Dual Group 1-producing sire Tarzino will stand his seventh season at New Zealand’s Westbury Stud at a career-high fee of NZ$25,000 plus GST, up from NZ$15,000 plus GST in 2022.
Following two elite-level victors within the space of three weeks in mid-2022 (Jungle Magnate {NZ}, who now races as Beautyverse in Hong Kong, and the recently retired Gypsy Goddess {NZ}), both from his first crop, Tarzino has had two new stakes performers in 2023. The Andrew Forsman-trained Bitcoin (NZ) placed third in the Listed Gingernuts Salver in January, before John Sargent’s Mountain Guest ran third in the G3 Adrian Knox S. in April. The former has since transferred to Lindsey Smith at Warrnambool and bolted in at his local debut at Ballarat in April. Bitcoin has been nominated for Saturday’s G1 South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
Tarzino (NZ) will stand for a career-high fee of NZ$25,000 (plus GST) | Standing at Westbury Stud
“I think everyone knew it was only timing-related last year that he was as cheap as he was. We had to set his fee by the end of April and straight after we set his fee, he came up with two Group 1 winners. Once we advertised his fee, we didn’t move off that,” Westbury Stud’s General Manager, Russell Warwick, told TDN AusNZ.
“We got wonderful support and he duly covered more mares than any other stallion in New Zealand.
“There had to be a little bit of a correction.
“We think it’s still very realistic, and in all due respect, he could have easily gone to NZ$50,000 or more last season, had we set his fee after the Queensland Oaks.”
“We think it’s still very realistic, and in all due respect, he (Tarzino) could have easily gone to NZ$50,000 or more last season, had we set his fee after the Queensland Oaks.” - Russell Warwick
The success of Tarzino’s progeny on the track has transferred to the sale ring. In 2022, Tarzino’s yearlings averaged $102,908 throughout Australasia, while in 2023, that figure has jumped to $120,163.
“His yearlings have been popular and some of the biggest and best trainers have bought them, people like Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Annabel Neasham, Chris Waller, Mike Moroney… there’s hardly a top stable that doesn’t have a Tarzino in their lineup and that’s really heartening,” Warwick said.
“We took three to the Gold Coast (Magic Millions) and they averaged over $225,000, while at Karaka, they sold up to NZ$250,000.
Lot 115 - Tarzino (NZ) x Coyote Miss (colt) sold for NZ$250,000 at the 2023 NZB Karaka Sale | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“There’s a lot of encouragement, both from the trainers and buyers and agents.”
Tarzino covered his biggest book last season, serving 197 mares. Warwick said that number will come down in 2023, with the entire’s shareholders again strongly supporting the son of Tavistock (NZ).
“He will have a ceiling, he will definitely cover less mares this year. We did a big book with him last year as he had a relatively lighter year the year before,” he said.
“He (Tarzino) will have a ceiling, he will definitely cover less mares this year. We did a big book with him last year as he had a relatively lighter year the year before.” - Russell Warwick
“He’s an extremely fertile horse and his fertility was extremely good last year.
“He will have a cap of 150 and we will be firm on that.”
El Roca up to NZ$15,000
Tarzino’s barnmate, El Roca, has also received a fee increase, with the 12-year-old son of Fastnet Rock to stand for NZ$15,000 (plus GST), up from NZ$12,500 (plus GST) in 2022.
El Roca will stand for an increased fee of NZ$15,000 (plus GST) | Standing at Westbury Stud
In March this year, El Roca became a two-time Group 1-producing sire when the Te Akau Racing-owned filly Romancing The Moon (NZ) took out the G1 Levin Classic at Trentham.
Rocababy (NZ) and White Noise (NZ) also won stakes races during the 2022/23 season and El Roca currently sits fourth in the New Zealand Premiership.
El Roca has become a very popular and successful sire throughout Asia, and in Hong Kong, he boasts the very impressive record of seven winners from eight runners, including the Group 2 scorer Lucky Patch (NZ).
