The arrivals and departures: what’s changed in the Victorian stallion scene this season?

This article first appeared in The Thoroughbred Report Australia and New Zealand on July 3 2024.

The arrivals and departures: what’s changed in the Victorian stallion scene this season?

In Part 2, The Thoroughbred Report recaps the stallions new to Victoria, those who are absent, and those who have received significant fee increases.
In Wednesday’s edition of The Thoroughbred Report, TTR AusNZ recaps the new stallions to Victoria, those who have moved on, and those with significant fee increases.

Adam Sangster’s Swettenham Stud continued its investment and commitment to the Victorian-breeding industry growing its roster to six stallions and introducing the blue-blooded Lofty Strike!

Swettenham Strikes

In May, Swettenham Stud announced the acquisition of the talented Lofty Strike to stand on its roster. The striking son of Snitzel will stand at a debut fee of $22,000 (inc GST). His sire, Snitzel, is a four-time Champion Sire and needs no introduction.

Lofty Strike also boasts a strong dam side. His dam, Overreach, a daughter of Exceed And Excel, was crowned the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in Australia, winning the G1 Golden Slipper, the G2 Reisling S., and the G2 Widden S. Additionally, she is a three-quarter-sister to the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner, Reward For Effort.

Lofty Strike also brings performance to the table. He succeeded on debut at Flemington and followed up with a win in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings), elevating him to favouritism in the G1 Blue Diamond. However, Lofty Strike was controversially scratched on race morning. Returning as an older horse, Lofty Strike won the G2 Rubiton S. and was placed in the G1 Newmarket H., the G1 Oakleigh Plate, and was fourth in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and G1 Goodwood H.

Toronado: King of Swettenham

Heading the Swettenham roster is the sensational Toronado (Ire), who remains at $88,000 (inc GST). Toronado added two Group 1 winners to his CV this season, with Bois D’Argent (GB) winning the G1 Doomben Cup and Victor The Winner saluting in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup in Hong Kong, underlining his versatility.

Toronado and Lofty Strike are joined by the exciting Wooded (Ire), a Group 1-winning son of Wootton Bassett (GB), whose progeny are weanlings. Wooded stands at $22,000 (inc GST). I Am Immortal, a stakes-winning 2-year-old by Champion Sire I Am Invincible, has shown promise with a handful of his first runners this season, and remains at $13,750 (inc GST).

Rounding out the roster is the Group 1-producing sire Rubick, who has also produced a winner of The Everest at $27,500 (inc GST). Puissance De Lune (Ire), sire of the Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Moonlight Maid and over 100 winners, is available for $8800 (inc GST).

Darley introduces two new stallions

Darley, Victoria, has introduced two new stallions to its roster for the 2024/25 season. As customary with Darley, Cylinder and Golden Mile are both quality individuals who have excelled on the racetrack as Group 1 winners.

Cylinder, a son of Exceed And Excel, fittingly emulated his sire by winning the G1 Newmarket H. the same week his Champion father was retired from stud duties. Cylinder also claimed victories in the G2 Todman S., the G2 Run to the Rose S., the G2 Silver Slipper S., and the G3 Vain S. Showing his class, he was also placed in the G1 Golden Slipper, the G1 Golden Rose, and the Listed Merson Cooper S.

Cylinder is from the beautifully related Circular (Street Cry {Ire}), a Group 3 winner, and also the dam of the Group 3 winner Parisal (Astern). She hails from the family of the late Champion Lonhro and the recent Group 2-winning filly Autumn Ballet (The Autumn Sun). The son of Exceed And Excel stands for a debut fee of $44,000 (inc GST).

Joining Cylinder on the Northwood Park roster is Golden Mile, a striking son of Astern. Standing for an introductory fee of $16,500 (inc GST), Golden Mile won the G1 Caulfield Guineas, the G2 Callander-Presnell S., the G2 Theo Marks S., and the G3 Ming Dynasty H. Additionally, he was placed in the G1 Epsom H. and the Golden Eagle, while finishing fourth in the G1 George Ryder S., the G1 Golden Rose, and the G1 Canterbury S.

Golden Mile is from the Lonhro mare Calaverite, who won the Listed Gimcrack S., the Listed St Albans S., and was placed in Group 3 company.

Street Boss returns

Street Boss (USA), the sire of Godolphin’s Champion Anamoe, has been welcomed back to Northwood Park for another season. Street Boss heads the roster at $66,000 (inc GST). He is followed by Blue Point (Ire) at $44,000 (inc GST), whose first runners will turn three in August.

In Europe, Blue Point has been represented by Rosallion (Ire), who added the G1 St James’s Palace S. at Royal Ascot to his earlier success in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

The handsome Paulele will serve his second book at a fee of $13,750 (inc GST). Brazen Beau, who tasted Group 1 success with his brilliant daughter Zapateo, is priced at $33,000 (inc GST). The World Champion son of Dubawi (Ire), Ghaiyyath (Ire), has also returned at a fee of $27,500 (inc GST).

