Tania Tandias Destroying the Theory

There’s no absolute truth to theories.
You either believe in them — or you don’t.

One theory this writer has long subscribed to is that the best foal a mare produces usually arrives in her first four offspring. Statistically, it often holds true.

But when Graphite (by Bettor’s Delight) won impressively at Cambridge last Thursday to remain unbeaten after two starts, he became a clear outlier. As the 11th foal from Tania Tandias, he is now her sixth winner — and shaping as potentially her best. Purchased for $115,000 from the 2023 Auckland Yearling Sales when offered by Woodlands Stud, he was snapped up by Stonewall Stud and is now in the care of the Telfers. So far, he’s made a very solid start.

The deeds of Tania Tandias as a broodmare have spanned a 15-year rollercoaster — and for much of it, she and her foals have flown under the radar.

By noted broodmare sire Falcon Seelster — a true outcross for New Zealand mares over many years — and out of Group 1 winner Tandias Courage (23 wins and $305k in Australia and America), Tania Tandias never raced. But her pedigree page gave her commercial appeal, and she was given opportunities at top sires.

Her first two foals, both fillies by Christian Cullen, didn’t make it to the track — but both became dams of winners. One of them, Royal Gem, produced Argyle (8 wins, $107k and counting).

Lincoln Farms originally bred Tania and would later play a major role in the careers of several of her offspring.

Zanzibar Babe, by Rocknroll Hanover, won 2 of 12 starts and took a 1:56.9 mile rate but was never bred from.

Foal No. 4, Lincoln Lady (by Somebeachsomewhere), was promising early, contesting a Sires Stakes heat and running fifth in a sub-2:00 mile rate. But she failed to progress across another six starts and was eventually sold cheaply as a broodmare. She now resides at Macca Lodge and most recently foaled a colt by Perfect Sting.

Four foals in, and still nothing truly notable.

Enter colonial sire Sir Lincoln (racing in Australia as Lincoln Royale). Foal No. 5 became Lincoln Road (14 wins and $95k), while No. 6 was Lincoln’s Girl, who stepped it up again with 28 career wins — 20 of them in the U.S. — and earnings of $196k, including a 1:51 mile rate.

From there, Woodlands Stud came into the fold. Foal No. 7, Tommy Lincoln (by American Ideal), was a sharp 1:55 two-year-old in New Zealand before transferring to Australia, where he has won 16 races and $220k, lowering his mark to 1:52.7.

Bred again to a colonial stallion — this time Highview Tommy — her next foal, Harry Kane, has since won 10 races and $72k with a best time of 1:54.

Flamenco, by Downbytheseaside, qualified but was retired after just one start. She’s now in the broodmare paddock and has produced a colt by American Ideal, and is in foal to champion sire Bettor’s Delight.

Shakira (1:57.4), also by Bettor’s Delight and Tania’s 10th foal, has already won three for trainer Benny Hill, with more to come.

Foal No. 12, American Falcon, was purchased by West Australian buyers at the 2024 Auckland Sales — for a far smaller sum than Graphite — and already placed on debut in July as a two-year-old.

Following him is a yearling full brother to Tommy Lincoln, aptly named Timmy Lincoln, and a weanling filly by Bettor’s Delight. Tania Tandias is currently in foal again to Bettor’s Delight, making it her 15th foal.

Credit must go to Woodlands Stud, who showed faith and persistence in a mare whose early career didn’t offer much promise — a belief now richly rewarded.

Adding to the family’s commercial upside is the success of Tania’s half-sisters. Three have topped $100k on the racetrack, headed by Tatijana Bromac (by Rocknroll Hanover), who won 8 races and nearly $200k. More significantly, Tatijana Bromac has gone on to produce three $280k+ winners in the breeding barn, including standout mare Aardies Express (20 wins from 33 starts, $498k, 1:48.9).

Theories are just that — theories. There are always exceptions to the rule.
And in this case, I might have to rethink my belief about mares peaking early in their breeding careers.

For now, I’m just glad I’ve got a granddaughter of Tania Tandias in the paddock at home.