GEM MAKES BRIGHT START TO STUD CAREER

Ian Fortune

When the news came through that Jacktavern Gem suffered a career ending injury after his sensational racing debut in the opening round of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny, it came as a real gut punch to his owners the Pillar Syndicate and trainer Adam Dunford.

Certainly, Noel Byrne, a member of the Pillar Syndicate, believed that the son of Good News and Galadriel is the fastest they had ever owned and it was hard to argue the point with the flying youngster recording the joint fastest time ever posted on debut at the St James Park venue.

Indeed, as times goes by, that 28.64 return looks better and better. When you consider the current Derby favourite Bocko Diamond beat Irish Sprint Cup champion Broadstrand Syd in one of the other heats, going some four lengths slower than Jacktavern Gem, it really does put into perspective what a run it was.

Attempts have been made to get Jacktavern Gem back on the track but after his latest setback, the decision has been made that there is no future on the track for him. Instead, connections have decided to focus on his new career as a stud dog and he made quite a start.

Only recently his first litter, out of brilliant racer Skywalker Cilla, produced five dogs and six bitches. Just days later, his second litter out of leading brood Newinn Madam, the dam of the Pillar Syndicate’s own Jacktavern Bolt and Ballinakill Alf, had five dogs and one bitch.

The quality of brood bitch he has attracted continued with his third litter out of Beaming Smasher, the dam of Laurel’s champion High Trend, Beepers Lariat and two of the UK’s fastest Aero Sacundai and the now retired Maree Smasher.

But perhaps the most interesting mating Jacktavern Gem had was his fourth. Recent Sporting Press Irish Oaks winner Fleadh Saraide has been retired to the breeding paddocks and she is heavily in pup. She is due in the next week or so and, given her blistering early speed, she could throw champions.

We won’t get to see the first crop of Jacktavern Gem’s hitting the track until late next year but it would be no surprise if he made quite a splash. Jacktavern Gem is to stand at the Droopys Stud and is set to be advertised from this week.