California Chrome's Life Of Luxury In Chile
California Chrome was shuttled to Haras Sumaya near Santiago twice in 2017 and 2018.
Owned by Oussama Aboughazale, Haras Sumaya struck a shuttle deal for the champion with Taylor Made Farm, which is where California Chrome stands in Kentucky. It has just been announced that Chrome will remain in the U.S. this year, bypassing the coming Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
Aboughazale, along with his fellow breeders in Chile, are actively working to improve bloodlines there, and bringing in shuttle stallions is one of the key ways to do so.
California Chrome made his first trip to Chile in 2017, but, before he ever set foot in his Southern Hemisphere home, changes were made to enhance his time there. Upon his arrival, Haras Sumaya also actively used social media to show California Chrome thriving in an effort to help educate upset fans, and it seemed to work.
California Chrome had become a beloved member of the operation at Haras Sumaya.
California Chrome’s paddocks were to one side of his private barn, while an open-air breeding shed — which was built just for him — sat to the other side. It has a roof, but the walls are similar to a horse walker in that, while it is enclosed, it still allows for constant fresh air. On his busiest days, California Chrome was bred three times — at 7 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. He was also turned out as much as possible.
Furthermore, when California Chrome was in residence, the farm’s head veterinarian, Dr Carolina Rojas, stayed on the property.
Another perk of being the king was that California Chrome had visits from an equine physiotherapist three times a week.
Bringing California Chrome to Chile was just part of an ongoing plan to increase the quality of bloodstock in Chile.
“Chile has good conditions for breeding farms, and the Chrome foals are looking good,” said Aboughazale. “We lacked the genetics that are in the United States, but we are trying every year to get very good stallions, and we have most of the American bloodlines here now.”
Aboughazale is not alone in this. For example, Scat Daddy, who stood at Haras Paso Nevado for three seasons, was a sensation in Chile before he became the hottest sire in the United States - he is currently world-ranked #4 - until his untimely passing. Lookin At Lucky (world #18), the sire of champion Accelerate, also proved to be a success in Chile first.
In addition to California Chrome, Aboughazale is optimistic about another young American stallion standing at Sumaya. Indian Trail is the younger full brother to Uncle Mo, and much like his famous sibling, his babies are usually born sporting plain brown wrappers
Credit - Thoroughbred Racing Commentary