Trade Fair Tribute
“Trade Fair was the most under-rated stallion in my 50 years in the industry and deserved far more recognition that he was afforded.”
That’s the fitting tribute to Trade Fair from John Chalmers, WA’s leading bloodstock agent, after the 18-year-old stallion was humanely euthanised on Wednesday, February 28, with multiple large cancer tumours.
Chalmers negotiated the shuttle of Trade Fair for David Redvers, of Tweenhills Farm and Stud, Gloucestershire, England, to stand at Evergreen Lodge, Myalup, in 2006 for a syndicate of Rick Hart, Fiona Gerrard (Toreby Park), the late Allan Young (Kintore Stud) and Siobhan Campbell (Bellbridge Park).
He covered 92 mares in his first season and stood a further three years at Evergreen Lodge.
Chalmers then organised the outright purchase of Trade Fair to Ted van Heemst’s Lynward Park Stud in 2010 with the original shareholders remaining in the partnership. Trade Fair was re-located to John Andrew’s Alwyn Park Stud, Serpentine.
In 12 WA seasons Trade Fair covered 811 mares with a 87 per cent fertility rate. His biggest book was 122 mares in 2014.
“Trade Fair was largely supported by owner-breeders as opposed to commercial studs,” said Chalmers. “And he was rarely afforded the best of mares.
“He has a record of 517 named foals for 400 starters and 245 winners at 61.3 per cent. And 6.8 per cent of his runners have been Stakes winners or Stakes placed. His winners have been successful from 1000m to 3800m.
“Trade Fair has sired Group and Listed winners in both hemispheres including the Canadian Group 1 winner Trade Storm, who also gained Group placings in Canada, the USA, UAE and UK.
“His best Perth winners have been Fuschsia Bandana, winner of the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes, Strickland Stakes and Northerly Stakes, and Cool Trade, winner of the Listed Scenic Blast Stakes and placed nine times at Listed level.
“Trade Fair has produced 31 individual winners in the current racing season and there is much more success ahead.
“His progeny have been extremely resilient and very sound with many racing till seven or older.
“His stud performance has been clearly impressive.”
Trade Fair’s sire, Zafonic won at five of seven starts including the Group 1 English Two Thousand Guineas and Dewhurst Stakes and the Group 1 French Prix Morny and Prix de la Salamandre. He was the 1992 2Y0 and 1993 3Y0 European champion.
Trade Fair’s dam, Danefair, by Danehill from Roupala, a daughter of Cairn Rouge, winner of the Group 1 Irish One Thousand Guineas and Group 1 English Champion Stakes, was unbeaten in four French starts taking the Group 3 Prix Minerve and Listed Prix des Tuileries and Prix Melisande.
Trade Fair’s five wins included the Group 3 Irish Minstrel Stakes and English Criterion Stakes and Listed English King Charles 11 Stakes and Dubai Duty Free Cup. He was third in the Group 1 English Dewhurst Stakes, their equivalent to the Golden Slipper Stakes.
Trade Fair was the second top UK miler in 2003, when he was third on the International Classification.
Said John Andrew: “Trade Fair was a terrific horse. Good to handle. An absolute professional. His progeny responded to kindness.”
Trade Fair was cremated and buried near his stall at Alwyn Park Stud.
