Tobago going worldwide...

H

htobago

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 March 2007
Messages
2,937
Location
Oxford and London
Visit site
Well, I've done it - I've spoken to Tullis and we're arranging for Tobago to go back to Twemlows v soon to be collected for US/Worldwide frozen semen distribution...
shocked.gif
crazy.gif
smile.gif


I hesitated for quite a while, worried that this might be a silly over-ambitious, premature move.
blush.gif


But then I dithered over whether to have him collected for Europe as well as the UK for his first season at stud, and it turned out to be the right decision - 3 of his best mares this year are in Belgium, and I've just booked another 2 super ones from Holland for 2008. And the Belgian breeder has offered to be his European agent...
smile.gif


And two of the top Arab judges/experts in the US have given me absolutely glowing quotes about him to put in his US/international magazine ads...so I'm really hoping this will turn out to be the right decision, especially as he will have to be away at Twemlows for 6 weeks, and I will really miss him!
frown.gif


Anyway - I was just wondering - has anyone else on here ventured into the US/world market with their stallions? Any advice or experiences or thoughts to share?
 
I think it sounds totally the right move, best of luck promoting him to the Americans but I think they'll love him!!!
Probably asked you this before but does he have a website yet? I know two friends in the states you have a big interest in arabs and they'd love to see him
 
I wish you well. I don't really think it is such an ambitious move to be honest - no different to collecting for any horse being AI'd anywhere in the world. Quite simply if he doesn't break the US market, you just dip out.

You have as many pros as you have cons here:

US customers love to have bloodlines from Europe - this would be seen as a bit of something extra special.

However as you likely know, the US market is MASSIVE! Competition is incredibly tough particularly in the volatile and fickle market which we see over here. There are some AMAZING stallions here who are owned by very wealthy people who can market, attend top world shows etc.

It could go either way, Tobago could make the big time over here, or he could crash and burn.......but you'll never know until you try! So I think you are right to give it a bash.
smile.gif
 
Ww have just gone through the same move and hopefully will have 4 Weston Justice babies in USA next year. We just look at it as an investment a little chancy but all breeding is if you think about it. Tullis takes great care of them and your boy will be quite happy.
 
Well done, he is such a lovely stamp I think you will be fine. If they arent interested in the US you can always use his frozen stock for europe and the UK if necessary, but id very surprised if they arent!

The americans really seem to go for all those great attributes he has - they love their breeds, top quality stamp and love their showing!

Good luck, and hopefully we'll see some babies on the other side of the pond in 2009!!
laugh.gif
 
Thank you so much everyone - you lot are so nice and supportive; you always make me feel more confident about what I'm doing with Tobago!
smile.gif


volatis he should have his own little website quite soon - I heard from the designer the other day, and she says it's nearly ready - she's reserved the domaine name (or whatever it's called), so I hope it will be up and running fairly soon. Meanwhile, I'd be happy to email pics and info to your US chums!
wink.gif


A lot of the breeders who have used him have very kindly offered to let me post photos of their mares on the Tobago website and messages from them about why they chose him, etc. Isn't that sweet of them?
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ww have just gone through the same move and hopefully will have 4 Weston Justice babies in USA next year. We just look at it as an investment a little chancy but all breeding is if you think about it. Tullis takes great care of them and your boy will be quite happy.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well done! That's very encouraging news! I've seen a few pics of your boy and he is fabulous - not surprised the Americans are keen on him!
grin.gif


As you say, it's a risk, but so is any investment. They already have a lot of Padrons Psyche and Bey Shah blood in the US, but not that much of it through Tobago's sire Psytadel (who was exported from the US to Belgium as a colt) and none with my boy's wonderful Old English damline, so I'm hoping there will be some interest in his bloodlines. As well as in him as an individual, of course.
wink.gif


Where did you advertise your boy? (I'm just 'testing the water' with an ad in one of the big US Arab mags, and on a couple of international Arab websites. ) Have you found the US breeders nice to deal with?
 
Htobago........sorry for my late reply......been so hectic at work and home just now, dont know where the days are going....

Anyway you are definately making the right move and wishing you all the best with it.........you never know Tobago may have a friend joining him........
wink.gif
 
We didnt advertise him we had a chap from USA desperate to us him and as he wanted for more than one and we get phonecalls every year we decided to take the plunge. We have it stored at Emcostallions a lady called Christine Miller who has a website and seems to work at promoting her stallions
 
[ QUOTE ]
Htobago........sorry for my late reply......been so hectic at work and home just now, dont know where the days are going....

Anyway you are definately making the right move and wishing you all the best with it.........you never know Tobago may have a friend joining him........
wink.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Anastasia!
smile.gif


Friend? What friend? Tell me more - I'm intrigued!
 
Thanks Enfys!

I'll post a link as soon as the website is up and running!

Meanwhile, I have just this minute sent my ad off to the US magazine... Fingers crossed! I used a version of this photo:

tobagotwistdark.jpg


and a little conformation-pic as well - this photo but a lot smaller so it doesn't look grainy:

tobagomalvern0122cr.jpg


Does anyone know how I could 'clean/sharpen' this photo up so it would look better even when blown up big like this?
confused.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top