Sixties Icon still going strong as Norman Court reveals exciting opportunity

Covid-19-related economic uncertainty has affected the world of bloodstock for the past eight months, and will do so for many more to come, but it has given Norman Court Stud an opportunity to give clients an extraordinary bargain in the making come breeding season next year.

Sixties Icon has long done the Wiltshire-based operation proud and, at the age of 17, has enjoyed another successful season with Listed scorer Nastase and the stakes-placed pair Nagano Gold and Modern Millie.

The pandemic and subsequent economic recession has meant studs everywhere have had to reduce fees, but Norman Court nominations manager Tina Dawson feels some shrewd business can be made as a result of standing Sixties Icon for just £1,000 - the Classic hero has stood for £6,000 previously.

She said: "He's had another good season on the racetrack with Modern Millie - it was a shame she was beaten just a short head in a Listed race at Newmarket at the end of last month - while Nastase has been really good for him this year.

Nastase (left): one of the flag bearers for Sixties Icon on the track this yearCredit: Francesca Altoft Photography

"It's going to be a tough year for pretty much everybody and we've always believed in the horse - his record speaks for itself and his stats speak for themselves.

"He's still 51 per cent winners to runners, as a broodmare sire he's 50 per cent, and he seems to get winners on every surface, any trip and any ground."

On the decision to cut Sixties Icon's fee and to introduce VAT payable on or before covering the mare, Dawson explained: "He's had support this year, the stud itself supports him, and I get a lot of people who I speak to say, 'He's a really good stallion', but he's not commercial.

"His average is just over £17,000, so that's not a bad return, and you won't get any progeny who try harder for you on the racetrack.

"We thought this would make people sit up and take notice. It seemed an innovative thing to try, and the reaction so far has been very positive."

Sixties Icon is no one-trick pony either. Unsurprisingly, as a son of Galileo - who imparts plenty of stamina into his progeny - he is making an impact in the National Hunt sphere too.

Dawson said: "We're not marketing him as a jump sire but he's getting jumpers as well; Buildmeupbuttercup [a Listed hurdle winner at Punchestown on Sunday] for instance is with Willie Mullins in Ireland. He's pretty much everything to everybody."

Rumble Inthejungle: won the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes in 2018Credit: Alan Crowhurst

As for the newest member of the team, Molecomb winner Rumble Inthejungle has impressed as a physical specimen and looks to have a bright future in his second career, albeit with a different profile to his venerable studmate.

Dawson added: "He's got a very different profile to Sixties but is a super-looking individual. He's very correct and shouts speed, he's got a precocious pedigree and [sire] Bungle Inthejungle is proving he's no flash in the pan as he's continued producing black-type horses.

"Obviously Rumble helped get him off to the start he deserved, but Rumble in his own right looks as if he's got a chance. We've had a lot of interest, and particularly in the breeding rights."

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