Nathan Wilson purchased, owned & successfully showed Beniah’s sire Boonara Gigolo, and his dam Chickasha Stacey. Although the breeding of both was a large factor in his decision to purchase, it was an intangible, gut feeling about them both that he followed.
He couldn’t explain it, it was a decision at the time that those around him had to trust. Nathan trusts his judgement of a horse and what both Boonara Gigolo & Chickasha Stacey produced in Beniah, supports this.
Beniah was infact unplanned, being born out of season in May 2010. This went on to affect his 4yo Classic Year campaign due to then being classed as a 5yo.
Nathan started Beniah, breaking him in and giving him a good foundation. “I sent him mustering on occasions where he did some long days with a good mate. He was always a truly athletic horse that had a lot of bend and wait, always with a big stop.”
“He really started to progress into an outstanding horse as a 3yo, but due to his age, being born out of season, I had to show him as a 3yo in the Stockmans Challenges, up against the 4yos in 2014.”
“In 2015 he won the wet work in the open Challenge at Cloncurry and a few weeks later he won the Paradise Lagoons Challenge up against a fair few tough, competitive horses. I guess that’s when we realised we had a true stud on our hands, and people were beginning to notice him, both in the dry work arena and cattle work.”
“That was about the last time I had a full season of competing and gave him to Brydie. They seemed to click quickly at home, so she gave him his first ever draft start in which they placed 4th in a Novice. She loved how he felt, so set, so young. The rest is really history for those two.”
Brydie lights up when you talk to her about Ben, their bond is palpable, she can’t speak highly enough about him.
“He has the calmest, collected & casual nature. Nothing worries him, he enjoys doing things at his own pace (a factor shining through in his progeny). It’s not until you walk to the back of the camp yard to select your cow, that he actually comes to life.”
“I suppose my favourite thing about Ben, is no matter how many draft starts you give him in the one day, or over the one weekend, he never tries to take over or cheat. He is the exact same horse every draft start you give him. He is always consistent and gives you 110%. Outside he is extremely soft, and you only have to think check, and he’s with you. He truly is a freak on a cow and he gives you a lot of confidence to be able to put him anywhere on a cow at any time.”
In answer to what makes Ben a good sire, Brydie mentions his good strong bone structure, good feet and his good size. But it’s the fact that his trainability, temperament & talent is really shining through in his progeny that is the standout. They all seem to be very carefree and casual, just like him.
Brydie emphasises that they are extremely quiet under saddle, a factor which she believes to be particularly important these days. Having a horse you can just saddle up and ride off on at a young age is a must.
Beniah has boasted multiple jockeys beyond Nathan and Brydie: Thomas Mills, Matt Moffat and Darby Ryan, all of whom either won or placed. His attitude never altered, he never let them down and each rider commented on how much fun he was to ride.
So what does the future hold for this talented, multi-disciplined sire?
Brydie says, “Moving forward I’d love to just keep adding some Open wins to his name. Because of his kind nature on a cow he is so reliable in a 3 round Open, or Cut Out runoff. He loves it when a cow gets tough on him in the yard, he makes it look so effortless outside.”
She added, “Who knows, 2023 might see us return to the Open Challenge arena!”
For Beniah the future is bright, the industry recognises his talent. His success in the competition arena has translated into success in the breeding barn and the sales arena, the world really is his oyster.
And as if all this isn’t enough, the 2022/23 season sees 25 foals on the ground by Beniah, 22 of them fillies. Brydie says,
“I guess that in itself is a good sire!”
