Riverbank Farm’s Russell Osborne has been running his boutique property – a stone’s throw from Victoria’s Benalla Racecourse – for much of his adult life and, aside from developing said property, he stands seven stallions, agists a whole bunch of broodmares and racehorses, foals down, trains a small team at yonder track and, along with veterinary surgeon wife, Caroline, raises his kids.
Rumour has it, in the five minutes he gets to himself when the sun goes down, he doesn’t mind a beer.
Not surprisingly, he did have one or three (it’s a short walk home!) after saddling up his 100th winner as a trainer after Noble Nightowl won his fourth race on Benalla Gold Cup day last month. And, just to make it interesting, Noble Nightowl is among 100 individual winners for his sire Redente.
Not only does Russell train the nifty 4YO, he stands the sire, bred the horse and races Noble Nightowl with Caroline. So, as you can imagine, the #100 milestone is not something he’ll forget in a hurry.
However, like so many of his peers, Russell didn’t exactly spend a great deal of time lapping up the limelight … it’s right in the midst of breeding season and, apart from sleepless/short nights that go with the territory in spring, there’s the not insignificant task of taking care of business for seven stallions.
The aforementioned Redente, an impeccably bred son of Redoute’s Choice, is producing the winners at a steady rate – and not just Russell’s – with Sylvia Thompson’s Brenlyn’s Trooper running a lip second in the Listed Creswick at Flemington and winning three, while city winners include Just Stellar, Beautiful Bee and Redentes Edge.
Redente stands at $3,300 in 2022 as does the Champion 3YO and prolific, Anacheeva (Group winner Ana Royale etc.) and the truly versatile Commands stallion Skilled (Fiscal Fantasy, Pecans etc.).
Of course, Von Costa De Hero is incredible value at $2,200 (especially as the sire of multiple stakes winners) and the Osbornes are planning early retirement when third season sire Prince of Caviar ($4,400) starts producing types just like his mum, Black Caviar.
Speaking of racing ‘immortals’, Boulder City ($5,500) is a ½ brother to Winx and the only son of Champion Sire Snitzel standing in Victoria at under $10k. Impressively fertile, Boulder City has already had success with his first crop runners in Victoria and Singapore this season including Pacific Star, Tomboulder etc.
Last but not least – although at $2,000 it’s probably the least you’ll pay to access a quality stallion – is the High Chaparral entire, Wayed Zain.
Wayed Zain has had just the six runners to date but they include Jerome Hunter’s promising Rockin’ Zain – an easy winner at Ballarat in September – along with last week’s Geelong winner Gargantuan, who was having just his second start and won very well.
It’s all shaping up to be a VERY promising year for the Osborne clan.
For further information on any of the Riverbank stallions, phone Russell Osborne on 0423 768 155.