Eureka Stud introduces multiple Group 1 placegetter Don Corleone at $13,200

Cover image courtesy of Eureka Stud

Eureka Stud, situated in the historic and picturesque region of Cambooya, Queensland, has revealed its 2024 stallion roster and fees. Introducing the Group 1-placed Don Corleone, a son of Extreme Choice for a debut fee of $13,200 (inc GST), while Spirit Of Boom headlines at an unchanged fee of $38,500 (inc GST).

Eureka Stud’s 2024 roster is rounded out by the blueblood Encryption, standing at a reduced fee of $11,000 (inc GST).

Discussing Eureka Stud’s approach to fees for the 2024 season, its nominations and bloodstock, Harry McAlpine told The Thoroughbred Report, “Obviously the market has come back a bit, but we’ve had very good sales seasons.

“We sold pretty much everything. So, clearance has been phenomenal. Our stallions have been pretty well received and we were thrilled Encryption’s average sale price went up by about $10,000. Spirit Of Boom’s average came back marginally but was pretty on par with last year.

“The market is just softening but we’re pretty happy with how our stallions have performed.”

Don Corleone, a boost for Queensland

Eureka Stud has announced the acquisition of Don Corleone, a son of the ‘statistically freakish’ Extreme Choice, for the 2024 breeding season at a debut fee of $13,200 (inc GST).

Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Don Corleone was a $650,000 purchase by China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock at the 2021 Gold Coast National Weanling Sale from the draft of his breeder, Gilgai Farm.

McAlpine explained how the deal came about, “Eureka Stud has been on the hunt for a new stallion. Prospects are quite light these days with the big stallion funds controlling a lot of the stallion prospects and then sending them off to stud.

“We were lucky Newgate had three other stallions going to its stud this year, so they could have introduced four, but we just structured a deal which was a bit of a win with them, and we would stand him in Queensland, and he’d be top of the tree and get a good start.

“If he’s successful enough, hopefully, he will return to the Hunter Valley and can be very commercial down there.”

Don Corleone showcased his talent on the racetrack, winning as a juvenile on debut at Randwick. Two starts later, he secured a second-place finish in the G1 Blue Diamond S. Upon returning to Sydney, Don Corleone finished fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper S., behind Shinzo and the subsequent G1 Newmarket H. winner Cylinder. Notably, he turned the tables on the Blue Diamond winner Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}) and beat the three-time Group 1 winner Militarize (NZ).

Expanding his range, Don Corleone stretched out to the 1400 metres of the G1 Sires’ Produce S., securing a commendable second-place finish. As a 3-year-old, he furthered his accolades with stakes placings in the G2 Danehill S. and the Listed Gothic S.

He is the fifth son of Newgate Farm’s Extreme Choice to retire to stud. Extreme Choice has sired 12 stakes winners, who have won 21 stakes races in total. While 18 of his progeny have been stakes performed from 135 foals in total.

Don Corleone is the fifth foal from the Snippetson mare Snipzu, who herself had a respectable racing career, being placed in the Listed Gimcrack S., the G3 BJ McLachlan S., and the Listed Calaway Gal S. Additionally, she is the dam of the G1 JJ Atkins S. placed The Drinks Cart (Unencumbered).

Commenting on the acquisition of Don Corleone, McAlpine emphasised, “The Eureka Stud broodmare population and Queensland breeders are gaining access to what may be the best emerging sireline in Australia."

Furthermore, McAlpine highlighted, “The stats of his sire, Extreme Choice, from very limited runners are freakish. It’s a sireline we are tapping into that Queensland’s not really had much access to before."

He continued, “Queensland has made significant strides in the breeding industry over the last five years. The success of Queensland's broodmare population depends on the strength of the sires that stand here.”

Adding to his appeal, McAlpine remarked, “Don Corleone made $650,000 as a foal, which was the highest price for an Extreme Choice sold that year. He’s got the looks and charisma that set him apart.”

