Cover image courtesy of Rich Hill Stud
Rich Hill Stud’s latest fee announcement reflects both confidence and pragmatism, with Managing Director John Thompson opting to reward breeders through measured adjustments while maintaining a strong, results-driven lineup across all tiers of the market.
Rich Hill Stud’s stallions have again delivered across the board, capping another 12 months of racetrack achievement and sale-ring strength throughout Australasia.
In setting the 2026 fees, Thompson has provided breeders with access to proven sires at considered levels. Proisir has been eased from NZ$70,000 (plus GST) to NZ$65,000 (plus GST), while the reliable Shocking drops from NZ$10,000 (plus GST) to NZ$8,000 (plus GST). Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and Ace High remain unchanged at NZ$45,000 (plus GST) and NZ$15,000 (plus GST) respectively.
“It has been another exceptional season for our stallions, who continue to deliver outstanding results for breeders both on the racetrack and in the sale ring,” Thompson said.
“It has been another exceptional season for our stallions, who continue to deliver outstanding results for breeders both on the racetrack and in the sale ring.” - John Thompson
“We are proud to present a line-up of proven sires that have achieved success across all our major markets.”
| Proisir | NZ$65,000 | NZ$70,000 | 95 |
| Satono Aladdin | NZ$45,000 | NZ$45,000 | 98 |
| Ace High | NZ$15,000 | NZ$15,000 | 67 |
| Shocking | NZ$8000 | NZ$10,000 | 63 |
Table: 2026 service fees for Rich Hill Stud's stallion roster, all fees plus GST
Proisir the powerhouse heads the line-up
Proisir has further underlined his standing among the Southern Hemisphere’s elite, producing four individual Group One performers this season. Among them, standout multiple elite winners Waitak (NZ) and Legarto (NZ) each added two Group 1 victories during the season to their already impressive records, while the promising 3-year-old filly Fairy Dream (NZ) captured the G3 Desert Gold Stakes.
He currently leads the New Zealand sires’ premiership and is firmly in the hunt for a second Champion Sire title, with Savabeel close behind in a competitive race.
Proisir | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
In total, Proisir has sired 24 stakes winners, including the Group 1 winners Legarto, Levante (NZ), Waitak, Prowess (NZ), Dark Destroyer (NZ), and Pier (NZ). His stakes winners-to-runners strike rate sits at 5.6%, with stakes performers at 11.6%, notable figures given his comparatively modest beginnings both service fee wise and the quality of mares he was serving
That success has translated seamlessly to the sales ring. At the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, a Trelawney Stud offered colt out of Ruqqaya (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}) realised NZ$600,000, while in Australia a filly from Yarraman Park Stud out of Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) made $700,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Across the major sales, his yearlings have averaged NZ$194,000 in Book 1 of Karaka, $303,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and $366,000 at Easter.
John Thompson | Image courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
Proisir is also set to feature prominently at the 2026 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, where Attunga Stud will offer champion mare Legarto, whose profile ensures significant attention.
With 52 yearlings catalogued for Karaka Book 1 in 2025 and 54 in 2026, alongside strong representation in Australia, the depth of his upcoming runners is notable.
“We are confident he (Proisir) will continue to build on what is already an outstanding stud record.” Thompson
“These are significantly upgraded books in terms of pedigree compared to his earlier crops, and we are confident he will continue to build on what is already an outstanding stud record,” Thompson said.
Satono Aladdin continues to deliver
Satono Aladdin (Jpn) will again stand in partnership with Shadai Stallion Station, and the Group 1-winning son of Deep Impact (Jpn) continues to build a compelling profile in Australasia.
Operating at a 12.4% stakes winners-to-runners strike rate, his consistency has been a defining feature. This season he added Group winners Bozo (NZ), Lupo Solitario (NZ), Magic Carpet (NZ), and Satono Glow (NZ), the latter claiming the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington as a 2-year-old for trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton.
His commercial appeal remains equally strong. Highlights include a NZ$500,000 filly from Curraghmore out of Avisto (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Karaka, and a Widden Stud-offered filly out of Legramor (NZ) (Commands) selling for $575,000 on the Gold Coast.
Satono Aladin (Jpn) | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
At the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, a Riversley Park offered colt out of Shezdelicious (NZ) (Atlante) brought NZ$675,000, having previously been purchased for NZ$130,000 as a yearling.
Across key auctions, his progeny have averaged NZ$201,000 at Karaka, $412,000 at Magic Millions, and $192,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
With more than 120 foals in each of his next two crops approaching racing age, his influence is set to expand.
“We expect Satono Aladdin’s profile to rise significantly over the coming racing seasons.” - John Thompson
“We expect Satono Aladdin’s profile to rise significantly over the coming racing seasons. He now has strong numbers of well-bred progeny, placed with many of Australasia’s leading stables,” Thompson said.
Ace High a stallion on the rise
Ace High, a dual Group 1-winning son of High Chaparral (Ire), continues to gather momentum within the New Zealand ranks.
This season he has produced four Australasian stakes winners and 11 individual stakes performers, headlined by Group 1 winner She’s A Dealer (NZ) and the Australian Group 2 winner She’s A Hustler (NZ).
While his own racing profile pointed to stamina - as a winner of both the G1 Victoria Derby and G1 Spring Champion Stakes - his progeny have shown notable versatility.
Ace High | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
Blind Raise (NZ) underlined that adaptability with a Listed juvenile win at Flemington last Saturday, while Kitty Flash (NZ) has been competitive at stakes level over sprint trips, including stakes placings behind the dual Group 1 winner First Five (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and the classy Platinum Attack (Santos).
In the sale ring, Ace High reached NZ$380,000 at the 2025 Karaka Ready to Run Sale, averaging NZ$171,000. Despite smaller yearling numbers, he posted a top of NZ$160,000 at Karaka Book 2 with the filly out of Maenoha (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {USA}).
“Ace High’s progeny are continuing to show they can perform at the elite level as they mature and step up in distance.” - John Thompson
“Ace High’s progeny are continuing to show they can perform at the elite level as they mature and step up in distance. We are very excited about his future and expect his upward trajectory to continue,” Thompson said.
Shocking offers proven value
Shocking, the dual Group 1-winning son of Street Cry (Ire), remains a cornerstone of the roster and presents clear value at his adjusted fee.
He has enjoyed another strong season, with progeny continuing to perform at a high level. El Vencedor (NZ) and Here To Shock (NZ) have both competed with distinction in top company, while Azazel (NZ) added further black-type success in Victoria.
Shocking | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
A dependable commercial sire, Shocking’s stock continues to appeal across yearling, Ready to Run and trial markets. He led the Karaka Book 2 Yearling Sale averages (three or more sold) this year at NZ$121,667.
“Shocking is an established sire of high-class racehorses. He offers breeders access to a proven stallion at exceptional value,” Thompson said.
“Shocking is an established sire of high-class racehorses. He offers breeders access to a proven stallion at exceptional value.” - John Thompson
Across the roster, Rich Hill’s approach is clear - proven performance, realistic pricing and a depth of opportunity for breeders at every level, all underpinned by results that continue to resonate on both sides of the Tasman.
