The New South Wales stallion parades are underway with several farms opening their farm gates to show off their stallions to keen breeders and racing participants.
Over the weekend, several farms in the Hunter Valley hosted their annual stallion parades, providing prospective breeders, industry professionals, and fans the opportunity to view the equine talent in person and consider which of the new stallions might become the Champion Sire of the future.
At the picturesque New South Wales base of Widden Stud, the 10-strong roster is headlined by Zoustar, standing at $275,000 (inc GST). The operation also welcomed the precocious Sweet Ride, a Group 3-winning 3-year-old and son of Deep Field, while the first foals of Jacquinot, the G1 Golden Rose and G1 CF Orr S. victor, are now landing on the ground.
Zoustar will stand for $275,000 (inc GST) in 2024 | Image courtesy of Sarah Ebbett Photography
Gallery: Some of the stallions on show at the Widden Stud parade
Boutique breeders Chris and Jane Barnham, breeders of Joliestar (Zoustar), were actively attending several parades over the weekend. Jane Barnham told The Thoroughbred Report, “We went to Widden Stud on Friday morning. Chris and I went to see Zoustar because I don’t think I’d seen him in the flesh before. I was very happy; he is producing some lovely, lovely horses.”
Speaking about the farm, Barnham added, “I love visiting Widden; it’s so unique. You really feel like you’re in Australia. I feel very at home at Widden. I love how they’ve embraced it as such an authentic Australian stud. It had been a while since I was up at Widden, but the number of improvements in their fencing and pasture was amazing; it was just mind-blowing to see the difference.”
Chris Barnham also shared, “I loved Zoustar and Anders. We will be supporting Zoustar. Overall, all the farms were presented in immaculate spring conditions, no doubt helped by the warm temperatures and the rain.”
Brigid Kennedy of Loch Equine was active over the weekend, attending several parades, including Widden on Friday.
Kennedy emphasised the importance of supporting the middle market after a challenging sales season for those at the lower end. She remarked, “There’s a lot of deals done at the top of town, but we in the middle keep the industry alive. It’s important to look after us. In the middle, trainers have the full financial exposure, so you know the sales are honest, and trainers are buying a horse they really like.”
She also expressed her past support for Widden Stud’s Champion 3-Year-Old Colt, Trapeze Artist, who produced the G1 Caulfield Guineas victor Griff in his first crop, saying, “We have one mare in foal to Trapeze Artist and didn’t have a horse to send to them this year, but moved one of our mares to Zousain.”
This season, Kennedy is backing Widden Stud’s promising Zousain, who has sired the dual Group 3 winner Drifting in his first crop. She stated, “I’m really impressed with him. We were going to sell the mare, but we are keeping her to go to Zousain. I liked Written By, and I especially like how Widden have met the market in offering good value. Zousain has been well supported at sales, and he’s not overexposed with the price that he is.”
Anamoe steals the show
At Darley over the weekend, the spotlight was firmly on the Godolphin-raced and Darley-bred Champion Anamoe. Now standing in his second season at stud, Anamoe served 148 mares at $121,000 (inc GST) in his debut season. The first foals from the nine-time Group 1 winner are arriving this spring.
Darley also introduced New South Wales breeders to their new additions, the Group 1 winners Native Trail (GB) and Triple Time (Ire). Native Trail, a son of Oasis Dream (GB), claimed three Group 1 titles, including the G1 Dewhurst Stakes and G1 National Stakes as a 2-year-old, and went on to secure the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas. Meanwhile, Triple Time, a son of the extraordinary Frankel (GB), emulated his sire by adding the G1 Queen Anne Stakes to his CV.
Jock Ferguson of Bell River Thoroughbreds was able to attend two parades this year. He told TTR AusNZ, “I very much enjoyed both stallion parades at Kia Ora and Darley, respectively.
“A stallion that surprised me the most was Native Trail at Darley. I think over the weekend he captured everyone’s eye,” Ferguson said about the Darley parade.
Kristy Willis of Rheinwood Pastoral enthused, “You can’t go past Anamoe. He really stole the show.”
Kennedy added, “Can’t not love Anamoe! He’s a superstar, quite an outstanding individual; you’d have a lot of faith there, although he’s out of my price range.”
Although Anamoe is out of her price range, Kennedy is supporting his sire, Street Boss (USA), who stands at Darley in Victoria. “We’ve sent two mares to Street Boss, who is in Victoria, and are going back there.”
Daniel Nakhle, the breeder of last season’s high-class 3-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), who is being aimed at targets like the Golden Eagle in Sydney, also made the trip across the Tasman for the parades. Reflecting on his visit to Darley, he said, “Anamoe—you could just sit and look at him for hours. I also liked Native Trail; he reminded me of Militarize in that they were both fast and powerful.”
