Cover image courtesy of Cambridge Stud
Cambridge Stud remains at the forefront of bringing new blood into New Zealand, and it is with that in mind that the stud offers a roster of six stallions in 2026, incorporating four of Europe’s best performing sirelines and sons of the leading stallions in Australia and New Zealand.
| Sword Of State | $50,000 | $20,000 |
| Charyn | $35,000 | New for 2026 |
| Chaldean | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Almanzor | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| Hello Youmzain | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Embellish | $5000 | $5000 |
Table: Cambridge Stud service fees for the 2026 breeding season, in NZD, plus GST
“We are really pitching to the Australian broodmare base with the addition of Charyn this year,” said Cambridge Stud’s Chief Executive Officer Henry Plumptre.
“In the eight years that we have managed Cambridge Stud for the Lindsays, we have managed to get Almanzor off the ground very strongly, and we have brought over Chaldean the last couple of years. We think this horse is a really exciting edition to the roster.”
Sword Of State sets high benchmark with first crop
For a stallion who was precocious himself, it is imperative that the first crop of 2-year-olds get off on the right foot, and Sword Of State has achieved that with two first crop stakes winners and a Group 1 performer on either side of the Tasman.
Sword Of State’s flag has been flown on Australian soil by Warwoven, who was a dominant winner on debut at Randwick and again at Eagle Farm before his G3 Pago Pago Stakes victory, and Torture (NZ), who claimed the Listed Debutant Stakes before crossing to her home country to run third in the R. Listed Karaka 2YO Million by half a length.
It was unfortunate that Warwoven missed the R. Listed Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO Classic in January, but he returned in the autumn in fine form, running fourth by less than half a length on resumption in the G2 Skyline Stakes to subsequent G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Campione D’Italia (Snitzel). He followed the performance with his Group 3 victory, and backed up a week later to run sixth in Guest House’s (Home Affairs) G1 Golden Slipper Stakes by under three lengths.
Sword Of State | Standing at Cambridge Stud, NZ
State Of Valour (NZ) added to the black-type performance record with a third placing in the G1 Sistema Stakes, two lengths behind the unbeaten Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution), and Sword Of State’s third winner State The Obvious (NZ) ran fourth in the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes to the same filly.
It is off the back of these performances that Sword Of State’s fee lifts to NZ$50,000 plus GST from NZ$20,000 plus GST in 2026.
“We thought long and hard about his fee and we have put him up a significant amount, which I think reflects the results of this season,” Plumptre said. “There was a bit of bad luck that probably meant he missed out on a Sydney Group 1 winner, and bad luck doesn’t normally sell nominations, but we felt the horse has justified himself.”
“It is unprecedented for a New Zealand-based stallion to sire two stakes-winning 2-year-olds in Australia, let alone from his first crop,” said Cambridge Stud Sales and Nominations Manager Scott Calder.
“Sword of State’s sale results over the last two years have been what you would expect from a horse standing at a much higher fee.” - Scott Calder
“Sword of State’s sale results over the last two years have been what you would expect from a horse standing at a much higher fee, and it is great to see that market confidence translate into results on the track.”
Scott Calder | Image courtesy of NZ Thoroughbred Association
Cambridge Stud sold Sword Of State’s first seven-figure yearling in 2026 when a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) sold for NZ$1.1 million at the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale in January. His yearlings have averaged NZ$152,027 in 2026, with a solid median of NZ$110,000, and he also achieved a new personal record filly price at Karaka when a daughter of Listed WATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Fuld’s Bet (I Am Invincible) sold for NZ$475,000.
“The interest in this horse at the yearling sales this year has been phenomenal,” said Plumptre. “His average at Karaka was between eight and 10 times his service fee, which is a fantastic return for breeders and for his syndicate. He is a son of Snitzel, and now that Snitzel is no longer with us, we are looking to these sons with good performances and good pedigrees to take up the mantle of their father.”
“Now that Snitzel is no longer with us, we are looking to these sons (like Sword Of State) with good performances and good pedigrees to take up the mantle of their father.” - Henry Plumptre
“He still has a lot more horses coming through from that first crop, and we are incredibly excited about him,” said Calder.
