Cover image courtesy of Darley
We take a look at stallions in four price categories - proven stallions standing for $50,000 and over, proven stallions at a fee of $40,000 and below, second and third season stallions yet to have runners and the new boys on the block.
Proven stallions over $50,000
“A horse leaving a legacy” is how Eureka Stud's Harry McAlpine describes the great So You Think (NZ), the multiple Group 1 winning Coolmore Stud based globe-trotter who currently sits third on the general sires list behind the more expensive I Am Invincible standing at $275,000 (inc GST) and Zoustar standing at $275,000 (inc GST).
“He (So You Think) is a pretty good option amongst the top stallions,” McAlpine said, noting a service fee drop from $99,000 (inc GST) to $77,000 (inc GST).
“He just keeps doing the job - siring nice horses who win over all distances.”
“A horse (So You Think) leaving a legacy”. - Harry McAlpine
Having stood Iglesia at Oaklands Stud, Neville Stewart is justifiably proud of the success of his Champion Sire son Written Tycoon and it is one that Champion Sire's sons who stands out as value amongst the proven horses for Stewart.
“Capitalist has got the right pedigree to continue to be successful,” he said.
“Having stood Iglesia I know how dominant horses in this sireline can be.”
Neville Stewart likes Capitalist this season at $66,000 (inc GST) | Standing at Newgate Stud
Whilst at $247,500 Snitzel is amongst the elite when it comes to service fee, Wicklow Lodge's Jeff Cullen is a fan - noting that his price does compare well to other Champion Sires.
“He keeps doing the job and had yet another stakes winner - Lazzura - last weekend.”
Cullen - from just a small group of mares has bred the Group 1 winning sprinter Jonker and the Group winners Tycoon Evie (Written Tycoon) and Winning Rupert - as well as the dam of the exciting juvenile Straight Charge (Written By).
Proven stallions under $40,000
Having bred Jonker from the first crop of Spirit Of Boom, Cullen considers him to be good value at his unchanged fee of $38,500 (inc GST).
“He can get you a precocious type of horse who can win at two and go on - his progeny have the same longevity that he had.”
Happy to declare his bias, Harry McAlpine also has Spirit Of Boom on the top of his value list standing for a fee of $38,500 (inc GST).
Spirit Of Boom | Standing at Eureka
“He sires horses who show up early and who can get you a great result in the sales ring; they win all around the country and there is not much that he can't do.”
McAlpine also likes the way Harry Angel (Ire) has been going - "he has started well and he sires good looking horses.”
Also proud of a horse he stands himself is Neville Stewart who feels that the high class sprinter/miler Power (GB) has been somewhat underrated by breeders.
“He (Harry Angel) has started well and he sires good looking horses.” - Harry McAlpine
“He has sired 27 stakes winners including three Group 1 winners and they win all around the world.
“He is a magnificent individual who sires good types.”
Harry Angel stands for a fee of $38,500 (inc GST).
Second and third season stallions
Harry McAlpine cites two Group 1 winners as exciting prospects - Coolmore's Home Affairs who stands for a fee of $82,500 (inc GST) and Newgate's Stay Inside who stands for a fee of $55,000 (inc GST).
“I love both of their profiles - in regards to pedigree, ability and type.
“And I have seen a lot of nice foals by both of them.”
Gallery: Harry McAlpine cites two Group 1 winners as exciting prospects
Neville Stewart and his son Alistair are both fans of Widden Stud's Anders standing for a fee $16,500 (inc GST) - “he has a good pedigree and he showed an abundance of speed,” Alistair said.
“All the good judges got behind him at the sales and we liked him enough to buy a couple of mares in foal to him - we think he is a good punt.”
Not surprising Jeff Cullen is very excited about the first foals sired by Jonker who he sold as a yearling, reinvesting in when he retired to stud.
“He (Andershas a good pedigree and he showed an abundance of speed,”
“I really like the look of his foals. I have three of them and love them, so much so that whilst I will be selling my two colts I will be retaining my filly.
“Jonker is a great looking horse, a version of his sire but possibly with even more speed."
Cullen is also looking forward to seeing the first foals for Widden Stud's dual Group 1 winner Jacquinot - “he is a good type who showed up early.”
First season stallions
Speaking of early comers, Coolmore Stud's G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Shinzo is a horse both Harry McAlpine and Jeff Cullen are keen on. Shinzo is standing for a fee of $55,000 (inc GST).
“He kicks off at not a bad fee for a Slipper winner," McAlpine noted and Cullen agreed - "everyone wants to use a Slipper horse!” he said.
McAlpine has his own first season stallion at Eureka Stud, the Group 1 placed Extreme Choice horse Don Corleone who he describes as "a beautiful horse built very much like Not A Single Doubt - and we love that about him.
Shinzo | Standing at Coolmore
“If anything he is a touch bigger and scopier and you have to love the job Not A Single Doubt is doing as a sire of sires.”
The Stewarts meanwhile have a lot of time for Newgate's new boy King's Gambit - “he is a good sort by a Champion Sire in I Am Invincible," Alistair said, "and I like him as a horse to keep this sire line going.”
