By Helen Coughlan

Dust In The Wind has the credentials to establish himself as a success at stud. There is no doubt that his superb bloodlines entitle him to the best opportunities, and at a service fee of just $2,200 including GST, Nick and Mary Nolan of Noralla Stud situated at Gladfield just outside of Warwick, should be inundated with inquiry.

He is a member of the great family of Eight Carat who has been the source of a multitude of champion racehorses, broodmares and sires. Just as importantly is this family is current and continues to build on the great mares reputation of establishing her own dynasty in the Southern Hemisphere.

A cracking type of stallion and a $260,000 yearling purchase himself, this son of Sir Tristram, who was the Champion Australian Sire six times, and leading New Zealand sire (combined figures) seven times, Dust In The Wind is out of a half-sister to Stakes Winners Commands and Danewin. Commands is standing his second season at Woodlands Stud, and his service fee is $11,000. Danewin has established himself as a sire of consequence, and his fee this season is $22,000.

The grandam of Dust In The Wind is Cotehele House (GB), the half-sister to Octagonal, Marquise, Diamond Lover, Mouawad and Kaapstad. This mare has had nine foals to race for eight winners. The family is now well-established in Australia, but it should not be forgotten that Eight Carat was also a half-sister to the champion English mare Habibti, and to Great Klaire, the grandam of Telesto and Fraternity.

The appeal of standing a stallion by Sir Tristram is strong. The prepotency of this great stallion has been proven over and over again through his sons and grandsons, not to mention his broodmare daughters. Horses such as Zabeel, Marauding, Dr Grace, Grosvenor and Kaapstad (who is closely related to Dust In The Wind) established the supremacy of the line. Zabeel has taken another giant step forward with his son, Octagonal, a close relation of Dust In The Wind, making a name for himself in two hemispheres. Octagonal stands at a fee of $55,000.

Many of the sons of Sir Tristram that have gone to stud have been outstanding racehorses, but this is not to say that these are the only members of the Sir Tristram clan that are shaping the breeding world of today. Promising sires such as Devaraja and The Commander do not boast great race records, but they are getting a host of Black Type winners. In Devaraja's case in particular, the mares he has served to date could only be described as mediocre, so his success is a great advertisement for the might of the Sir Tristram line. 

The Commander is an even better indication of what might lay ahead for Dust In The Wind, as The Commander is not only by Sir Tristram but hails from the same Eight Carat family. The Commander rose to prominence during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival as the sire of the Queensland Derby Group 1 winner De Gaulle Lane. The win took his prizemoney earnings near $650,000 and trainer Colin Alderson declared the horse versatile enough to win a Group 1 at weight for age and seriously threaten to take the VRC Derby Group 1 later in the spring.

The Commander is also the sire of Commendable a rising star on the Brisbane racing scene. Commendable has had 6 starts for 5 wins and a second under the watchful eye of champion trainer John Hawkes, while he was bred and is owned by legendary New Zealand trainer Alan Jones.

Another desirable feature about Dust In The Wind is the fact that he is from a mare by the champion Irish sire Ahonoora. The product of a female line noted for speed, Ahonoora was well up to Pattern races in England and was described as " displaying admirable pace and a zest for competition."

Retired to the Irish National Stud, he was an instant success with performers such as the brilliant filly Park Express and the very effective two-year-old Don't Forget Me, and he also sired the English Derby winner Dr Devious. Ahonoora had to be destroyed after a paddock accident whilst on shuttle to Australia. He was only 14 years of age at the time and his progeny have carried on very well. He is a champion broodmare sire and his sire son Indian Ridge is the pride of the Irish National Stud.

It is interesting to note that the Irish National Stud promotes Indian Ridge as a proven outcross for Northern Dancer line mares, and this could be taken into account when considering suitable mares to go to Dust In The Wind.

The Brisbane Royal Show has always set a high standard in its thoroughbred judging sections. Exhibiters from all over Australia take the competition very seriously and to win a ribbon at this show is a sign of excellence.

Dust In The Wind was awarded Champion Stallion at this year's Brisbane Show. His award clearly demonstrates he is a great type, however he is also a blueblood of thoroughbred breeding, representing some of the world's most sought after families. At a Service Fee of just $2,200, Dust In The Wind represents excellent value.