Open Day - 27th August, 2000

Chatswood is a beautifully appointed stud nestled in a breathtaking backdrop of striking mountains and at this time of the year, the green is vibrant.  Visitors were ferried in from the main road and driveway in a mini bus, as parking cars in the paddocks on the property could have proved troublesome due to the two inches of rain the area received on the previous Wednesday.

Greg Willis the principal of Chatswood obviously has a real flair for entertaining, as absolutely nothing was overlooked.   He treated his guests to a lunch far beyond the usual for such a function, smoked salmon, Chinese yum cha, gourmet sandwiches cold meats and wonderful salads and for those with a 'sweet tooth', cakes followed.  A glass of red or white or perhaps an ale to wash it down, and the very thoughtful touch of a cappuccino machine, for those who love good coffee.  The kids were very well catered for with activities and a merry-go-round and the mandatory fairy floss.

Well known performer Mike Brady was their with his unique and popular style and background music set the mood for the main event - The Stallion Parade.

First of the equines was a lovely chestnut mare, Scan the Planet and her chestnut Ashkalani foal, followed by a brown mare with her very young Bubble Gum Fellow foal.  Both mares and their foals were in tip top condition and represented the quality we all aim to achieve.

First of the stallions was the stunning grey Barishnikov, with the immaculate pedigree.  He is a half brother to Zabeel.   This horse won the Group 1 Australian Guineas as a 3 year old and Chatswood  looks certain to follow on his early success, at stud.

Next to go was Racers Edge by the superstar we had just seen at Collingrove - Rory's Jester.  This very athletic stallion is currently the second leading stallion on Victoria's First Season Sire list to his former Chatswood mate - Flying Spur.

With six individual Stakes Winners, Geiger Counter (USA) has really made his mark on the Australian thoroughbred breeding scene.  This stallion is very well conformed and a real 'power house'. He has also emerged in North America as a significant broodmare sire, and is sure to do the same here in Australia.

This time last year there was much excitement to be at Chatswood to see the newly arrived Japanese superstar - Bubble Gum Fellow.  He had then only been at the stud a very short while and was still to 'let down'.  This year with time and the chance to settle behind him, he is a truly lovely individual with graceful correct lines.  This horse stands at the Shadai Stallion Station in Japan for $A55,000, so his Australian fee represents excellent value.  He has attracted books of top broodmares such as Apple Danish, Bichette, Berberia, French Resort (Gr1), Love to Dance (Gr1) and others that are sure to greatly enhance his progeny record in this country.

Last boy to parade before the huge crowd was the impeccably bred Danehill son, Dangerous.  Chatswood has a history with sons of Danehill, having stood the Golden Slipper winners Flying Spur and Danzero.  Many consider it very unlucky that Dangerous too did not add the 'Slipper' to his list of wins.  The striking family resemblance can be seen in Dangerous and he is sure to be popular with discerning Australian breeders.

For those with a 'thirst' to learn more, Greg Willis provided a showbag of information about his fantastic stallion lineup and I feel sure that the day would have introduced the  'Chatswood boys' to many new customers.