Group 1-producing sire Kermadec (NZ) rounds out the Darley, Northwood Park roster at a fee of $16,500 (inc GST). He was represented by the exciting Scarlet Oak, victress of the G2 Doomben Roses in Queensland this season.

King heads to Widden

Widden Stud, Victoria, has introduced a ninth stallion to its roster for the spring, welcoming the Group 1-winning 2-year-old King Colorado, a son of Juddmonte Farms’ champion Kingman (GB).

King Colorado will stand for an introductory fee of $16,500 (inc GST). He is out of the More Than Ready (USA) mare More Aspen (USA), who won the Listed Singspiel S. at Meydan in Dubai and was placed in the G2 Cape Verdi S.

The colt’s third dam, Northern Aspen (USA), a daughter of Northern Dancer (Can), won five races across three countries. Her victories included the G1 Gamely H. and the G2 Prix d’Astarte S. She was also placed in the G1 Santa Ana H. and the G1 Santa Barbara H. Furthermore, King Colorado comes from the family of the exceptional Dubai Millennium (GB), who sired the champion sire Dubawi (Ire).

New and proven producers

There were no significant changes to the Widden, Victoria roster. The upcoming season will see the first runners from Russian Camelot (Ire), whose first yearlings fetched up to $250,000 at this year’s yearling sales. The G1 South Australian Derby and G1 Makybe Diva S. winner is priced at $19,800 (inc GST) this season.

Dirty Work, a son of Written Tycoon, stands at a fee of $13,200 (inc GST) and will also have his first runners in the new season. The same goes for Doubtland, a $1.1 million yearling by Not A Single Doubt, priced at $13,200 (inc GST).

Bruckner, a good-looking son of Snitzel, served 98 mares in his debut season and will stand for $11,000 (inc GST). They are joined by proven options: Nicconi at $16,500 (inc GST), Star Witness at $8800 (inc GST), the Group 1-producing sire Gold Standard at $8800 (inc GST), and Overshare, who sired this season’s Group 1 winner Lady Laguna, available for $5500 (inc GST).

Global campaigner to Woodside

The Champion Benbatl (GB) will shuttle to Victoria’s Woodside Park Stud this spring. The son of Dubawi (Ire) is familiar to Australian audiences, having won the G1 Caulfield S. and placed in the G1 Cox Plate.

Campaigned by Godolphin, Benbatl showcased his toughness by competing in several countries. He won 11 races, including the G1 Dubai Turf, the G1 München Bayerisches Zuchtrennen, and the G2 Joel S. at Newmarket twice.

Benbatl is standing his debut season for $22,000 (inc GST). He is out of the Selkirk (USA) mare Nahrain (GB), who was crowned the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Great Britain, winning the G1 Flower Bowl and the G1 Prix de l’Opera. Nahrain was also placed in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare and the G2 Blandford S. She is also the dam of Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who won this year’s G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The son of Dubawi heads a roster of six stallions. Benbatl is followed by Shalaa (Ire) at $19,800 (inc GST), Rich Enuff at $13,200 (inc GST), the G1 Golden Slipper winner Vancouver at $9900 (inc GST), Foxwedge also standing for $9900 (inc GST), and Delaware (GB), a son of Frankel (GB), at $7700 (inc GST).

Maluka Thoroughbreds to stand General Beau

Luke and Mags Anderson will stand General Beau under their Maluka Thoroughbreds banner at Breeders’ Farm for an introductory fee of $8800 (inc GST). General Beau, bred by David Moodie’s Contract Racing alongside N and G Psalti, won five races, including the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings), the Listed Always Welcome S., and the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings).

The son of Brazen Beau was placed in the G1 William Reid S., the G2 Danehill S., the G2 Tobin Bronze S., and the G3 Vain S. General Beau is out of the Lonhro mare Phosphorescence, who is the daughter of the dual Group 3 winner Nediym’s Glow (General Nediym).

Alabama Express and Pierata off to a hot start as Panthalassa joins

Yulong seems to have struck gold with their first-season sires Alabama Express and Pierata. Alabama Express, a Group 1-winning son of Redoute’s Choice, has sired 11 individual winners and six stakes performers.

His progeny include the Listed Champagne S. winner Discretion Rules, the Group 2-placed Shangri La Express, and Alabama Lass. They are joined by the Group 3-placed Karavas and Poster Girl, as well as the Listed-placed Express Yo’self. Alabama Express’s success with his first runners has seen his fee rise from $22,000 (inc GST) to $55,000 (inc GST).

Pierata, a Group 1-winning son of Pierro, has also made a sensational start with his first runners. Since his retirement, Pierata has stood for $44,000 (inc GST), but this season his fee has increased to $66,000 (inc GST).

