The much anticipated Stallions annual arrived on my desk the other day and is its usual high standard and a welcome addition to the bookshelf.

Once the pedigrees have been pored over it's also (from a marketing perspective anyway) worthwhile looking at how each stallion is presented.

It was a photo on one of the looseleaf inserts that really caught my attention. You would have thought the stallion in question was turning up for 'best in show' rather than a Stallions photo shoot! He is immaculately turned out.

All credit must go to the stud that stands him - Baerami Thoroughbreds.



Other photos of note:

"Most unusual use of Photoshop": Aristotle, Dante's Fury, Tuscanos

"Most artistic photograph": Tough Speed

"Best lawn award": This has to (as usual) be shared between quite a few well manicured establishments that include Arrowfield, Coolmore [some lawns not quite as green as others however], Chatswood, Collingrove, Woodlands, Glenlogan, Emirates Park, Blue Gum Farm, Baerami, Vinery, Plaintree Farms and Newhaven Park.

"Most unusual back-drop": this was a tricky one given the number of photos that included at least one of the following - a house, half a pagoda, stone wall, a very vibrant stable wall etc. The eventual winner was the walking machine that Investor's Dream is positioned in front of.

Light hearted jokes aside the 2005 edition is fabulous and easily carries the title of the leading Sires Annual in Australia.