Cover image courtesy of Newgate Stud Farm
Both Glorious Moments and Lead Me On were impressive winners last Saturday at Randwick and Doomben, and now have spring campaigns in their sights.
The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Newgate Stud’s Director of Bloodstock, Bruce Slade, to discuss Brutal's (NZ) credentials and what lies ahead for this exciting stallion. With a service fee of $16,500 inc GST, Brutal is shaping as a potential value play for breeders, based on both his achievements to date and how competitively he’s priced within the current market.
Brutal steps up with a standout Saturday winter double
It may be the middle of winter, but for stallions, there's no off-season when results are on the line. With the breeding season just around the corner, Brutal, the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap-winning son of O’Reilly (NZ), delivered a timely reminder of his growing influence by siring a metropolitan double last Saturday - scoring winners at both Randwick and Doomben, and picking up more black type when his talented 2-year-old daughter Brutiful Lass picked up her second Listed-placing in the Ryder Stakes at Otaki in New Zealand.
The Jim and Greg Lee-trained Glorious Moments was dominant at Randwick, surging to a decisive victory by over 4l in 3-year-old B72 company. At Doomben, the Chris Anderson-trained Lead Me On followed suit, registering his second successive Saturday win and reaffirming his growing reputation.
Glorious Moments | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Jim and Greg Lee have always held Glorious Moments in high regard. As a 2-year-old, he was tested in strong company, including the G3 Pago Pago Stakes. After a lengthy spell, he's returned with purpose, posting back-to-back metropolitan wins in impressive fashion.
Slade was understandably enthusiastic about the Randwick win, “It sounds like the Melbourne Spring is the aim for him. I’m looking forward to looking at the data from his win on the weekend, as off the eye it was an incredible win. He looks a potential Group 1 horse in the making.”
“I’m looking forward to looking at the data from his (Glorious Moments) win on the weekend, as off the eye it was an incredible win. He looks a potential Group 1 horse in the making.” - Bruce Slade
Lead Me On, also a proven talent, announced himself when taking out the $500,000 Magic Millions Debut at his first start. Since then, he's competed in strong company and boasts a record of three wins and two placings from just eight starts, with nearly $450,000 in prizemoney to his name.
Owned by Werrett Bloodstock, Whitby Bloodstock and Cinco Star Racing, Lead Me On adds further weight to the growing list of high-quality progeny.
“Neil Werrett has had a lot of success with Nepotism also, and Neil has bought a couple of Brutals and he is reaping the rewards,” said Slade.
Lead On Me | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A solid foundation for Brutal
Brutal is quietly building an impressive foundation as a young stallion. From only 94 runners, he has produced 38 winners, an encouraging mix of both colts and fillies. His standout performer so far is Nepotism, but he's not alone. Jenni’s Meadow won the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final over a mile as a 2-year-old, and has twice placed at Group level in major Oaks lead-up races at three.
Harlem Queen has also shown her class, finishing second in the G1 Flight Stakes, and placing fourth in both the G1 Spring Champion Stakes and the G1 Victorian Oaks, proving her consistency performing at the elite level across the whole season.
Currently, Brutal sits 11th by earnings among second-season sires and ninth by winners, commendable results for a stallion still in the early phase of his career and off his service fee.
Brutal (NZ) will stand for $16,500 in 2025 | Standing at Newgate Stud Farm
After standing his first two seasons at $27,500 inc GST, and the next two at $22,000 inc GST, he was adjusted to $16,500 inc GST last year, a price point that struck a chord with the market as he attracted 154 mares, he remains unchanged for the 2025 season.
“He is doing an amazing job, he has one of the most exciting 2-year-olds this season from only his second crop in Nepotism, and Glorious Moments looks to be potentially one of the more exciting 3-year-olds around.” Slade said.
“He still has had less than 100 runners and has had some high-class fillies including Harlem Queen and Brutiful Lass who have been multiple stakes-placed. Harlem Queen has been in the top four of three Group 1 races now - the Spring Champion, the Victoria Oaks, and the Flight Stakes.
