Welcome to Kenlach Standardbreds, the family enterprise of John and Karen Kendall. We first registered ‘Kenlach’ in 2005 for the purpose of standing our stallion at stud – New Zealand bred ‘So That’s Life’. We are located in the picturesque township of Anakie, Victoria, centralised between Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong.
‘So That’s Life’ (or ‘Digger’, as he is affectionately known) is a 1998 bay horse by ‘Live or Die‘ from ‘That’s All Franco’. His sire ‘Live or Die’ has been one of New Zealand’s most successful sires having sired over 780 winners and $35 million in stake money. ‘So That’s Life’ is unique in the fact that he is the only siring son of ‘Live or Die’ at stud. Another interesting fact is that ‘So That’s Life’ was the very first official Australian winner for ‘Live or Die’, winning at only his 2nd race start on 6th Feb, 2001… then going on to claim a host of two year old wins including the Victorian Premier Stakes Classic, heat of Bathurst Gold Crown, S.A. Golden Nursery and NSW Edgar Tatlow. His dam ‘That’s All Franco’ is a classic New Zealand bred mare by Michael Jonathon (full brother to Holmes Hanover) whose 2nd dam ‘Time’s Up’ won the prestigious New Zealand Oaks along with many other feature races.
We know you read it all the time in all those glossy adverts, but we are here to say that ‘So That’s Life’ was truly an exceptional young horse. He was gifted with intelligence, a beautiful, clean pacing gait, and instant high speed. He was tenacious and simply loved raceday; he’d start performing the moment we hooked the float up! He was a great traveler and always settled in to new surrounds instantly. ‘So That’s Life’ was triumphant in four different states creating new class and track records along the way! His relaxed attitude and professional manner combined to ensure he was regularly competing and winning at the very top echelon of 2 year old racing. An outstanding juvenile! In fact, top Australian reinsman, Gavin Lang, was once quoted as saying -
“So That’s Life’s desire to win was amazing! This is what set him apart from the rest. A wonderful horse to drive with a great attitude.”
Not long after producing another record in winning the ‘3 year old Prince of Pace’ (Hobart, Tasmania) ‘So That’s Life’ was injured in a paddock accident. Unfortunately, comeback attempts never quite worked out, and he was eventually retired to stud. We firmly believe his early retirement (18 starts in total) has further advanced his capacity to pass on his own particular brand of vitality and dynamism. He has certainly stamped his early progeny with excellent conformation, intelligence and a keen aptitude.
From only a handful of mares he has already produced a Group One winner in ‘That’s so Irish’! On 27/02/11, the ‘So Thats Life’ 3yo gelding became his sire’s first stakes runner when triumphant in winning the ’2011 Tasmanian Derby’, beating a smart field including The Phantom and Devilish Smile. Previous to that he smashed the track record at Maryborough winning stylishly in a very slippery mile rate of 1.55.0 demolishing his rivals in the process. Even more amazing was the fact that he was having only his 2nd racestart. ‘So Thats Life’ has also procuced a multiple winner in ‘Fiery Exit’ ( 7 starts, 5 wins, 2nd and 3rd) and the very consistent performer in ‘Hands of Life’. On 29/12/10 – 2yo ‘Quick an Lively’ scored a most impressive 3rd placing in his first racetrack performance. With the last half in 57.8, this certainly indicates a bright future for this youngster!
As a fledgling enterprise, we understand our customers are everything to us. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and individual service. We provide 24 hour care and have access to the best vets all based locally to us.
And if the saying is correct…. “Best business is repeat business”, then we are certainly on the right track!
