Stakes winners and Group 1 performers Lean Mean Machine (Zoustar) and Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) will stand as Aquis’ foundations stallions at its Victorian base at Seymour.
“The fact is that properties like this don’t become available and when they do, even if it fast tracks your plan, you’ve still got to keep moving forward,” Aquis Chief Executive Officer Shane McGrath said.
Successful on debut, the Chris Waller-trained Lean Mean Machine headed straight into black type company, recording two Group 3 placings before defeating stablemate and fellow Zoustar colt Zousain in the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce S., in a time quicker than his own sire achieved when winning the race five years prior.
Watch: Lean Mean Machine win the G2 Run To The Rose
As a 3-year-old, the stunning-looking colt returned with a victory in the G2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill. In winning, Lean Mean Machine joined an illustrious list of previous winners including Pierro, Smart Missile, Denman, Exosphere, Astern and Menari.
Two starts later, the colt formed part of an historic first three finish for his sire when third in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington, with the beaten brigade including the previous season’s highest rated juvenile colt Written By (Written Tycoon).
Expensive yearling now stallion
Siege Of Quebec was a $1.2 million Inglis Easter yearling graduate and was unbeaten as a 2-year-old and ended his initial campaign when runner-up in the Listed ATC Rosebud H.
Later in his career he defeated Group 1 winners Pierata (Pierro) and Music Magnate (Written Tycoon) when successful in the G3 Bill Ritchie H.
Watch: Siege Of Quebec winning the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Siege Of Quebec finished third in the G1 Toorak H. during last year’s Melbourne spring carnival and was subsequently retired off a career best performance when third in the G1 All Aged S., run in record time.
With victory over 18 individual Group 1 winners throughout his career, the highest priced yearling by his champion sire sold in 2016 comes from the immediate family of $7 million plus earner Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) and his G1 Doomben Cup winning half-brother Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock).
Tillett heads up new farm
Lean Mean Machine will stand at $17,600 (inc GST) while Siege Of Quebec’s introductory fee will be $13,200 (inc GST) and will be residents at the newly-acquired 500 acre property at Seymour.
“It’s centrally located and easily accessible for future stallion arrangements,” McGrath said. “We’re building a platform for Aquis’ development and key to that was establishing a base in Victoria.
“To do that you need the right location, which we have and someone to drive that area of business and we have that in Murray Tillett. They are two of the foundation blocks for the expansion.
“We’re building a platform for Aquis’ development and key to that was establishing a base in Victoria.” – Shane McGrath.
“We want to reassure our Victorian clients, that our two new stallions for 2019 represent our long term commitment to the Victorian market.”
Aquis' Shane McGrath and Tony Fung
General Manager – Victoria Operations Tillett possesses extensive industry knowledge and will act as the direct link between the local Victorian breeders and Aquis operations nationally, further strengthening the operation’s commitment to client services and relationship building.
Tillett has previously worked for Magic Millions and Woodside Park Stud after gaining a Bachelor of Business Degree from Western Australia’s Curtin University.
After serving as the Magic Millions Perth Manager for several years, Tillett moved to Victoria’s Woodside Park Stud where he took on the role of General Manager and oversaw the early careers of Written Tycoon and Zoustar.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for me and another massive vote of confidence in the future of the Victorian breeding industry,” he said.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for me and another massive vote of confidence in the future of the Victorian breeding industry.” – Murray Tillett.
“Aquis is a dynamic organisation who is building a very strong reputation. They are driven by success and I’m delighted to be a part of growing their operation.”
Aquis' new General Manager - Victorian Operations, Murray Tillett
Support for the Victorian industry
With successful farms already in both New South Wales and Queensland, the establishment of Aquis Victoria will provide its clients with greater opportunities within the local market.
“As the Victorian market has shown, the strength of their mare quality has helped to launch the careers of outstanding stallions including Encosta De Lago, Domesday, Flying Spur, Written Tycoon and Zoustar,” McGrath said.
“We are unabashed fans of the support the industry receives from the government and also from a prize-money perspective.” – Shane McGrath.
“Aquis is excited to work with local breeders to not only launch and develop Victorian-based stallions. We are unabashed fans of the support the industry receives from the government and also from a prize-money perspective.
“The outstanding Super Vobis Scheme acts as a blueprint for breeders’ schemes worldwide and Aquis is looking forward to further playing our part in the lucrative breeders’ scheme.
“The expansion in to Victoria strengthens one of Aquis’ fundamental aims of providing an outstanding level of customer service to our clients.
“Our original investment in Queensland has seen Aquis’ commitment within the Australian industry continue to flourish, and with the Fung family appointing Murray Tillett to manage the property, it is a further reassurance on our overall future vision.
Siege Of Quebec winning the G3 Bill Ritchie H.
“I spent 10 years in Victoria myself and had great personal and business relationships down there,” McGrath said.
“I spent 10 years in Victoria myself and had great personal and business relationships down there.” - Shane McGrath.
“From my time there I know Victorian breeders and the wider industry are always keen to embrace new organisations.
“With the government support and industry support I have every confidence this will be a great move for Aquis.”
Aquis has come a long way in a short time and was originally established at Canungra in Queensland in 2015. The former Wadham Park racing complex was amalgamated with three surrounding properties to create a racing and breeding operation covering 447 acres.
In 2017, it took over the management of the historic Emirates Park property which encompasses 151 acres in Murrurundi, New South Wales and currently has 13 stallions spread across the two properties.
