Oaklands looks to add Ex-factor

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

It was confirmed last week that Exosphere, a G1 Golden Rose winner, will stand at the Umbrian-based Oaklands Stud for a service fee of $4950 (inc GST).

He had stood his first five seasons at Darley with Group 2 winner Thermosphere and recent G3 Hawkesbury Guineas winner Exoboom among his 33 winners.

While he stood his final season at Darley at $16,500 (inc GST) in 2021, he will be at a price Stewart believes will prove a huge boost for Queensland breeders.

“We took into consideration the status of the Queensland sector and wanted to offer Exosphere at a price that we believe offers great value to the breeders in Queensland and is very affordable,” Stewart told TDN AusNZ.

“I’ve had people ask me ‘why price him so cheap’, well we can afford to, as owning the horse outright means I don’t have to satisfy any shareholders or pay any dividends.

“And also, we wanted to do the right thing by all the breeders in Queensland, in offering a service fee that when they go to the yearling sales, they won’t be struggling to get their service fee back. They know that they will get their service fee back in multiples and make a good profit by joining with Exosphere.”

Stewart outlined a multitude of reasons as to why breeders should consider sending their broodmares to Exosphere this season, saying that his own ability on the track combined with an enriched pedigree provides the perfect recipe for successful progeny.

“He is one of the best-performed, if not the best-performed, son of Lonhro standing at stud in Australia and horses who set records on the track normally perform well at stud,” Stewart said.

“He has Marscay (Biscay) blood which Iglesia the sire of Written Tycoon who I stood also had, and that attracted us to him. He is definitely the right horse for the Queensland market as he will put speed into his progeny and match well with Danehill-line mares.

“So, if you have mares with Star Kingdom blood, which I know are plentiful in Queensland you have only one stallion to breed to in Queensland and that is Exosphere.”

Exosphere’s barnmate Power (GB) rises from $11,000 (inc GST) to $13,200 (inc GST) off the back of his progeny landing four New Zealand stakes victories and proving a profitable commodity in the sales ring.

Previously standing at New Zealand’s internationally renowned Cambridge Stud, Power was added to Oaklands' roster in 2018, a decision that Stewart feels is already validated.

“Of all the stallions I’ve had over 40 years he is the best that I’ve had in terms of throwing a type. His progeny are very similar to him, they have very good leg and are very athletic and handsome,” Stewart said.

“And that was recognised by the buyers during the yearling sales, as his progeny went to good traders for good prices up to $85,000. So, that warranted our decision to slightly increase his fee.”

Stewart declared interest in Power to be sky-high ahead of the upcoming breeding season, saying that 57 bookings had been confirmed for the versatile stallion in the first day of fee announcements.

“He’s very versatile across the board which makes him a desired proposition, Cape Cross, Zabeel and Reset mares work well with him and he also crosses extremely well with Danehill blood, as he is by Oasis Dream which gives his progeny a big burst of speed,” Stewart said.

Stewart holds high hopes for his two-pronged attack in 2021 and beyond.

“The highly promising young sires provide breeders with the opportunity to breed racehorses that will be up and running as early 2-year-old types, whilst also running on successfully into their and three and 4-year-old seasons and beyond,” Stewart said.

“Our stallions have a terrific blend of pure power, speed and athleticism, and we believe both stallions are particularly well-suited to the Australian and specifically the Queensland breeding landscape.”