Elaborating on Don Corleone’s physical attributes, McAlpine noted, “He’s very much in the mold of his grandfather, Not A Single Doubt. Not A Single Doubt was a highly successful sire, benefiting many breeders.”

Gold flows for Boom

Eureka Stud’s flagship stallion, Spirit Of Boom, maintains his standing at an unchanged fee of $38,500 (inc GST). The son of Sequalo served a full book of 172 mares last spring, and over the past year, he has continued to excel both in the sale ring and on the track.

Spirit Of Boom boasts an impressive record with 779 foals, resulting in 562 runners and 405 individual winners across 1160 races. Among them are 26 stakes winners of 39 stakes races and 40 stakes-performing horses, with his total prizemoney standing at $52,366,392.

In the sales arena of 2024, Spirit Of Boom saw 67 of his 78 yearlings offered being sold for an aggregate of $8,280,629. The average price fetched was $123,591, with a median of $90,000. Notably, a filly commanded the highest price of $340,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Commenting on Spirit Of Boom’s fee, McAlpine expressed, “I think we’ve hit the sweet spot with him at that fee ($38,500 inc GST). He covered a full book of 172 mares, and we didn’t really do any dealing down."

He continued, “Spirit Of Boom has firmly established himself among Australia's elite sires, consistently delivering returns for commercial breeders. He provides an excellent opportunity for breeders to enhance the prospects of their mares."

“We expect he’ll cover the same numbers again, and we’re very pleased with Spirit Of Boom’s progress. Breeding to him is a no-brainer; you're rewarded handsomely in the sales ring, and you greatly increase your mare's chances of producing a stakes runner. It's a straightforward choice with him.”

Blueblood's hot start

Completing Eureka Stud’s 2024 lineup is Encryption, priced at $11,000 (inc GST). This near-black entire boasts a regal pedigree as a son of the late Champion Sire and Racehorse, Lonhro, and from the illustrious four-time Group 1 winner Guelph (Exceed And Excel).

Encryption has made a strong start to his career, with two stakes winners emerging from 67 runners. Notably, his son Cifrado won the G2 Sires Produce S. as a juvenile and has since added victories in the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic and the G3 Vo Rogue Plate. Meanwhile, his other stakes winner, Encoder, impressed with a victory in the G3 Grand Prix S. Overall, Encryption has sired 22 individual winners, accumulating 33 races.

His talent has been recognised in the rankings, as Encryption finished ninth overall in the Leading Australian Second Season Sires for the 2023/24 season, among competitors like Trapeze Artist and Justify (USA). Additionally, he secured second place on the Leading Australian First Season Sires Premiership in 2022/23, behind the aforementioned Justify.

In the sale ring, Encryption has continued to impress, with 34 out of his 39 offerings sold for a total of $1,359,500. The average price reached $39,985, with a median of $25,000. Notably, a colt fetched the highest price of $170,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

“Encryption has made a remarkable start to his career,” remarked McAlpine. “He finished second to Justify in the Australian First-Season Sire title last year and won the Queensland First-Season Sire title.

“He has sired a dual Group 2 winner in Cifrado, who’s won three Group races in total and is aiming towards the G1 Stradbroke H. Additionally, Encryption has also produced a real staying prospect in Encoder, who was very impressive in the G3 Grand Prix and he’s on the way to a G1 Queensland Derby.

“So, Encryption has done a phenomenal job; to throw a Group-winning sprinter and a stayer in his first crop is very encouraging and his oldest and only free.”

Explaining the slight fee reduction for Encryption, McAlpine stated, “His coming fee back to $11,000 (inc GST) was made on the decision that because that level of market was a bit tougher for breeders it was the right thing to do. Encryption’s sales average rose almost $10,000 from last year but we’re just recognising the facts of the economy and to keep him competitive.”

Table: Eureka's stallion roster for 2024