“They are training on, and they are getting out over distance.”
Bruce Slade | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Slade believes the stallion’s current price point is resonating with breeders, “The market has levelled out, Brutal is very well-placed.
“He has been well supported throughout his years, and the market identified him as value last season as his number built back up to over 150 mares.
“But just as importantly, the quality of mare has went up, and he served some really nice mares last season which should hold him in good stead, and we know when he gets a good one, he can get a good one.”
Nepotism: The Group 1 winner and the rising star
Of all Brutal's progeny, it is Nepotism who has sparked the most excitement. Out of Brigite (Casino Prince), an unraced full sister to All Too Hard, a half-sister to the legendary Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), and also a half-sister to Naturale (Bel Esprit), dam of first-season sire standout Ole Kirk, the colt boasts a blue-blooded pedigree, and it would be no surprise to see him gain further Group 1 glory and to become yet another stallion from this outstanding family.
The big question could be, what Group 1 races will he target, as he looks classy and versatile.
Nepotism | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Purchased for $160,000 by International Thoroughbred Solutions (FBAA) at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Nepotism quickly made his presence felt.
He caught the eye on debut when charging home for third in the G2 Todman Stakes behind Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}) on debut. He followed that up with dominant victories in the G3 Baillieu Handicap and the G1 Champagne Stakes.
“The Hawkes team know how to get them firing, he is very exciting, he is early favourite for the Golden Rose and he is already proven at a strong mile already,” Slade said.
“He is really exciting, and from what I have seen on an update video, he looks to have come back particularly well,” Slade added.
Temperament matters – Especially in Hong Kong
One of Brutal’s less obvious, but equally important, assets is the temperament he passes on to his stock.
Slade commented about how relaxed the stallion is “He is a very laid back, chilled customer, and his breed are the same, they are a very relaxed breed.
“He trained on himself, and has left his progeny to be sound of mind and body and they are training on well also.”
“He (Brutal) trained on himself, and has left his progeny to be sound of mind and body and they are training on well also.” - Bruce Slade
This cool-headed nature has proven valuable in jurisdictions like Hong Kong, where the environment can be intense. From just five runners there, Brutal has already sired three winners, including the smart The All Out (NZ), who has claimed two juvenile wins from just three starts from the Jamie Richards stable, and the David Eustace-trained Truly Fluke, who has also won and placed from only three starts.
“If breeders know that stock are well-liked in Hong Kong it gives them confidence. If they have a nice colt, they are attractive in that trade market, so it creates a secondary market.
“It’s no surprise really, his sire O’Reilly was very successful in Hong Kong and his progeny have great attitudes, they don’t turn a hair and have the right temperament to handle Hong Kong.”
Brutal (NZ) | Standing at Newgate
Newgate ready for a big season
With spring approaching, the Newgate team are gearing up for another busy season with a powerful roster, with a mix of 16 young and proven stallions. When asked about the stud’s position heading into the season, Slade remained upbeat, “We have a lot of young stallions that are very well-positioned with big numbers coming through and have been well-supported.
“We have a huge opportunity of young horses coming through that are going to make a huge impact on the race tracks in the coming seasons.
“We have a huge opportunity of young horses coming through that are going to make a huge impact on the race tracks in the coming seasons.” - Bruce Slade
“We are very much sitting in the waiting phase with the young stallions, but at the same time we can enjoy the likes of Extreme Choice, Capitalist, Russian Revolution, Brutal, Tassort and Cosmic Force who are all doing a great job for us at the moment.
“The stallions all have upside, we believe they are well-priced in what is a tricky market. Costs aren’t decreasing and the market has levelled out.
“It’s up to breeders to find the upside, or find the well-priced ones, and Brutal fits that criteria. Hopefully our stallions and our farm can produce some nice upside for breeders in the next two to three years.”
