How Bernardo Rose To Stud Superstardom

WITHIN the space of just nine days in October 2018 Bernardo's first three litters hit the ground with little to no fanfare.

Following an accomplished racing career, yet one which finished more as what could have been rather than what was, Bernardo, being a son of Kc And All and the well related Surfonic, was given his chance to flourish at stud.

But his launch into the stud scene was always going to be a grind, starting at the bottom, with the lofty dream of working his way to the top.

BERNARDO AT STUD

"From very early on the plan was to breed with him," a proud Jenny Gill, who shares in the ownership with William and Judy McMahon, said.

"He had every attribute you would want in a stud dog. He was just a fierce chaser and we knew how fast he was. But injuries stopped him from reaching the absolute top. 

"When he did his Achilles at the end of 2017 he had five months off and went first-up into the Group 1 Harrison-Dawson at Sandown and got beaten half-a-length in the final by My Redeemer.

"He was a special dog and we never saw the absolute best of him due to injuries. 

"With stud dogs I'm a big believer that they can't be from a litter that was a one hit wonder. There were ten in Bernardo's litter, all ten won and six of them in the city, top dogs like Degani (23 wins) and Marcello (31 wins) as well.

"Right through the family there is success. I bought Bernardo's mum Surfonic (Fear Zafonic x Surf Queen) when she was 12 weeks old and it was probably the best thing I ever did."

Fast forward 5 ½ years and Bernardo's ascension through the stud ranks has been nothing short of remarkable.

Now arguably the most in demand sire in the country, standing at a stud fee of $6,600, Bernardo's offspring is rapidly closing in on 4000 race wins with prize money on the verge of $15 million.

Included among his progeny are greyhounds the calibre of Baby Jaycee, Hector Fawley, Aussie Secret, Umberto, Explicit, Saige Tennielle, Pass The Buck and Maybe Yesterday … just to name a few. 

On Monday night, three of his offspring, Explicit, Got Attitude and Shima Shadow, each won heats of the Group 2 Shepparton Cup.

"When Will(iam) (McMahon) and I first advertised him he was $1100," Gill remembered.

"There obviously wasn't a lot of hype or interest around him which you can understand, but we were always confident he'd make it. He just had too much going for him."

While early interest in Bernardo was quiet, that soon changed following the emergence of his first two litters to grace the racetrack.

The springboard to stud stardom began with breeder Robert Bean's faith in putting Sunset Believer to the then unproven sire which paid the ultimate of dividends, unearthing Group 1 Hobart Thousand winner Aussie Secret as the headline act of a litter which won 113 races and more than $500,000 in stakes.

The gifted litter started plying their trade at the same time a litter to Dr. Dawn, bred by McMahon and Gill, also began creating headlines, led by the exploits of Group 3 Great Chase hero Dr. Tucker.

Such is the opinion Gill and McMahon had of Dr. Tucker, the one-time Melbourne Cup favourite has been given his chance at stud much in the same mould as his decorated father.

"He was just too fast for his own good – injuries stopped us from ever seeing his true potential," Gill said.

"His two gears were stop and go – that's all he knew but just such a ferocious chaser and the early reports of his pups are glowing.

"Will says the sign of a real stud dog is one that can throw a stud dog and we're hoping Dr. Tucker is that dog."

It was Dr. Tucker's remarkable early performances that really got the ball rolling for Bernardo.

"People really started taking notice and the phone started ringing," Gill said.

"His fee went from $1100 to $2200 and then $3300 and what we noticed was that people were trying to stockpile straws as his success on the track grew."

At a time when Bernardo's stud career was going from strength to strength, it was in early 2021 when things came to a standstill, with the highly sought after sire struck down with a mystery illness.

Enter Jason and Seona Thompson.

"He had a virus and we didn't draw from him for a good nine months," Gill said.

"I was talking to Jason one day and he said to me that it was a waste that a dog as good as Bernardo wasn't serving bitches and said he had a specialist in Sydney that might be able to help.

"From there Jason and Seona have steered the ship and they've managed Bernie so well. They love him like he's their own and have done a wonderful job."

These days Gill can't help but marvel in the success being enjoyed by offspring of her once in a lifetime sire.

"I love watching people have success with his pups," Gill said. "If I pick up a form guide and see one of Bernie's pups in then I give them a cheer."

And as for a favourite?

"Hector Fawley," Gill quickly responded.

"He reminds me so much of his dad. A fierce chaser and great in a field as well. I love watching him race."