Bert Vieira, who also bred and raced the Champion 3-Year-Old turned Widden Stud resident, is stumping up $2 million of his own money in a huge and unprecedented show of support for his stallion.
TDN AusNZ caught up with Vieira, for whom there is an emotional story behind the announcement.
Vieira’s wife, Gai, is still recovering from a critical injury sustained in a car crash whilst Trapeze Artist was still racing, and the Sydney businessman believes there was something fateful about the horse’s part to play in their lives.
“That horse… got me through. We love to watch our racing together on the television, racing has helped me through it,” Vieira said. “Without Trapeze Artist, I couldn’t do it.”
Bert Vieira, Antony Thompson, Gerald Ryan and Tye Angland | Image courtesy of Inglis
Vieira offered Trapeze Artist at the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale but the Snitzel colt failed to reach his reserve. Undeterred, he took him home and raced him. Four Group 1s later, he had a stallion prospect on his hands.
“I tried to sell him, but they didn’t want to buy him, so I brought him home. He won four Group 1s for me. I tried to sell him for $40 million and they didn’t want to buy him, so I brought him home. He’s not meant to be sold. I realised that he’s there to give me a hand.”
Trapeze Artist | Standing at Widden
Behind the bonus
With his first crop of rising 2-year-olds having been placed with some of Australia’s leading trainers, including Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Vieira is confident in his stallion’s future at stud.
“I believe he’s going to be an amazing stallion,” he said. “I didn’t need to put up half a million dollars to convince myself of that, but I wanted to share my good fortune with the people… who pay for him.”
“I believe he’s going to be an amazing stallion,” I didn’t need to put up half a million dollars to convince myself of that, but I wanted to share my good fortune with the people… who pay for him.” - Bert Vieira
“The people that buy for BOBS bonus, they’re fantastic. But I’m going to give them Bert’s Bonus,” Vieira joked.
He said that the announcement bought about a near-immediate increase in interest at Widden Stud, with a flurry of nominations booked in response. Not only that, but it has sparked excitement amongst friends of his who are also fellow owners.
“When I told them what I was doing, they all got so excited,” reported Vieira. “My friends are all competing, saying: ‘Mine’s going to be the first winner.’”
A stallion with every chance
Matt Comerford of Widden Stud sees the stallion up close every day and is delighted to help facilitate the bonus for Vieira.
Matt Comerford and son, Reuben
“Bert had some conversations with a few trainers and breakers and was hearing positive things,” Comerford told TDN AusNZ. “He’s upbeat about the horse and he wants to give back to the owners.
“We’re as excited as he is about the prospects of the horses going forward and the reports we’re hearing are very positive as well.”
Trapeze Artist, although not particularly early, was still a very good 2-year-old, winning the G3 Black Opal S. and placing third in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. However, the early signs are that his progeny may well beat their sire in making it to the track before Christmas.
“We’re hearing that… they’re smart, intelligent horses that are able to handle the pressures of being in training at an early stage,” reported Comerford. “I think that gives us a lot of confidence going forward that we will see them (before Christmas).”
“We’re hearing that… they’re (Trapeze Artist's progeny) smart, intelligent horses that are able to handle the pressures of being in training at an early stage." - Matt Comerford
“They work, they sleep, they do it all again – and that’s very much the nature of Trapeze Artist.”
On the bonus, Comerford finds it particularly commendable that Vieira is taking it upon himself to show such support to owners.
“It’s all good and well doing it from a syndicate point of view or being a huge conglomerate of owners or auction houses, but this is his money, 100 per cent,” he said, adding: “It’s pretty brave and courageous, it shows the real passion for the game that he’s got.
“Trapeze Artist is more than just a horse to him, it’s his everything.”