The Barnhams were also fans of Anamoe. “He was a standout. But we’ll be supporting Harry Angel,” Chris Barnham said.
Jane Barnham added, “Darley is just another level. My son came with us for the first time to a stallion parade, and he said Darley feels like you’re in Europe; it’s just so beautiful. When you’re in that parade area, it’s quite European-looking, and then you walk out, and there are all the gum trees, and you remember that you’re in Australia.
“And of course, their sandwiches are always the best! That’s Merv, who is the caterer there. Anamoe is amazing though. He just looks like a panther, and the way he moves is just beautiful.
“The other horse I liked was Native Trail. He looked amazing.”
Kia Ora boys turn heads
Kia Ora also held its annual parade, showcasing its three stallions, led by the G1 Golden Slipper hero Farnan, along with the dual Group 3 winner Prague and Captivant, a victor of the G1 Champagne Stakes.
Captivant will stand for $22,000 inc GST in 2024
Gallery: Some of the stallions on show at the Kia Ora parade, images courtesy of Hunter Media Co
Jimmy Unwala of Avesta Bloodstock attended the Kia Ora parade over the weekend and shared his thoughts with The Thoroughbred Report: “Once again, the team at Kia Ora put on a grand show for all the breeders and industry participants.
“From their perfectly manicured lawns to their generous hospitality and, of course, the stallions—everything was on point.”
Unwala was particularly impressed by Farnan, saying, “I have a lot of time for Farnan. With his first crop about to hit the track, he has as good a chance as any. Given his credentials and the types we’ve seen at the yearling sales, you’d want to have a mare in foal to him this season.
“With a racing jurisdiction obsessed with 2-year-old precocity and speed, Farnan is the obvious answer.”
Jane Barnham said about the Kia Ora parade, “I like to see all the stallions, and there’s a lot of talk around Farnan at the moment. So, I wanted to see what he looks like and how he behaves. Kia Ora initially wasn’t on our list, but Peter O’Brien urged us to go. The hospitaliy was great as well.”
Willis of Rheinwood Pastoral admitted she’s a big fan of the son of Redoute’s Choice, saying, “I’m a huge Prague fan.
“We have heavily supported him since he first went to stud and love his outstanding progeny. We have six mares in foal to him this year. (Saturday) was actually my first time seeing him in daylight since he was on the racetrack, and he’s let down beautifully.
“Over the past couple of years, I’ve just been seeing him in the dark when we get mares served. He’s my pick to make it of the first-season sires. The ones we’ve had have been real racehorses; they eat, they work, and I think that bodes well for his chances. He really stamps them too—all bay with a white star.”
Meanwhile, Kennedy also attended Kia Ora and will be supporting both Farnan and Prague. “I’m sending two mares to their horses, one to Farnan and the other to Prague.”
Commenting on her fondness for Prague, who was also Group 1-placed and a $1.6 million purchase from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, she said, “Prague is an outstanding type, and perfect for trying to lift a mare and put quality into her without too much (financial) exposure. I have a Prague filly; I bought the mare in foal to her, and I’m really happy with the filly—happy to go there again, especially at the value he offers.
Gallery: Hospitality at the Kia Ora Stallion Parade, images courtesy of Hunter Media Co
“They’ve (Kia Ora) met the market well and put on the best spread. When you spend so much on nominations, you get to go there and claw a little bit back with great food.”
Ferguson, who’s Bell River Thoroughbreds sold a colt by Farnan from the Group 1-winning mare I Am Excited (Snitzel) for $1.2 million at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, added, “I always love seeing Farnan and the quality that he’s been leaving in his stock. I am looking forward to what his 2-year-olds are going to do this coming season.”
Vinery boys offer fantastic value
This year, Vinery welcomed the dual Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Hawaii Five Oh to its seven-strong roster. The operation will also see the first runners from Ole Kirk step out this spring, along with the first 3-year-olds by the promising Exceedance.
Kennedy attended Vinery over the weekend and praised the farm for looking after its client base and offering quality stallions at competitive prices. “Vinery is always fantastic; they really look after their client base. Even without it being a soft year (like this one), they’ve always provided quality at a good price.”
Hawaii Five Oh will stand for $16,500 (inc GST) in 2024
Gallery: Some of the stallions on show at the Vinery Stud parade
She shared that she’ll be sending a mare to Ole Kirk, Star Turn, and Casino Prince. Kennedy also expressed her admiration for Exceedance, saying, “If I had more mares, I’d send more there. We are going to Ole Kirk, and I have a breeding right in Star Turn, and I’ve had three by All Too Hard over the years. I don’t like him less, but I just need to change this year.
