Fathers, sons & grandsons star in Arrowfield's parade

The 2021 Arrowfield Virtual Stallion Parade, which can be viewed below, is woven around fathers, sons and grandsons, both human and equine.

In his introduction to the Parade, Arrowfield’s Founder and Chairman John Messara acknowledges the stud’s past success as a maker of Champion stallions, but his eyes remain firmly fixed on the future. As he tells his grandson John Jnr, “The job’s not done yet, son.”

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2021 Arrowfield Virtual Stallion Parade

In his introduction to the Parade, Arrowfield’s Founder and Chairman John Messara acknowledges the stud’s past success as a maker of Champion stallions, but his eyes remain firmly fixed on the future. As he tells his grandson John Jnr, “The job’s not done yet, son.”

Indeed it isn’t. Headed by the great Redoute’s Choice’s best sire son Snitzel and sensational Group 1 sire Dundeel (NZ), Arrowfield’s roster is young, with five stallions yet to have runners, Redoute’s Choice sons The Autumn Sun and Pariah. Snitzel’s son Showtime, Dundeel’s son Castelvecchio and newcomer Admire Mars (Jpn), a triple Group 1 winner and Japan’s Champion 2-Year-Old colt of 2018.

Breeders are delighted with the first yearlings by five-time Group 1 winner and Champion 3-Year-Old colt The Autumn Sun, the horse John Messara dreamed of producing when he established a breeding partnership with HH The Aga Khan 13 years ago.

Pariah’s first 2-year-olds run this season, after averaging more than five times his fee at major 2021 sales, with a top price of $375,000 paid by James Harron for the Real Stolle (Elusive Quality {USA}) colt. Trainers preparing the first Pariah's include Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Peter and Paul Snowden, Richard and Michael Freedman, Ben and JD Hayes, Annabel Neasham and Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

Showtime raced with distinction in top company over three seasons and has the pedigree, the looks and the backing to follow the example of Snitzel’s leading sire son Shamus Award. Showtime’s first progeny are yearlings.

A Group 1 winner at two and three, Castelvecchio‘s first book numbered 142, and the mares foaling to him this season include Arrowfield’s queen, Champion 2-Year-Old and Group 1 producer Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice).

Emerging sires Maurice (Jpn) and Shalaa (Ire) both made impressive starts with their first-crop 2-year-olds last season.

Shalaa’s seven winners included Shaquero, whose victories in the G3 Breeders’ Plate, the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the G3 Pago Pago S. ranked him among the best Australian juveniles of 2020/21.

Maurice was represented in Australia by eight winners and six stakes performers including Group-placed Invinsible Tears, Port Louis and Mazu. In Japan, Maurice’s fee has already doubled and he leads the 2021 Second Sires’ list.

Japanese freshman Admire Mars, by leading sire Daiwa Major (Jpn), is a valuable addition to the roster, as a Champion 2-Year-Old colt, and the only 3-Year-Old winner of the Hong Kong Mile in its 21-year Group 1 history. Like The Autumn Sun and Castelvecchio, as well as Arrowfield’s Champion Sires Redoute’s Choice and Flying Spur, he belongs to the elite group of stallions that have won Group 1 races at two and three.

As Arrowfield General Manager Paul Messara, son of John and father of John Jnr says, “Arrowfield’s history now spans four generations of the Danehill sire-line, and our current roster includes two fathers and sons. It’s special to see that continuity matching the Messara family’s commitment to Arrowfield.”

Paul adds, “Of course, we miss being able to host everyone on the farm at our stallion open house, but our in-house team, including my sister Susanne Gray, has created a virtual equivalent that I’m sure will help breeders to finalise their 2021 bookings.”

The 2021 Arrowfield stallion roster & fees are:

All fees include GST. *Live Foal Terms