Caption: Trainer Darren Johnstone with his wife Sue and Federal Morgan, after victory in the 2020 Ipswich Young Guns Final (520m). (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)
By DAVID BRASCH
QUEENSLANDERS will be well aware of the ability of Federal Morgan who has been retired to stud duties.
But, they did not see him sweep to Group 1 glory. That privilege was left to Kiwis.
By Barcia Bale-Absolute Beaut by Kinloch Brae, Federal Morgan retires to stud with the fabulous racetrack record of 63 starts for 31 wins, 12 seconds and four thirds for stakes of $187,000.
Yes, you read right. Federal Morgan did win 31 races.
Along the way it included success in the Group 1 Hatrick Classic, Group 1 Auckland Cup, and he also won the Golden Chase and Waikato Cup in New Zealand.
Before he left, Federal Morgan had won an Ipswich Young Guns, ran second in the Group 3 Townsville Cup, the Thunder at Albion Park and was a finalist in the Group 1 Brisbane Cup behind superstar Black Opium.
His track record 25.25s at Manawatu puts him in the elite class. Generally the very best stud dogs are those who break track records, who push the level of speed to another level.
Federal Morgan did just that. He’d also won at The Gardens, Gosford, Wentworth Park.
He could run scorching times, including a 24.66s at Ipswich, 22.59s at Albion Park.
When sent to New Zealand to join his Group 1-winning litter sister Jilliby Litsa, Federal Morgan won 14 of his 19 starts. He won 10 in a row at one stage.
He goes to stud boasting everything a top-class stud dog needs.
His sire Barcia Bale has produced the winners of $88 million.
Federal Morgan comes from a litter of eight named offspring and seven of those have been winners.
They also include Jilliby Litsa (19 wins, $101,000), Jilliby Caz (7 wins, $23,000), Jilliby Jac (13 wins, $30,000), Jilliby Sophia (9 wins, $33,000) and Jilliby Zara (5 wins, $14,000).
Jilliby Litsa won the Group 1 Spion Rose in NZ, the Earley Classic, and has been a finalist in the Group 1 NZ Oaks, G1 NZ Cup, G2 Henley Trophy and Waikato Cup.
Their mother Absolute Beaut (Kinloch Brae-Absolute Stunna) was unraced but was a litter sister to superstars Ring The Bell (37 wins, $437,000), Bells Are Ringin (21 wins, $279,000) and Blazin’ Bomber (27 wins, $248,000).
Absolute Beaut has since been mated to Mepunga Blazer (a son of Barcia Bale) and from that litter came Federal Ranger (G1 NZ Futurity).
This direct damline is one of the greatest seen in this country, if not the world. It traces to Fitzroy Lass (Federal Morgan is in-bred to her).
Fitzroy Lass’s legend son Head Honcho has left his mark worldwide.
Federal Morgan is 32.5kg and a perfect size for a stud dog influence.
He brings to the stud ranks some fabulous options for broodbitch owners.
The most obvious are to duplicate Bombastic Shiraz, a fast-emerging proven recipe for success.
The cross of Kinloch Brae in Federal Morgan’s damline opens up some wonderful options.
He has a fabulous link with Fernando Bale (yes, there are endless bitches by him just waiting to go to Federal Morgan) and of course Premier Fantasy.
The Kinloch Brae/Premier Fantasy cross is already a huge success in matings to Mepunga Blazer (by Barcia Bale).
Premier Fantasy can be introduced via Bernardo, Fear Zafonic, Jagger Swagger, Premier Boloney, Prince Diablo, Ritza Lenny, Tuiaki, Hurricane Luke etc.
Federal Morgan carries up close in his pedigree a 3×4 of the famous half-brothers Hallucinate and Pure Octane. This would mean Federal Morgan can mate bitches with Where’s Pedro, their litter brother and half-brother respectively.
He is found in the pedigree of such sires as Allen Deed, My Bro Fabio, My Redeemer, Nolen (proven with Federal Morgan’s mother), Moreira, Aston Kimetto.
Being a son of Barcia Bale, we can look to what crosses have worked exceptionally well with his daughters.
These include Allen Deed, KC And All, Aussie Infrared, Zambora Brockie, Magic Sprite and of course Fernando Bale.
Federal Morgan would do best mated to bitches by Aussie Infrared.
Champion Shima Shine is by Barcia Bale and hugely in-bred to the Gold Rush Bale family. This can be picked up via Allen Deed, Dyna Tron (the cross found in Shima Shine), Bartrim Bale, David Bale, Orson Allen, Tomac Bale, Rippin’ Sam and Tonk.
Outcross influences can also be utilised. His damsire Kinloch Brae has done exceptionally well when linked to bitches with Larkhill Jo in their pedigree. This can be picked up via Fabregas, Droopys Kewell, Droopys Maldini, Out Of Range, Paddy’s Flame, Taylor’s Sky etc.
It is VERY obvious the options at stud for Federal Morgan are almost limitless.