“One of my non-commercial mares is going to Casino Prince. He’s only unpopular because there are so many new ones out there, and he continues to perform. If you waited until this weekend to decide to book, you’d miss all the good ones, so these parades are about starting to plan where to send our eight mares next year. And then we see what the sales ring does to get a final list. I really liked Exceedance.”
Brutal proves popular
It’s been a busy time at Henry Field’s Newgate Farm, which has added three new stallions to its roster: Ozzmosis, Militarize (NZ), and King’s Gambit. Meanwhile, In The Congo, State Of Rest (Ire), and Artorius are already represented by their foals.
On Saturday, the operation’s promising sire Tassort was represented by Ameena, defeated her paternal sister, Manaal, to claim the G2 Silver Shadow S. Tassort is joined by Brutal (NZ) and Cosmic Force, both of whom have also made promising starts to their new careers.
Stay Inside will stand for $55,000 (inc GST) in 2024
Gallery: Some of the stallions on show at the Newgate parade, images courtesy of Newgate
The Newgate roster is headed by the dual Group 1 winner Extreme Choice, standing at a fee of $275,000 (inc GST). Wild Ruler and Stay Inside also had their first weanlings at the sales last season. However, it was Brutal who caught Willis’ eye. “At Newgate, I went to see my absolute favourite, Brutal. We bred to him in his first season, and we’ve stuck by him. We are thrilled to see him getting success with 2-year-olds, which no one saw coming.
“They are all beautiful. I was impressed by Stay Inside. I liked his weanlings at the sales this year, and he’s magnificent. We sent a mare last year to Wild Ruler, and he was excellent, as were his first crop weanlings.”
Commenting on Newgate, Nakhle noted, “Brutal is a beast of a stallion, and I loved Militarize at Newgate from the new crop of sires—he looks like a fast, powerful type of stallion.”
Brigid Kennedy added, “The stallions are great value. I liked In The Congo, and Brutal is just a sensation.”
Unwala also attended Newgate Farm’s parade and shared his thoughts: “King’s Gambit really caught my eye. We probably didn’t see the best of him on the track, but he was exceptionally talented. The Australian breeding industry has taught me something since I came here—you don’t need the elusive Group 1-winning title to be successful.
“If a stallion has untapped potential, a pedigree to boast about, and gets the right support and opportunity from the breeding bench, then they can be successful at stud. King’s Gambit’s own sire, ‘Vinnie,’ is living proof of this, as are horses like Written Tycoon, Commands, Not A Single Doubt, and King’s Gambit’s stablemate, Tassort, who is a rising star on the Newgate roster.”
“On Saturday morning, we headed to Newgate,” Jane Barnham said. “We loved King’s Gambit there. We’re going to him with a couple of horses. Across the board, the Hunter Valley looked great; I couldn’t believe it. It was just so lush and green—I don’t think I’ve been down there when everything’s been in flower.
“I was standing at Newgate Farm, and there was this shower of white flower petals falling in my hair as I was watching the stallions. It was beautiful. It was amazing to see how things have developed at Newgate. It has come together so quickly. There was some rainy weather, but it didn’t really put you off that much.
“The facilities at Newgate are just great; I’m always very impressed with Newgate.”
Chris Barnham added that they are planning to use the fellow Newgate Farm-based Capitalist in addition to King’s Gambit.
Hitotsu has plenty of fans
Arrowfield was next up, headlined by the four-time Champion Sire Snitzel, who recently sired his 146th stakes winner when his promising son, Gatsby’s, took out the Listed The Rosebud a few weeks ago.
Snitzel is joined by Dundeel (NZ) and his son Castelvecchio, whose first 2-year-olds raced last season. Maurice (Jpn) also stands alongside his son, Hitotsu, a triple Group 1 winner who served 162 mares in his debut season last spring.
They are joined by Admire Mars (Jpn), a triple Group 1 winner in Hong Kong and Japan, who will be represented by his first 2-year-olds this spring.
Snitzel will stand for $247,500 (inc GST) in 2024
Gallery: Some of the stallions on show at the Arrowfield parade, images courtesy of Arrowfield
The Autumn Sun had a sensational season, siring three individual Group 1 winners: Autumn Angel in the G1 Australian Oaks, Vibrant Sun in the G1 Australasian Oaks, and Coco Sun in the G1 South Australian Derby. However, the son of the late Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice is sitting out this season as he continues his recovery from a pelvic injury.
“Throughout the Hunter, the stallions are all so good-looking and so well-credentialed,” said Rheinwood Pastoral’s Willis. “It’s a wonderful weekend, and the hospitality across the whole Hunter Valley was extraordinary.
“It’s also good to see everyone before we hibernate for the breeding season. At Arrowfield, I was excited to see Hitotsu. We have a half-sister to Mazu who is in foal to him, and it’s always good to see beautiful old Snitzel.”
