Cover image courtesy of Eureka Stud
The Darling Downs property will retain a roster of two stallions for the 2023 breeding season, headed by the homebred Spirit Of Boom, Eureka Stud will also stand the blue-blooded Encryption, who will remain at last season’s fee of $13,200 (inc GST).
The dual Group 1 winner Spirit Of Boom has again delivered another strong season on the track, with De Sonic Boom claiming the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) and Malaboom claiming the Listed Calaway Gal S. highlighting his effectiveness as a source of precocity.
Spirit Of Boom has also enjoyed strong results from his older progeny, such as the 4-year-old Prince Of Boom, who has claimed the Listed Ascot H. and was placed in the G2 Victory S. at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The son of Sequalo is currently achieving over 70 per cent of winners to runners.
Spirit Of Boom will stand for $38,500 (inc GST) in 2023 | Standing at Eureka Stud
Spirit Of Boom covered a strong book of 182 mares last season; amongst them was Cristobal (Exceed And Excel) dam of the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) winner Exploring (Brazen Beau), and Iridescente (Commands), who is a stakes producer.
The Listed Calaway Gal S. winner Sweet Dolly (Real Saga), who won four of her five starts, has also visited the Eureka Stud-based stallion in her first season.
Spirit Of Boom’s book also included the Group and stakes winners - Kulgrinda (Exceed And Excel) and Tukiyo (Haradasun).
Harry McAlpine | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Harry McAlpine, head of nominations and bloodstock at Eureka Stud, told TDN AusNZ: “We could have increased Spirit Of Boom’s fee last year, but chose to remain at the $33,000 he stood for in 2021.
“His results have continued on and off the track. He’s obviously getting plenty of winners, and they are selling well, I believe up 20 per cent, so we felt he was well entitled to a fee increase”.
“His (Spirit Of Boom's) results have continued on and off the track. He’s obviously getting plenty of winners, and they are selling well, I believe up 20 per cent, so we felt he was well entitled to a fee increase.” - Harry McAlpine
Spirit Of Boom’s progeny have averaged $138,795 for this year’s yearling sales and, at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Eureka Stud consigned and sold the sire’s top-priced filly from the Excites mare Madame Fly for $475,000 to Yes Bloodstock, and Spirit Of Boom’s top-priced colt from the Sebring mare Notonyourlife for $330,000 to China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing.
“At $38,500 and being a proven stallion, we felt he’s still excellent value for breeders.
“Spirit Of Boom covered a full book of 182 mares last season, on top of covering a strong book of 178 in 2021, he has plenty of ammunition coming through, and the momentum looks to keep building.
“Spirit Of Boom covered a full book of 182 mares last season, on top of covering a strong book of 178 in 2021, he has plenty of ammunition coming through.” - Harry McAlpine
“Pleasingly Spirit Of Boom’s interstate support has remained strong throughout his career, and that’s a testament to his outstanding track and sales results across the country. We are very keen to keep that support.
“He’s a very fertile horse, and we hope to achieve a similar number of mares as last season (182).”
Blueblood remains in Queensland
Joining Spirit Of Boom is the royally bred Encryption, who is standing his fifth season at an unchanged fee of $13,200 (inc GST).
“We stand Encryption in conjunction with Darley, and we evaluate each year where he will stand, so we are thrilled to be offering him to Queenslanders again.”
The son of the recently pensioned Darley stallion Lonhro has had his first crop of 2-year-olds hit the track this season. Among them is the Rex Lipp-trained Cifrado, who posted another black-type placing when third in the Listed Dalrello S. at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Encryption will stand for $13,200 (inc GST) in 2023 | Standing at Eureka Stud
Encryption has had two individual winners and four placegetters from 13 runners.
“Encryption is going well; we are pleased with his results. He has a promising horse in Cifrado, who ran a cracking race in the Listed Dalrello S.
“Excitingly Cifrado has been set to contest the $1 million G2 Sires’ Produce S. over 1400 metres, we feel the 1400 metres is going to really suit that horse.
“Excitingly Cifrado has been set to contest the $1 million G2 Sires’ Produce S. over 1400 metres, we (Eureka Stud) feel the 1400 metres is going to really suit that horse.” - Harry McAlpine
Godolphin raced Encryption, and he could challenge to be one of the best-bred stallions available to breeders anywhere in Australia, the son of Lonhro is the first foal from the four-time Group 1 winner Guelph (Exceed And Excel) who has produced Encryption’s full sister the Group 3-winning Emanate.
On the track, Encryption showed ability from day one when winning the G3 Black Opal S. as a 2-year-old. However, it was as a 3-year-old that he blossomed, winning the G2 Danehill S. The following autumn, Encryption recorded a placing in the G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
“Encryption raced pre-Christmas, but it was as a 3-year-old where he flourished, and I feel his progeny are heading the same way.
Encryption winning the G2 Danehill S. | Standing at Eureka Stud, image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Trainers who have his unraced stock have said plenty of good things about them, and they just require some time. I think we will see many of his runners towards the back end of their 2-year-old seasons and the start of their 3-year-old seasons. We are very excited about what they could do.”
“Trainers who have his (Encryption's) unraced stock have said plenty of good things about them, and they just require some time. I think we will see many of his runners towards the back end of their 2-year-old seasons and the start of their 3-year-old seasons.” - Harry McAlpine
Encryption covered a book of 120 mares in the 2022 breeding season, among them Regal Tier (Royal Academy {USA}) who is the dam of the Listed winner Wisdom Of Water (Headwater), and Mystic Princess (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) who is a half-sister to the dual Group 3 winner Ubiquitous (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}).
While in the sales ring, Eureka Stud sold the top-priced Encryption, a filly out of Express Air (Piccolo {GB}) for $170,000 to Best Bloodstock at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“Encryption has covered solid books of around 120 throughout his five seasons. He achieved the figure of 120 last season, and pending results between now and the breeding season, we hope to achieve that figure again.”
| Spirit of Boom | Sequalo | $38,500 | $33,000 | 182 |
| Encryption | Lonhro | $13,200 | $13,200 | 120 |
Table: Eureka Stud's stallion roster in 2023, *all prices inclusive of GST