Charyn joins international cohort at Cambridge
Cambridge Stud welcomes triple Group 1 winner Charyn (Ire), a son of Dark Angel (Ire), to the roster in 2026 in partnership with Nurlan Bizakov’s French operation Sumbe. He will stand for NZ$35,000 plus GST. The grey stallion is a full brother to G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Wings Of War (Ire) out of multiple stakes-placed Futoon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), and boasts a rich pedigree of juvenile talent.
The winner of the G2 Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte over 1200 metres as a 2-year-old, he was twice third at Group 1 level at three, in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and again in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, as well as running fourth in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.
At four is where the grey was at his best, winning the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, a race won by the likes of Frankel (GB), at Royal Ascot by two and a half lengths before crossing the Channel to win the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois like Dubawi (Ire) and Kingman (Ire), by a three-length margin. He also added the G2 Sandown Mile Stakes and second placings in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and the G1 Lockinge Stakes to his record in the same season.
In the October of the same year, he emulated Frankel again when scoring in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, earning himself the titles of World Champion Miler and 2024 Cartier Champion Older Horse.
Charyn (Ire) | Standing at Cambridge Stud, NZ
“This horse was put to the sword as a 4-year-old, and he really rose to the challenge,” said Plumptre. “We are very excited about the horse, and equally excited about the relationship with Sumbe.”
“This horse (Charyn) was put to the sword as a 4-year-old, and he really rose to the challenge.” - Henry Plumptre
“The acquisition of Charyn for the Cambridge Stud stallion roster is the beginning of another exciting chapter for the stud and a very important relationship with Nurlan Bizakov’s Sumbe,” said Cambridge Stud's owner Sir Brendan Lindsay.
“While Cambridge Stud is delighted to secure Charyn for stud duties in New Zealand, we are also looking forward to the relationship with Sumbe. As we have found with Haras d’Etreham and Juddmonte, the stallion is important, but a lasting relationship with the Bizakov family, Tony Fry and the Sumbe team is just as important.
“His status as the highest-rated miler in the world of his year stamps him as an elite performer, and we are excited to show him to the New Zealand industry.”
“I am delighted and honoured to confirm the agreement with Cambridge Stud to stand Charyn for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season, and I would like to warmly thank Sir Brendan Lindsay, Henry Plumptre and their entire team for their confidence in the stallion, as well as for their enthusiasm and support,” said Nurlan Bizakov.
“It is a prestigious stud with a highly significant broodmare band, providing an outstanding platform to support a stallion of Charyn’s calibre.
“I am confident that Charyn will greatly appeal to Southern Hemisphere breeders, thanks to his physical presence and athleticism, which he consistently passes on to his foals.” - Nurlan Bizakov
“I am confident that Charyn will greatly appeal to Southern Hemisphere breeders, thanks to his physical presence and athleticism, which he consistently passes on to his foals. I am therefore pleased to announce the beginning of what I hope will be a prosperous and successful partnership for the future between Sumbe and Cambridge Stud.”
“Charyn’s three Group 1 victories, in elite events and against elite opposition, showcased his tactical speed and a great turn of foot,” Plumptre said.
“He distanced strong opposition in the Queen Anne and the Prix Jacques le Marois, but was tested in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, responding with great courage to draw clear. That determination, combined with his natural speed, gained him a Timeform rating of 127.”
Henry Plumptre | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Plumptre recently visited Sumbe and was impressed by the quality of Charyn’s first foals born in 2026.
“We were delighted with him and the small sample of foals that we were shown at Sumbe,” he said. “They were a very even bunch, mostly between four and six weeks old, but already developing strong tops, good bone, and their sire’s quality.
“Dark Angel continues to produce at the elite level in Europe, and the success of Harry Angel in Australia should give further confidence. The fact that Dark Angel is achieving his best black-type results with Danzig, Danehill, Exceed And Excel, and Gone West can only enhance his prospects in New Zealand.”
Chaldean writing the next Frankel chapter in New Zealand
Charyn joins Chaldean (GB) and Hello Youmzain (Fr) as shuttle stallions on the Cambridge Stud roster in 2026. Chaldean welcomed his first foals in 2025, and will stand his third season at stud for the same fee of NZ$35,000 plus GST, while Hello Youmzain will stand for NZ$20,000 plus GST, down from NZ$30,000 plus GST, this season.
Calder pointed to Sir Delius’s (GB) win in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes as further proof of the power of the Frankel sireline in Australasia, a trend that the Cambridge team is hopeful that Chaldean can continue.
