Eureka Stud announced on Friday that they have welcomed Graff to their roster for the 2026 season where the sire of $2 million earner Grafterburners will stand for $9900 inc GST. The proven sire joins Don Corleone and Encryption at the stud for his sixth breeding season.
“We are delighted to have secured an interest in Graff to stand him in partnership with Australian Bloodstock,” said Eureka Stud’s Angus McAlpine. “They are firm believers in the immense ability and toughness he had as a racehorse, and are bullish in their support of him after seeing these qualities being passed onto his progeny.”
“Australian Bloodstock... are bullish in their support of him (Graff) after seeing these qualities being passed onto his progeny.” - Angus McAlpine
Group 1 talent comes to Queensland
An unbeaten 2-year-old for Kris Lees - including winning the $125,000 Clarendon Stakes - Graff returned at three to win the G3 San Domenico Stakes, and record placings in the G2 Run To The Rose and the G1 Golden Rose Stakes behind The Autumn Sun. He attracted the attention of slotholders for the $13 million The Everest, where he finished fifth to Redzel (Snitzel) and Trapeze Artist.
Graff will stand for $9900 inc GST in 2026 | Standing at Eureka Stud
Back in the autumn, Graff was twice fourth at Group 1 level by a length or less, first behind In Her Time (Time Thief) in the G1 Lightning Stakes, before repeating the performance behind Sunlight (Zoustar) in the G1 Newmarket Handicap.
Returning at four and five, Graff held his own multiple times in Group company before striking in the G2 Caulfield Sprint to complete his record. He bowed out from the race track with four wins and over $1.3 million in earnings.
From two crops to race, Graff has produced 23 winners headed by six-time winner Grafterburners, winner of the Listed Gold Edition Plate, the $3 million Sunlight Plate, and the $500,000 QTIS 2YO Jewel, as well as running third placings in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint, behind Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) and Devil Night, and the G2 Champagne Classic.
Grafterburners | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Graff has also been represented by Listed Oxlade Stakes placegetter Royal Chic, and added his 23rd winner on Friday when 3-year-old I Am Steffi broke through at Grafton.
A sire to take advantage of
In the sales ring, Graff’s progeny have sold for up to $100,000 in 2026, up to 11 times his service fee at the time of conception, and 20% of his raced colts and geldings have recently been acquired by Hong Kong interests. They will head to the stables of prominent trainers such as John Size, James Cummings, and Chris So.
These are all factors that Eureka Stud’s Harry McAlpine believes makes the sire all the more appealing to Queensland breeders.
“There's a big gap in the Queensland stallion market for a nice young proven stallion,” he said. “That has been a niche we have been trying to fill, and we have certainly been looking hard. Australian Bloodstock have been very bullish on Graff from the start and they have approached us a few times this year about standing him.
Angus, Scott and Harry McAlpine | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Because they kept coming to us, we started to look at him seriously as a prospect for Queensland. Obviously his best offspring are trained up in Queensland, and Grafterburners looks like a Group 1 horse in the making, like his father was.
“So the synergy was there for him to come up to Queensland.”
Graff has 203 foals on the ground and covered 42 in 2025, and Harry believes it won’t be hard to see those books increase once Queensland breeders realise he will be available to them this spring.
“I think he (Graff) will get the support he truly deserves in Queensland.” - Harry McAlpine
“In the Hunter, he may have gotten a little overlooked, but he has done plenty in his first two crops to merit people’s attention,” he said. “It is great to add a nice, fertile stallion to the ranks here, especially one that has shown this much promise already. I think he will get the support he truly deserves in Queensland.”
