Cover image courtesy of Little Avondale Stud
Little Avondale Stud has announced that their star resident, Per Incanto (USA), will stand for the 2024 breeding season at a fee of NZ$50,000 (plus GST). Per Incanto will be the lone ranger at the Wairarapa Valley property, as Time Test (GB) will be rested from Southern Hemisphere service this season.
Per Incanto suffered an untimely paddock accident before the start of last year’s breeding season, but Little Avondale studmaster Sam Williams shared that he recovered in time to serve 72 mares last October. Williams informed The Thoroughbred Report that Per Incanto is now fighting fit ahead of the 2024 breeding season.
“Last year, we managed to start serving mares in October and had a reduced book of 72 mares. We are going to limit his book to 100 mares because we don’t want to overdo it. Per Incanto has healed really well, and he’s rehabbed well, but we want to look after his body.”
Humble beginnings
Starting at a modest fee of NZ$4000 (plus GST), the son of Street Cry (Ire) has seen his fee rise to the current NZ$50,000 (plus GST) due to his impressive track record.
Per Incanto currently holds a prominent position on the Leading New Zealand General Sires premiership. With 28 stakes winners to his name, seven of which have claimed Group 1 victories, including the likes of Little Brose, winner of the G1 Blue Diamond S. and now set to compete in the G1 Champion Sprint at Sha Tin, and Belclare (NZ), a dual Group 1 winner slated for the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
“Per Incanto started his first season at $4000 (plus GST) and has maintained a fee of $50,000 (plus GST) for the past few years. He is currently second only to Savabeel on the Centaine Award, which measures worldwide earnings for New Zealand stallions.
Per Incanto (USA) | Standing at Little Avondale Stud
“He has numerous exciting runners across Australasia, including classy 2-year-olds like Evaporate trained by the Hayes brothers, Photographics with John Sargent, and Rue de Royale with Tony McEvoy. With nearly $700,000 in prize money and notable performances, such as finishing second in three significant races.
“Additionally, Per Incanto has produced many promising young horses, with standout performers like Belclare, winner of New Zealand’s premier fillies and mares' race. Jimmystar is another with a bright future ahead.”
“Per Incanto currently holds a prominent position on the Leading New Zealand General Sires premiership. With 28 stakes winners to his name, seven of which have claimed Group 1 victories.”
Widespread appeal
With the sons and daughters of Per Incanto excelling on the track, his appeal has extended to the sale ring as well. Across all sales to date, Per Incanto has been represented by 62 lots, with 47 of them selling for a total of $7,662,221. The average price reached $163,025, with a median of $150,000.
At the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Per Incanto emerged as the leading New Zealand-based sire. Notably, his colt from Dreamlife (NZ) (Danroad) fetched $650,000, with an overall average of $310,000 from the lots offered and sold.
Sam and Catriona Williams | Image courtesy of Little Avondale Stud
“He’s had success all over the place. The Hong Kong market particularly loves him; he’s been a real stalwart up there for the last five seasons. He and Deep Field have been battling it out again, competing for individual winners. Per Incanto, being a son of Street Cry, is Danehill-free, but he just thrives on Danehill blood. He absolutely thrives off it, which is very advantageous in this part of the world.”
Reflecting on Per Incanto’s sale season so far, Williams remarked, “He's had a successful run across the board, from Magic Millions to Karaka to Easter. Per Incanto offers great value for what he stands for, and I think that’s the best thing in the current economic times. You just know he’s good value.”
| Per Incanto | Street Cry | NZ$50,000 (plus GST) | NZ$50,000 (plus GST) | 72 |
Gallery: Per Incanto's 2024 stud fee release