He is responsible for eight winners and five stakes performers, including his son Coleman, who won the G3 Chairman’s S. and the Listed Debutant S., and was also placed in the G1 Golden Slipper and G1 Sires’ Produce S. Another highlight, Tobeornottobe, won the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders S. and placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies).

Fearless has shown talent with placed efforts in the G1 Champagne S. and the G3 Canonbury S. Red Sea finished second in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S., and Wave Breaker was third in the G3 Widden Stud.

New to Yulong this spring is the Japanese-bred Panthalassa (Jpn), standing at a fee of $16,500 (inc GST). A son of the Japanese sensation Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), Panthalassa won seven races across three countries, including the G1 Saudi Cup, the G1 Dubai Turf, and the G1 Nakayama Kinen.

Tycoon private again

Champion Sire Written Tycoon sired his second G1 Golden Slipper winner this season with his brilliant daughter Lady Of Camelot. In total, Written Tycoon has sired 20 individual 2-year-old winners.

Joining Lady Of Camelot is the sensational Velocious in New Zealand, winner of the G1 Sistema S. and the Listed Karaka 2YO Million. Additionally, the G2 Challenge S. winner Captured By Love and the Yulong-raced Althoff, who won the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic, have further highlighted his success. Written Tycoon remains at a private fee.

Rosemont welcomes Doull

One of Victoria’s leading nurseries, Rosemont Stud, has welcomed the Group 2-winning son of Snitzel, Doull, to its line-up. Doull, a magnificent specimen, will stand his debut season at a fee of $11,000 (inc GST).

A $1.2 million yearling, Doull is out of the Listed-winning 2-year-old Bulbula, a daughter of Shamardal (USA) and a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Khulaasa (Epaulette). Doull won the G2 Caulfield Sprint and was fourth in the G2 Danehill S.

Heading Rosemont’s 2024 roster is the Group 1-producing sire Shamus Award, a Cox Plate-winning son of Snitzel, standing at $38,500 (inc GST). Bringing plenty of excitement, the new season will herald the first runners of the blazingly fast Hanseatic, a son of Street Boss (USA), priced at $16,500 (inc GST).

Cup winner to rebranded Lovattsville

Leneva Park Stud has been rebranded as Lovattsville and has instantly made an impact by adding two new stallions to its roster. This includes this season’s G1 Blue Diamond S.-producing sire Royal Meeting (Ire) at $22,000 (inc GST) and the triple Group 1 winner Fierce Impact (Jpn) standing for $13,750 (inc GST).

Lovattsville will be the home of the G1 Melbourne Cup victor Gold Trip (Fr). The imposing son of Outstrip (GB) was truly top-class. In addition to winning Australia’s most iconic race, Gold Trip won the G1 Turnbull S., beating Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), and was fourth in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Gold Trip will be standing his debut season at $8,800 (inc GST).

Joining Gold Trip is his former stablemate, Generation, at $11,000 (inc GST). A son of Snitzel, Generation was a $575,000 yearling and is from the brilliant 2-year-old Fontiton (Turffontein). Generation won the G3 Red Anchor S. and the G3 Manfred S., was twice placed in the G2 Caulfield Sprint, and finished fourth in both the G1 Moir S. and the G1 William Reid S.

Impending moves to Larneuk as Sion debuts

Neville Murdoch’s Larneuk Stud has added two new stallions to its roster: Impending and Lauda Sion (Jpn). Impending, a beautifully bred and performed son of Lonhro, has relocated from Darley, Victoria to Larneuk Stud for the 2024 season. Impending has sired 76 individual winners this season, including seven stakes performers.

Leading his progeny is his talented daughter Impendabelle, whose best efforts include winning the G2 Soliloquy S. and placing in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and the G1 Levin Classic. She is joined by the Listed-placed Stormchaser and the Group 3-placed Running By. Impending will stand at a fee of $6600 (inc GST).

New to stallion duties is Lauda Sion (Jpn), who is priced at $11,000 (inc GST) for his debut season. Lauda Sion is a son of Real Impact (Jpn) and has won from 1200 to 1600 metres, including victories in the G1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo and the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup. Lauda Sion competed with distinction in one of the toughest jurisdictions in the world.

The Larneuk Stud roster is rounded out by the proven Wandjina at $6,600 (inc GST) and Wolf Cry at $3,300 (inc GST).

Bombora Downs expands roster

The Mornington Peninsula-based Bombora Downs will stand the Snitzel stallion Ka Ying Master for $5500 (inc GST) for his second season. Ka Ying Master was a NZ$525,000 purchase and won seven races in Hong Kong.

Bombora Downs will also stand the relocated Cliff’s Edge for $3300 (inc GST) and Soul Patch at $6600 (inc GST). They join the beautifully bred Dandino (GB) at $5500 (inc GST) and Cape Of Good Hope (Ire) at $8250 (inc GST).

Additionally, Bombora Downs stands the underrated and royally bred De Gaulle at $5500 (inc GST).