Chestnut Mare 04/09/2024 Mature 16h ASH 268865
Top Secret is by Chalani Sunstream and from Halsteds Gidget.
We sought out Gidget for her heritage bloodlines, being sired by Witchetty, and type. She was purchased from Hampshire Station at Merriwa, Hunter Valley, NSW sight unseen at the age of 16 years, off John and Jill Halsted. Her lines go back in tail female direct to the famous Terlings Jewess, whom Australia's greatest polo player, Sinclair Hill, bred and considered his greatest ever playing mare. Jewess had seven foals: Jessica, Lady Jane and Lear (played by Hugh MacLachlan) the most notable (see H&H Nov 1970 article in Files) and Juliet (only a foal at the time of this article).
Gidget is the genuine Hunter Valley stock horse which the Society was set up to record. Says John: "She is sound as a bell and can still be ridden. She is 100% bomb proof. She was my main mustering horse for 10 years and never missed a day off sick. You can carry a sheep on her and do anything you want. She has great "stock sense", she even watches lambs. Her legs are 100%.
Kim rode Gidget a few times and described her as 100% quiet in every way. We have kept one of her first fillies, Chalani Surprise, which has the same bombproof nature.
Simmaron is the sire of Gidget - He is one of the last Star Black Minstril horses still siring today. Says John Halsted: “He has sired a ton of good polocrosse ponies, including Champion Pony at the recent Muswellbrook Carnival (2017). The Simmaron’s are a great line. They are very easy to break in, have great minds and are very easy to teach. They can handle pressure at an early age and are very "cowy."
Witchetty, Gidget's grandsire, is the reason for Chalani seeking this bloodline - He proved to be a remarkable station sire and broodmare producer at both Hampshire and Narrangullen stations. By the legendary Rannock from Glen Devon Candy, an excellent TB polo pony of Hugh Maclachlan's, Witchetty was a lovely riding horse, being a regular mount for Hugh on Narangullen. From little opportunity, he produced top polocrosse horses and the line is still going strong for the Halsteds today.
Gidget's dam line is the complete package of great heritage breeding, tracing to the well known Terlings polo ponies. Said John Halsted: "Gidget was bomb proof from the day she was broken in. She did station work up until she had her first foal and was always the go-to horse for inexperienced riders we had working here. She never gave a moment of trouble.
Chalani Australian Stock Horses