By Richard Edmunds
The Hunter Valley branch of Aquis Farm has had a busy weekend, showcasing its stallion line-up in four parades across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Brave Smash (Jpn), Santos, Divine Prophet, Invader, Jukebox and Spieth (NZ) were paraded at 9:30am and 3pm on Friday, then at 8:30am on Saturday and Sunday.
“We had a great turnout,” said Jimmy Unwala, Aquis Farm’s Head of Nominations. “There were more than 140 people for the first parade in great weather on Friday morning, and then even bigger crowds after that – a lot of people had only arrived in Newcastle at 8 or 9 on Friday morning, so they missed the Friday morning parade.
“We find that spreading the parades out over three days gives everyone the chance to have a really good look at the horses. At bigger parades with huge crowds, it can be hard to have a very good view of them. So we thought this would be a good way to do it.”
Brave Smash new to the roster this year
Multiple Group 1 winner Brave Smash and stakes-winning I Am Invincible stallion Santos are two new additions to Aquis’ Hunter Valley line-up this season. Brave Smash will stand for $22,000, while the service fee for Santos has been set at $16,500.
"They were both very well received,” Unwala said.
“With Brave Smash, I think a lot of people who haven’t seen him up close probably expect him to be in the traditional Japanese mould – quite narrow. But he’s really built like an Australian sprinter, he’s very imposing. I think a lot of people are pleasantly surprised.
"He’s really built like an Australian sprinter, he’s very imposing. I think a lot of people are pleasantly surprised." - Jimmy Unwala
“Santos has always been a crowd favourite, he’s a great-looking horse, and he was very popular again.”
Santos, with breeder Ray Gall who raced I Am Invincible Santos’ sire
Unwala received enthusiastic feedback for the entirety of the stallion line-up.
“At Aquis, physique is probably the most important attribute when it comes to selecting stallions to stand at stud,” he said.
“They don’t necessarily need to be a Group 1 winner, but they need to have the right build and the athleticism. With those attributes, plus preciousness and race performance, I think that’s what the market is really looking for in Australia.
“They don’t necessarily need to be a Group 1 winner, but they need to have the right build and the athleticism. With those attributes, plus preciousness and race performance, I think that’s what the market is really looking for in Australia." - Jimmy Unwala
“When the parade finished and I was among the crowd, talking to people, there wasn’t a single stallion they didn’t like, which was great to hear. But I think a lot of them were particularly impressed by Invader.”
A son of Snitzel, Invader won the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and placed in the G1 Champagne S. He stands for $27,500.
Caulfield Guineas winner Divine Prophet stands for $22,000, multiple stakes-winning Snitzel stallion Jukebox is available for $11,000, and the Group 1-placed sprinter Spieth stands for $16,500.
