Cover image courtesy of Widden Stud
Few stallions can lay claim to producing a horse of the calibre of the Champion Sprinter Nature Strip, especially one that stands for under $30,000 (inc GST).
However, there is one such stallion: Nicconi and he is available to breeders for $16,500 (inc GST) in the upcoming season.
A sensational sprinter himself, Nicconi won the G1 Lightning S., the G1 The Galaxy, and the G3 Ian McEwen Trophy. In total, Nicconi won six races, was placed in the G1 Manikato S., and finished in the top four in the G1 King’s Stand S. at Royal Ascot, the G1 TJ Smith S., and the G1 Australian Guineas.
Nicconi when racing | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Nicconi is out of the Group 3-placed Scenic (Ire) mare Nicola Lass, who demonstrated her toughness by winning seven races. Nicola Lass was an exceptional broodmare, producing not only Nicconi but also Niconero (Danzero). Niconero was a standout performer, winning the G1 Australian Cup, the G1 Futurity S. twice, and the G1 Fruit ‘N’ Veg S. twice.
After retiring to Widden Stud in New South Wales and subsequently relocating to the operation’s Victorian base, Nicconi has consistently produced winners and stakes performers each season.
Milestone moment
The Thoroughbred Report chatted with Adam Henry, sales and nominations manager at Widden Stud, Victoria, to learn more about the exceptional stallion Nicconi. This season, Nicconi reached an important milestone by siring his 600th individual winner and has since exceeded it, currently sitting on 603 winners.
Adam Henry | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“Nicconi recently hit the milestone of siring 600 individual winners and has averaged 120 winners a season for the last four seasons,” Henry told TTR AusNZ.
Nicconi has sired 29 individual stakes winners, led by Nature Strip, who avenged his sire at Royal Ascot by blazing the turf to win the G1 King’s Stand S. Nature Strip also conquered The Everest and won three editions of the G1 TJ Smith S. among his nine elite-level victories.
However, Nature Strip isn’t the only Group 1 winner sired by Nicconi. Graceful Girl, the G1 Winterbottom S. victress, is another notable progeny. Additionally, Faatinah, who won nine races, including three in Group 2 contests, was placed in the G1 Oakleigh Plate.
“He is the sire of the nine-time Group 1 winner and Champion Sprinter Nature Strip. He is a pleasure to deal with, the ultimate professional with exceptional fertility.
“He’s basically the ‘go-to’ stallion in Victoria to start off maiden mares or cover established broodmares. He can get you a sales horse, and his winners-to-runners ratio is elite.”
“He’s (Nicconi) basically the ‘go-to’ stallion in Victoria to start off maiden mares or cover established broodmares. He can get you a sales horse, and his winners-to-runners ratio is elite.” - Adam Henry
Another fantastic season
Nicconi has enjoyed another fantastic season on the track with his progeny. He has been represented by seven stakes horses, including Amber Glide and Petula. Meanwhile, his consistent son Nicolini Vito was placed in two stakes races and won in late May at Sandown-Hillside. Nicconi’s classy daughter, Bossy Nic, also secured an impressive win at Caulfield in July.
At the time of writing, Nicconi boasts a 72.5 per cent winners-to-runners ratio. His progeny have also been well-received in the sale ring this year, with a top price of $270,000 for a colt offered by Newhaven Park from the Zedative mare Hoist at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Lot 35 - Nicconi x Hoist (colt) realised the top result ($270,000, at Inglis Classic) for progeny by his sire in the 2024 yearling sale season | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Nicconi had another great season in the sales ring. He achieved a top price of $270,000, but his progeny also made figures of $220,000, $180,000 (twice), $110,000 (twice), and $100,000,” said Henry.
The reception to the son of Bianconi (USA) has been strong since he relocated to Victoria. “He has covered 395 mares in the last three seasons since moving to Victoria. It is unsurprising, though, because he’s a fantastic proven option for breeders with brilliant winners-to-runners stats,” Henry added.
Can get a winner
The highest fee Nicconi has stood for in his career was $38,500 (inc GST), yet he has consistently sired winners and stakes performers. From 832 career runners, there have been 603 individual winners of 1851 races.
Nicconi will stand for $16,500 inc GST in 2024 | Standing at Widden Stud
Nicconi has been represented by 54 stakes performers, of which 29 have won stakes races, totaling 59 stakes victories. His progeny have accumulated $94,413,819 in earnings and have shown versatility, winning at distances ranging from 1000 to 2400 metres or further.
Interestingly, his fillies and colts have each accounted for 27 of his stakes performers, showing no gender bias in his success.