Chaldean (GB) | Standing at Cambridge Stud, NZ
“Chaldean’s mix of pedigree and race record makes him an especially attractive stallion prospect,” he said. “Henry was very impressed by his foals at the Tattersalls December Sale, where they generated some exceptional results.”
The winner of the G1 Dewhurst Stakes and the G1 2000 Guineas, Chaldean’s first Northern Hemisphere crop were well received, averaging £106,107 (AU$199,990) to see the stallion finish 2025 as the leading first crop sire at the weanling sales.
“I doubt many young stallions in New Zealand have received the calibre of mares he has in his first two crops, and we expect the buying bench will be drawn to them here as well.”
“I doubt many young stallions in New Zealand have received the calibre of mares he (Chaldean) has in his first two crops.” - Scott Calder
New Zealand’s Champion First Season Sire in 2024/25, Hello Youmzain has taken his stakes winners record to 11 in the beginning of 2026, four of which are in New Zealand and four have struck in the 2025/26 season; juvenile filly Enchantment (NZ) became his 11th a week ago with victory in the Listed Welcome Stakes, while 3-year-old Hello Hayley (NZ) secured back to back stakes wins in the Listed Southland Guineas and Listed Dunedin Guineas in February.
Hello Youmzain (Fr) | Standing at Cambridge Stud, NZ
The son of Kodiac (GB) realised a new best filly price in the Southern Hemisphere in 2026 when a filly from the immediate family of G1 Queensland Derby winner Pinarello (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner Vernazza (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}) sold for NZ$320,000 at Karaka.
“Hello Youmzain has had a very productive season, and an impressive winners-to-runners strike rate is becoming a hallmark of his in both hemispheres,” Calder said. “He has produced black-type-winning two and 3-year-olds, and I’m looking forward to his first crop turning four, as that is when he reached his peak in the G1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot.”
“I’m looking forward to his (Hello Youmzain's) first crop turning four, as that is when he reached his peak in the G1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot.” - Scott Calder
First Five flies flag for Almanzor
Almanzor (Fr) receives a small reduction to his fee in 2026, and will stand for NZ$25,000 plus GST down from NZ$30,000 plus GST. Nevertheless, the son of Wootton Bassett (GB) has had another strong season so far that sees him sit sixth in the New Zealand general sires’ table with five stakes winners, all at Group level, and already matching the prizemoney he finished last season with.
Almanzor (Fr) | Standing at Cambridge Stud, NZ
He produced his fourth individual Group 1 winner this season with First Five (NZ), whose unbeaten run at the beginning of the year encompassed the G3 J Swap Sprint, the G1 Telegraph Stakes, and the G1 BCD Sprint.
“Almanzor keeps showing that he is a dependable source of black-type winners, and adding a Group 1 weight-for-age sprinter this season is another string to his bow,” Calder said.
“Adding a Group 1 weight-for-age sprinter (First Five) this season is another string to his (Almanzor's) bow.” - Scott Calder
Of his 30 stakes winners to date, 19 have recorded victories in Australasia. On the international stage, Almanzor has been represented by Gezora (Fr), winner of the G1 Prix de Diane and the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at the end of 2025.
“In the sale ring this year, he achieved a 100% clearance rate for his 34 yearlings at Karaka, no mean feat for any stallion,” said Calder. “At his fee, I think he offers breeders an appealing mix of racetrack credibility and commercial upside.”
Embellish (NZ) completes the Cambridge Stud roster in 2026 and will remain at the same fee of NZ$5000 plus GST.
Embellish (NZ) | Standing at Cambridge Stud, NZ
The son of Savabeel has produced new stakes winners already this season in both Australia and New Zealand; 3-year-old filly Ultimate Habit (NZ) broke her maiden in style in the G2 Lowland Stakes before running a highly credible sixth in the G1 New Zealand Oaks, while fellow 3-year-old Kazaru (NZ) lifted to secure the Listed Tasmanian Oaks, before running fourth in the G3 Auraria Stakes on resumption this month.
“If you are looking to breed a racehorse on a budget, Embellish does the job very well,” Calder said.
“From a low fee and with just over 100 runners, he has already sired six stakes winners. He also grabbed headlines at the sales when one of his daughters topped Book 2 at Karaka, selling for $200,000 to Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.”
Embellish is on track to exceed his record for winners in a season from a small pool of numbers, and has begun to build a strong record in Hong Kong, with four winners from five runners in the jurisdiction to date.