Kennedy shared her thoughts with The Thoroughbred Report, expressing disappointment that The Autumn Sun is out for the season but also optimism for Maurice. “Arrowfield has always been a favourite. I’m disappointed that The Autumn Sun is out for the season, but that’s horses for you. Maurice will come back in the market because of the amazing mares he’s getting.
“That one year when he didn’t come has affected the marketplace, but he’s a bit like Dundeel, who had a strong start, then a soft patch, and then came back and is doing well now.”
She also mentioned her support for Castelvecchio in the past and her plans to race a foal by him.
“I have one due, but I’ll race it myself. And Hitotsu—maybe down the track once I’ve seen his foals. I think he’ll go well. I trust Arrowfield to do the right thing by a horse and give them a good start,” Kennedy added, leaving open the possibility of using Hitotsu in the future.
Waller-trained pair impress onlookers, as proven boys strike a chord
Coolmore Stud introduced its G1 Golden Slipper winner Shinzo to a wider audience for the first time since the royally bred son of Snitzel retired earlier this year. He was joined by Home Affairs, who was also trained by Chris Waller.
The dual Group 1 winner made a splash with his first weanlings last season. Wootton Bassett (GB) returned to the Jerrys Plains property and turned plenty of heads, as breeders eagerly await his first Southern Hemisphere-bred juveniles to step out this spring, alongside King’s Legacy, whose first crop is now two, and Yes Yes Yes, who made an encouraging start last season.
Also returning to Coolmore was the exciting St Mark’s Basilica (Fr), while the locally bred Best Of Bordeaux is represented by his first foals. The roster is rounded out by the proven stars Pierro, So You Think (NZ), Starspangledbanner, Pride Of Dubai, and Churchill (Ire).
Nakhle also attended multiple parades, including Coolmore. “I really enjoyed all the parades. The lineup at Coolmore, in particular, was mouth-watering and showcased a great cross-section of types and pedigrees.
“Home Affairs looks like a very live chance, and at the lower end of the fees, I like Acrobat as a candidate to leave some fast, early runners with the right mares.”
He added, “Brave Smash at Yarraman was really attractive to my eye, and I was in awe of Snitzel at Arrowfield and I Am Invincible, also at Yarraman. Overall, all the farms looked spectacular, and the crowds were really privileged to enjoy some fantastic and genuine hospitality over the weekend.
“I came away thinking I don’t have enough mares yet!”
Duncan Ramage of DGR Thoroughbred Services was busy over the weekend and was impressed by the high standard presented across all parades attended. “At the parades I attended—Kia Ora, Newgate, Coolmore, and Widden—the standard of presentation and the oratory was of such a high standard, but one we now come to expect from these parades.
“All the accolades must be given to the people who made the presentations. The hospitality at Kia Ora, Widden, and Coolmore stood out from the pack as always. I was told the festivities at Yarraman were very good, but I was unable to attend Yarraman and Arrowfield.
“It was a highlight to revisit our own So You Think and introduce him to the Ambassador of Ireland, Tim Moore, and the Federal Member for the Hunter Valley, Dan Repacholi.”
Jane Barnham was thrilled by Wootton Bassett, saying, “The grounds at Coolmore looked beautiful, just amazing, but Wootton Bassett—my god, he’s a beautiful horse. We actually have a mare at Coolmore that’s had a Wootton Bassett foal and is pregnant with another. It was good to see him because I hadn’t seen him before.
“We’re in a breeding partnership, and we trusted that they’d make the right decision sending her to Wootton Bassett when we hadn’t seen him, but he didn’t disappoint.”
Chris also shared that he loved Wootton Bassett and St Mark’s Basilica at Coolmore.
Shinzo will stand for $55,000 (inc GST) in 2024
Gallery: Some of the stallions on show at the Coolmore parade, images courtesy of Coolmore
Willis was particularly impressed by Home Affairs. “For me, Home Affairs was the standout. He’s so striking. I’ve seen a few of his foals, and they’re outstanding. And Wootton Bassett, well, if I win the lottery, I’ll be looking for a mare worthy of him. He’s absolutely beautiful,” she added. “All of their stallions were in good order and so well-behaved, given that it was constantly raining. Shinzo is a bull, just lovely.”
Kennedy focused on Coolmore’s proven brigade, saying, “The rain was a bit of a disappointment. I tried to get a mare to Starspangledbanner last year. I’m absolutely in love with Choisir, and apart from Proisir in New Zealand, Starspangledbanner is his best son, but his fertility issues affected us last year. I always love So You Think. Pierro is a stunner. Coolmore really looks after everyone. It’s a joy to go to their parades. James Bester is amazing; I hope he never retires! And Tommy (Magnier) is always very gracious.”
This article was written by Renee Geelan and Keely Mckitterick for TTRAusNZ.
