Cover image courtesy of Sharon Chapman
Written by Bren O'Brien
Armidale Stud has confirmed star stallion Needs Further will return to its Tasmanian base in 2021, in a significant boost for the breeding industry in the island state.
The son of Encosta De Lago served at Aquis Farm in Victoria in 2020, but the relocation of that operation has seen Needs Further return 'home' to Armidale Stud at Carrick in northern Tasmania, where he spent his first seven seasons.
He will stand alongside Alpine Eagle and Tough Speed (USA) in 2021 at a fee of $8800 (inc GST).
"The demand for Needs Further remains high and we want to ensure we're providing Tasmanian and mainland breeders with easier access to him," Armidale Stud Managing Director, David Whishaw, said.
David and Rhiannon Whishaw with daughter Isabella | Image courtesy of Sharon Chapman
"We're a passionate, family-run stud and pour our heart and soul into everything we do here at Armidale. The horses and stallions become part of the family so it's great to have our boy back with us in Tasmania."
"We're a passionate, family-run stud and pour our heart and soul into everything we do here at Armidale. The horses and stallions become part of the family so it's great to have our boy (Needs Further) back with us in Tasmania." - David Whishaw
Needs Further rode a wave of success through the deeds of his star daughter Mystic Journey, a winner of the G1 Australian Guineas and The All-Star Mile as well as six other stakes races. The Adam Trinder-trained mare, a winner of nearly $4 million, cost just $11,000 as a yearling from the 2017 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
But he has also produced an array of stakes-winning horses from his Armidale Stud base, including Deroche, Bold Star, Mystical Pursuit and Pateena Arena.
He has had 71 winners in total from 148 runners, with the 2020/21 season set to be his most successful in terms of volume of winners, with 28 already from 83 runners.
"It's very pleasing to see him consistently producing winners across Australia. Victorian-metropolitan winners All Of Brighton and Raise 'Em Up, plus five-time current season metro winner Supalopo are just a few of his recent winners that shouldn't be taken lightly," Whishaw said.
His success has also led to strong results through the yearling sales, with his seasonal average peaking at $35,730 in 2020, while his top price for a yearling overall is $90,000.
From the phenomenally successful Encosta De Lago sireline, Needs Further won a G3 Carbine Club S. on the track and is a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner and Group 1-producing stallion Hallowed Crown, who currently stands at Twin Hills Stud.
Their dam, Crowned Glory (Danehill {USA}), was a Group 3 winner and G1 Golden Slipper S. placegetter, who herself is out of a half-sister to the legendary Cambridge Stud stallion Zabeel (NZ).
Eagle lands off big book
Alpine Eagle set a new record for the most amount of mares served by a stallion in Tasmania of 138 in 2020 and stays at his fee of $6050 (inc GST).
The popularity came off the back of the reception his progeny got at the yearling sales in 2020, where they averaged $45,519, including a top price of $180,000.
The demand for his progeny has continued in 2021, where he has averaged an impressive $50,490 across 31 sales, or nearly seven times his introductory service fee.
Among those to have purchased yearlings by Alpine Eagle to date are John Foote, Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock, McEvoy Mitchell Racing, Jeremey Rogers on behalf of Roll The Dice Racing, Suman Hedge, Will Clarken and Swettenham Stud.
Lot 68 - Alpine Eagle x Testamarriage (colt) sold for $110,000 to John Foote Bloodstock this year
Being a son of High Chapparal (Ire), the Group 2-winning stallion's progeny are expected to hit their straps in their 3-year-old seasons.
He has only had the two starters, but the signs point towards a breakout next 12 months for his first crop.
"He consistently leaves attractive, correct types and breeders have been thoroughly impressed with the quality he stamps throughout his stock. Like him, they're athletic, have great temperaments and most have inherited his rich, dark colour which adds extra appeal," Whishaw said.
"He (Alpine Eagle) consistently leaves attractive, correct types and breeders have been thoroughly impressed with the quality he stamps throughout his stock." - David Whishaw
"So You Think, Dundeel and Contributer didn't sire a Group 1 winner until their oldest crop were 3-year-olds. The High Chaparral sireline tends to leave Classic types and going off the feedback from trainers, Alpine Eagle's progeny are expected to come into their own during their 3-year-old season.
"As a Studmaster, it's great to see trainers taking their time with a stallion's progeny. On pedigree and type, they were always expected to be better at three but it's encouraging to see that many of his 2-year-olds have been given educational trials and runs ahead of their Classic season."
Among his 2-year-old trial winners are Alpine Blast, Dawn Eagle and Queenborough Flyer while the Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock-trained filly out of Must Be Mink (Musket), who was a $95,000 Sale topper at the 2020 Tasmanian Yearling Sale, impressed with a comfortable jump-out win at Cranbourne earlier this week.
The third stallion on the Armidale Stud roster is the veteran Tough Speed, who will stand his 18th season in Australia at $2750 (inc GST).
He has had 11 winners in the current racing season, including the G3 Launceston Cup placegetter White Hawk and Listed Newmarket H. placegetter Street Tough.
"Tough Speed has been a phenomenal stallion and as his namesake suggests, he is renowned for producing tough, durable horses that win time and time again," Whishaw said.
Having had only one start as a 2-year-old himself, he has only had the two starters, but the signs point towards a breakout next 12 months for his first crop.
Tough Speed (USA) | Standing at Armidale Stud
