Cover image courtesy of Swettenham Stud
Adam Sangster - the son of the legendary Robert Sangster - was born into racing and breeding and has been in the game long enough to know that for all the highs, there’s just as many lows.
His father experienced it, and now, so has he.
The owner of Swettenham Stud, Adam Sangster is rejuvenated, and he attributes his new-found zest to one of the five stallions standing at the iconic Nagambie-based property.
That horse is Toronado (Ire) - a son of the brilliant High Chaparral (Ire) and grandson of the incredible Sadler’s Wells (USA). The latter, who was bred by Robert Sangster, is largely considered one of the greatest stallions of all-time, especially of stayers and middle-distance horses in Europe.
Toronado (Ire) | Standing at Swettenham Stud
Due to his stunning looks and sensational pedigree, combined with his highly impressive results, Toronado has captured the attention of breeders the world over, and he has widely, and rightly, been heralded a global star.
“He is the centrepiece for a long game of chess, he is certainly my king,” Sangster told TDN AusNZ.
“He means an enormous amount to Swettenham Stud, all the staff, and the relationship with Al Shaqab.
“He has reignited the flame in my belly.”
“He (Toronado) has reignited the flame in my belly.” - Adam Sangster
Sangster concedes being a studmaster comes with enormous challenges. Patience is required, but not often afforded by stakeholders.
“The stallion game is not an easy game, because you have to support the stallion with broodmares and build them up,” he said.
“Early doors, I sent more than 50 mares to him in his first three seasons… Mariamia and Queen Air are both out of my mares.
“My breeders have supported me and they’ve got some great dividends and they continue to do so.”
A future great?
Formerly trading as Collingrove Stud in New South Wales, the Nagambie operation known as Swettenham Stud was purchased by Robert Sangster and Colin Hayes in 1994, with Adam Sangster buying out the Hayes family post Robert’s passing in 2004.
The business has been home to some great stallions, including Rory’s Jester.
Rory's Jester | Image courtesy of Dynamic Syndications
A winner of the G1 Golden Slipper S. in 1985, Rory’s Jester went on to become one of the country’s finest ever colonial sires, with his Group 1 winners including Isca and Racer’s Edge.
Then there’s Bluebird (USA), Scenic (Ire), Danehill Dancer (Ire), Jeune (GB) and Bianconi (USA); all outstanding stallions in their own right.
Sangster is not prepared to put Toronado alongside that exceptional list, yet, but he does believe Toronado has the attributes to become a champion stallion.
“Rory’s Jester, Scenic, Bluebird… we’ve had some amazing stallions,” said Sangster.
“In recent times, the best is Toronado.
“Rory’s Jester, Scenic, Bluebird… we’ve had some amazing stallions. In recent times, the best is Toronado.” -Adam Sangster
“Physically, he (Toronado) was a stallion who really did capture the commercial market and that has subsequently flowed through into his progeny, they’re very good-looking.
“I feel he’s a stallion that won’t age, looks-wise.
“He’s very imposing and very good-looking. His trainer, Richard Hannon, called him Superman and there’s not many stallions where you can say that.
“He’s got that blend of blood from the Sadler’s Wells sireline… with the American side… there’s a good blend of blood in there that ticks a lot of boxes.”
Toronado is the sire of four Group 1 winners - Masked Crusader, Tribhuvan (Fr), Shelby Sixtysix and Mariamia. He also has 55 stakes wins and 33 stakes winners to his credit. And most of his success is off a low service fee. That has now changed, with Toronado standing last season at $88,000 (inc GST) - the same figure for 2023.
Gallery: Some of Toronado's (Ire) Group 1 winners
“Because he is such a young stallion, he’s got so many years ahead of him, and he has been supported with better mares and that trend will continue,” Sangster explained.
“The last three years, we have mated his progeny to the lines which were really showing through in the pool of Australian broodmares. We recognised what the best lines were for him and there’s enough of those mares out there for him to be a success.
“When we talk to breeders and clients, the particular lines are the ones that we have tried to identify for them so they get the best success in the sale ring or on the racetrack.
“He’s only going to get better because the quality of mares is better.
“He’s (Toronado) only going to get better because the quality of mares is better.” - Adam Sangster
“We’re really looking forward to those ones hitting the track.”
Enhancing Sangster’s belief that what Toronado has achieved so far is only the tip of the iceberg is the fact he will remain in Australia, instead of shuttling to and from his previous base at Haras de Bouquetot in France.
“We certainly won’t overtax him and Al Shaqab understand that it’s best to keep him in one jurisdiction, rather than have him going up to the Northern Hemisphere and risking something happening to him,” Sangster remarked.
“We certainly feel that by him being here permanently he will flourish.”
Sharing the love
A lifetime breeding right in Toronado will be offered at auction for the very first time at next month's Inglis Chairman’s Sale, which takes place at Riverside Stables at Warwick Farm on May 4.
To be offered as Lot 1, Sangster is adamant there will be plenty of interest.
“It’s great, (our partner) Al Shaqab has allowed us to put it up for auction and I’m sure it will be very well sought-after because it’s a unique opportunity; this has never happened with Toronado before,” he said.
“It’s great, (our partner) Al Shaqab has allowed us to put it (a lifetime breeding right) up for auction and I’m sure it will be very well sought-after because it’s a unique opportunity; this has never happened with Toronado before.” - Adam Sangster
“He’s doing the job here in Australia, in Europe and in Hong Kong, and with colts and fillies.
“He’s still only 13, so there’s plenty of good years ahead of him and the best is yet to come.”