“He’s doing a great job up there (Hong Kong), they just keep winning races,” said Warwick.
“The Hong Kong Jockey Club bought one at Karaka this year and it’s great to see that Hong Kong interest stemming down to buying them as yearlings, not just as tried horses.
“You can’t knock his record, he just keeps stumping up with a good horse each year.
“You can’t knock his (El Roca’s) record, he just keeps stumping up with a good horse each year.” - Russell Warwick
“He’s a son of Fastnet Rock and a bit like him, his progeny just keep getting better and more mature.”
A strong support cast
Westbury Stud regulars Redwood (GB), Reliable Man (GB) and Swiss Ace return, while the Group 3-winning son of Fast ‘N’ Famous, Ferrando (NZ), who will have his first 2-year-olds out in 2023, joins them.
Redwood’s fee rises from NZ$8000 (plus GST) to NZ$10,000 (plus GST).
Redwood (GB) will stand for a slightly increased fee of NZ$10,000 (plus GST) | Standing at Westbury Stud
His banner horse is the talented young stayer Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) - a triple Group 1 hero.
Redwood had a new stakes winner last weekend with Solidify (NZ) scoring in Listed grade at Waikato.
“Based on what he’s done, a lot of places would have doubled his fee. We wanted to keep him realistic. I think he’s a great horse for New Zealand breeders to breed to,” Warwick commented.
“Based on what he’s (Redwood) done, a lot of places would have doubled his fee. We wanted to keep him realistic. I think he’s a great horse for New Zealand breeders to breed to.” - Russell Warwick
“He’s had a phenomenal year, with Sharp ‘N’ Smart being the lamplighter. Platinum Invador won an Auckland Cup and we’re very excited about the horse that won on Saturday, Solidify; we think he could be top-drawer.”
Reliable Man also enjoyed stakes success last weekend, with Essonne (NZ) winning the Listed Silk Stocking at the Sunshine Coast and Renaissance Woman landing the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet at the same track. And those results came less than 48 hours after Reliable Man’s Group 1 victress, Inspirational Girl (NZ), made $1.1 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Reliable Man will stand for a fee of NZ$13,500 (plus GST), a slight decrease from NZ$16,000 (plus GST).
Reliable Man (GB) will stand at a decreased fee of NZ$13,500 (plus GST) | Standing at Westbury Stud
“He had a little quiet patch there for a while and was looking for some good horses to come out,” said Warwick.
“Renaissance Woman…she won the Ethereal Stakes in the spring and she’s now favourite for the Queensland Oaks. He’s already sired two Oaks winners, so it gives you great confidence.
“It’s amazing that she will be favourite for a mile-and-a-half race, whereas Essonne is winning at stakes level over 1200 metres. He’s a very versatile stallion.”
“It’s amazing that she (Renaissance Woman) will be favourite for a mile-and-a-half race, whereas Essonne is winning at stakes level over 1200 metres. He’s (Reliable Man) a very versatile stallion.” - Russell Warwick
Swiss Ace’s fee remains unchanged at NZ$5000 (plus GST), while Ferrando debuts at Westbury Stud at a fee of NZ$5000 (plus GST), having stood last season at Graeme and Debbie Rogerson’s farm in Hamilton for NZ$2500 (plus GST).
| Tarzino | Tavistock | NZ$25,000 | NZ$15,000 | 197 |
| El Roca | Fastnet Rock | NZ$15,000 | NZ$12,500 | 86 |
| Reliable Man | Dalakhani | NZ$13,500 | NZ$16,000 | 74 |
| Redwood | High Chaparral | NZ$10,000 | NZ$8000 | 74 |
| Ferrando | Fast 'N' Famous | NZ$5000 | NZ$2500 | 54 |
| Swiss Ace | Secret Savings | NZ$5000 | NZ$5000 | 58 |
Table: Westbury Stud's stallion roster in 2023, *all prices excluding GST
