Hostage, now long gone to Brazil. Missile Man provided our first infusion of the Northern Dancer sire line and produced horses of quality, although limited by unsoundness. He produced champions El Incorruptible (winner of the Clásico Confraternidad del Caribe, a who's who for older Caribbean breds) and Champion and multiple NTR setter My Pride, who's having a slow start as a sire.
| Daring 75 |
| Graustark 63
|
Ribot 52
|
Tenerani 44
|
Romanella 43
|
Flower Bowl 52
|
Alibhai 38
|
Flower Bed 44
|
| Aerialette 64
|
T.V. Lark 57
|
Indian Hemp 49
|
Miss Larksfly 48
|
Flying Ship 46
|
War Admiral 34
|
Bird Flower 46
|
Daring's importation was a stroke of luck. He was actually given to the farm by Panamanian breeder Fernando Eleta, at the time he had made an unremarkable start at stud in Panama. As often occurs in this business, no sooner had been loaded off the plane, his last foal crops in Panama began winning important races, in particular his daughters and he is now leading broodmare sire in that country and is the broodmare sire of 2 winners of the Clásico del Caribe (the premier Caribbean racing event). Daring's produce in DR are usually horses with front running speed that can go a mile to a mile and a quarter. His best progeny are Tenaz, Triple Crown winner Ingrid Virginia, Danielito (we managed his racing career which included Champion Sprinter honors, G1 wins and a string of 11 consecutive victories), and top sprint mare (now a member of our broodmare band).
| Full Realization 83 |
| In Reality 64
|
Intentionally 56
|
Intent 48
|
My Recipe 47
|
My Dear Girl 57
|
Rough'n Tumble 48
|
Iltis 47
|
| Rissa 76
|
Nijinsky II 67
|
Northern Dancer 61
|
Flaming Page 59
|
Kittiwake 68
|
Sea Bird II 62
|
Ole Liz 63
|
Haras Jacksan, owned by our good friend Manfred Codick was responsible for the importation of Full Realization who has been a remarkable speed influence in our country, however his get have a hard time at winning past a mile. By top sire In Reality and from the family of stakes winners Larida, Kitwood and Miss Oceana, I'm quite sure that his influence will continue in our broodmare ranks. As a sire of sires, his son El Tractor P. (who unfortunately died after one season at stud) produced crack Champion 3 yo filly Sweet Honey, who swept this year's Triple Crown. She is the exception to the rule because she is able to run all day.
The third period of Dominican thoroughbred breeding begins with the inauguration of Hipodromo V Centenario racecourse, equipped with a main dirt track with a 1 1/4 mile oval, state of the art barn facilities, a modern grandstand, OTB and simulcasts of the races from Puerto Rico's El Nuevo Comandante Racecourse. This new racecourse and increased prize money has injected new enthusiasm to nearly all breeders and with it the importation of some new stallions that may be influential in the near future.
Haras Matanaranjo, property of Antonio Torres, has imported the Mr. Prospector stallion Gallant Prospector that formerly stood in Florida. The Devil's Bag stallion Kevin's a Devil was also imported by the same farm, although he died after only standing one year. His foals were of the highest quality, but very brittle. A newcomer to the breeding industry Haras Pryca, property of José Martí, has imported Seattle Knight (by Seattle Slew), Wonderloaf (by Affirmed) and Sir Roberto (by Roberto out of a full sister to Forli). Potrero Tresando has purchased major stakes winner Mugatea, who formerly stood in Florida. Haras Roger Michell, property of our good friend Dr. Rodolfo Rincón, has imported graded stakes winner Real Courage, a very well bred horse by In Reality and a half brother to the dam of Champion 2yo Filly Capote Belle and already the sire of stakes winners in USA. Haras Marcel, property of my very good friend and partner in many racehorses Rafael Cuevas, has purchased World Court, by Damascus, he's the sire of numerous winners in USA and a top class filly in Puerto Rico.
Rancho San Antonio has also renovated its stallion roster which already stood Champion and Horse of the Year and Leading Sire Carlo Alberto (who's broodmare sire is the Calumet bred Tommy Tucker) and Champion Imported 3yo in Panama Saint Crimson (by Noble Saint), by importing the winner of the G2 Pilgrim Stakes Tuneful Tip (by Tunerup), Favorite Band (by Dixieland Band from the family of Champions Trillion, Tryptich and Generous) and the El Gran Senor stallion Vincent Russell (a half brother to a NTR holder in USA and a Champion 2 yo filly in Austria).
The future seems bright for Dominican breeding with the importation of such quality stallions, however it is becoming increasingly difficult for Dominican bred stallions to cover quality mares because of the preference for foreign stallions. We are proud to say that we are the only major farm to stand Dominican bred stallions and make them Leading Sires. We began with our homebred Crazy Boy sire of Champion Doña Rosa N. and numerous stakes horses and more recently Leading Sire and top racehorse Carlo Alberto one of the nation's most popular sires. We hope that other breeders may follow our footsteps and give our island bred horses the opportunity to cover quality mares, that combination of proven Dominican bloodlines and top international blood will provide top quality racehorses for years to come.