U S Navy Flag heads The Oaks Stud roster at NZ$12,500

Cover image courtesy of The Oaks Stud

On Tuesday, one of New Zealand’s premier nurseries, The Oaks Stud, announced its three-strong roster, headed by the royally bred and accomplished U S Navy Flag (USA). The stallion has a slightly reduced fee of NZ$12,500 plus GST after another solid season on the track.

U S Navy Flag (USA) has a page that any stallion would be envy of, a son of the sire sensation War Front (USA), boasts an exceptional pedigree. His dam, Misty For Me (Ire), a daughter of the champion stallion Galileo (Ire), was crowned the Champion 2-year-old filly in both France and Ireland, before following up as Ireland’s Champion 3-year-old filly.

Misty For Me retired with five wins between 1200 and 2000 metres, including the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, and G1 Pretty Polly Stakes. She also placed in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf Stakes, and the G1 Matron Stakes.

As outstanding as she was on the track, Misty For Me has also proven herself as a broodmare. Her daughter Roly Poly (USA) (War Front {USA}), a full sister to U S Navy Flag, won six races from 1000 to 1600 metres, claiming the G1 Prix Rothschild Stakes, G1 Sun Chariot Stakes, and the G1 Falmouth Stakes.

Following in his sister’s footsteps, U S Navy Flag also made a major impact on the track. His wins in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes and the G1 Middle Park Stakes earned him the title of Champion 2-year-old in Europe. As a 3-year-old, he won the G1 July Cup and was placed in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, ultimately earning titles as Champion 3-year-old Sprinter in Europe, Champion 3-year-old Sprinter in Great Britain and Ireland, and Leading 3-year-old Male on the 2018 WTR (Sprint).

U S Navy Flag making his mark in New Zealand

U S Navy Flag has carried that elite performance into his stud career, enjoying a strong start in the Southern Hemisphere. He was crowned New Zealand’s Champion first season sire and backed it up by taking the Champion second season sire title as well.

To date, worldwide he has produced 141 individual winners, including five stakes winners and 17 stakes performers.

“It’s a reflection on the times more than anything, he was Champion first season and second season sire, and I guess he, Ace High and Embellish, the sires that started together, are all in a similar boat.” Rick Williams said.

“It’s tough out there, there’s no doubt about that when you see I Am Invincible and some real top stallions reducing their fee.

“We have always looked after people before, and the people using him, a lot of breeders use him each year. He has five stakes winners and a lot of stakes horses, but he needs that breakout horse.

“His best in Australia is a Group 2 second, they have to win in the right places. Being steady and having good statistics isn’t enough, you’ve got to have those big horses winning in the right places, and he’s not there yet.

"With these middle market stallions, you have to be realistic and try to keep a few breeders in the game.”

When questioned about the support that the stallion has received, Williams said “He has had 70 or 80 mares the last four years, and we have to keep the numbers up, we don’t want to drop below that, but he is right at the crossroads. Like so many stallions with 4-year-olds, they need a big horse.”

The Chosen One offers pedigree and performance

Standing his fourth season at stud at NZ$4000 plus GST, The Chosen One (NZ) provides breeders with an outstanding value option. A son of Champion sire Savabeel, The Chosen One was a tough, versatile campaigner with seven wins to his name.

His victories include the G1 Thorndon Mile, G2 Herbert Power Stakes, G3 Frank Packer Plate, G3 Manawatu Classic, and the Listed Zacinto Stakes. He also placed in the G1 Sydney Cup, G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes, G1 Caulfield Cup and the G1 Tancred Stakes, and finished fourth in the G1 Melbourne Cup, G1 Australian Derby and G1 Underwood Stakes. For his efforts, he was named New Zealand’s Champion Stayer.

Williams went on to add, “He remains at $4000, and for a horse that won the races he did and $2.7 million, a son of Savabeel, and from a great family, that is a very competitive fee.”

When asked about early reports and how his progeny are progressing, Williams said “The reports are good, they are lovely horses with good temperaments. He has been steady bookwise getting around that 70 or 80 mark. It’s enough to get a horse started, and now it is very much up to him.

“I don’t think they will be before Christmas 2-year-olds, but there is no reason, from the ones I have seen, that they couldn’t pop up as Autumn 2-year-olds.

“Good stallions can come from humble beginnings and he may fit that criteria. He is definitely a chance.”

At the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale, The Chosen One's first crop made a solid first appearance, with six yearlings selling for an average just over NZ$27,000. That included a colt out of Phoebe Snow (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) which fetched NZ$75,000.

Completing The Oaks Stud’s 2025 stallion line-up is Roc De Cambes (NZ), who stands at NZ$3000 plus GST. A son of Red Ransom (USA), he’s been a proven source of quality with limited numbers.

Roc De Cambes is the sire of G1 New Zealand Derby winner Vin De Dance (NZ) and G1 Toorak Handicap winner He’s Our Rokkii (NZ). From relatively few runners, he has produced 140 individual winners of 354 races, 14 stakes performers, and six individual stakes winners.

“I was hoping we would win the G1 South Australian Derby but he pulled up very shin sore, the horse (Roctave). He is another horse that by statistics, has always done a good job off not many mares."

Table: 2025 stallion roster at The Oaks