Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Vinery Stud has announced an exciting new addition to the Segenhoe-based nursery: the regally bred Hawaii Five Oh, a son of the Australian reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible, will stand his debut season this spring at a fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Vinery Stud’s General Manager Peter Orton is delighted with the opportunity to stand Hawaii Five Oh, given the strength of his pedigree. Orton feels the Gerry Harvey co-owned 4-year-old entire complements the current Vinery Stud roster of six.
“Gerry Harvey is a big part of Vinery; he owns Hawaii Five Oh with his friends. Gerry was keen for him to stand here upon retirement, and he’s very keen to use and support Hawaii Five Oh.”
Hawaii Five Oh | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Speaking on the physical conformation of Hawaii Five Oh, Orton added, “He’s a beautiful-looking horse. He's big, strong, and well-balanced, beautifully conformed. He’s a perfect individual, and he will pass it on clearly.”
Blueblood
Hawaii Five Oh, a son of I Am Invincible, who is poised to claim the title of Australia’s Leading General Sire for the third time, boasting earnings of $27,652,727, over $9 million more than his closest pursuer.
He is the sixth foal from Aloha, a high-class daughter of Encosta De Lago. He was a highly influential sire and has also made a significant impact through his daughters, earning him the title of Australian Champion Broodmare Sire on multiple occasions. Currently, Encosta De Lago sits second on the Australian Champion Broodmare Sires’ premiership behind Fastnet Rock.
Aloha raced away with the G1 Coolmore Classic in 2011 | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Aloha was no slouch on the track. She won eight races and is one of 26 individual Group 1 winners sired by Encosta De Lago. Aloha claimed the G1 Coolmore Classic, and had further stakes success in the G3 Frances Tressady S. and the Listed Lord S.
Additionally, she was placed in a number of stakes races, including the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic and was fourth in the George Ryder S. and the G1 Schweppes Oaks. Aloha has also made her mark in the breeding barn - her third foal, Libertini, a full sister to Hawaii Five Oh, was one of the most talented runners of her generation.
Libertini won five races - the G2 Premiere S., G2 Silver Shadow S., G2 Furious S. and the Listed Woodlands S. The daughter of I Am Invincible was placed in the G1 Coolmore Stud S., the G1 VRC Sprint Classic and the G1 William Reid S. among several other notable performances.
Unfortunately, Libertini died in 2022. However, Aloha and her daughter aren’t the only names with black type in the family, with Aloha being a daughter of Listed Ottawa S. victress Tennessee Midnight (Danehill {USA}), who is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Malaguerra (Magnus).
Other notable members of the family, include the G1 Champagne S. victress Seabrook (Hinchinbrook), My Emotion (NZ) (Savabeel) a winner of the G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic and the G1 Diamond S. victor Cool Aza Beel (NZ).
“He’s got a great depth of pedigree. Hawaii Five Oh is out of a champion, Aloha, who won a Group 1, and of course, he’s by a Champion Sire,” Orton told TTR AusNZ.
“The stallions on his dam side, Encosta De Lago, Danehill, and Bletchingly alone have claimed 14 Australian Sires Titles between them.
“Also, Hawaii Five Oh shares similarities with his sire. He was a Group 3 winner (Hawkesbury Guineas and Fred Best Classic) just like his father, and he was always there and about.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
“Hawaii Five Oh was always running against good horses. He’s a perfect horse for people to breed to, knowing the strength of his pedigree, performance, and physique.
“Hawaii Five Oh was always running against good horses. He’s a perfect horse for people to breed to, knowing the strength of his pedigree, performance, and physique.” - Peter Orton
“Pedigree is very important to Vinery Stud, and it is an amazingly active family. He’s a full brother to Libertini, who was arguably a bit unlucky during her racing career. But these horses are all Group quality horses.
“They’re athletically superior, and then you’ve got that strength of pedigree; anything can happen.”
Peter Orton | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The three Ps
In addition to a superb pedigree and an eye-catching physique, Hawaii Five Oh was a speedy performer.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the son of I Am Invincible demonstrated brilliance throughout his career. He secured three victories ranging from 1200 to 1400 metres, with stakes victories in the G3 Fred Best Classic and the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas.
He was placed in the G1 Stradbroke H. behind subsequent The Everest winner, Think About It (So You Think {NZ}), and Group 1 winner Rothfire (Rothesay).
He ran second to Think About It in the G2 Premiere S., beating home quality runners Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}), and Zapateo (Brazen Beau).
“Hawaii Five Oh fits a lot of criteria and offers breeders good value at $16,500 (inc GST). He had brilliant form, placing in the G1 Stradbroke H. and was posted four-wide in The Everest, where he finished a very creditable sixth, beaten only 2.3l.
“Hawaii Five Oh fits a lot of criteria and offers breeders good value at $16,500 (inc GST).” - Peter Orton
“You have to consider whether this horse was athletically superior. Yes, he may not have a Group 1 victory to his name, but he consistently competed at that level.
“Physically, he’s just a beautiful horse. I truly believe he will pass on these traits to his offspring.”
Hawaii Five Oh clearing away with the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas in 2023 | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Vinery Stud hasn’t announced a new stallion since Ole Kirk retired in 2021. However, Orton admits that the opportunity to stand Hawaii Five Oh was too good to pass up, and the excitement of launching a new stallion is something his team looks forward to.
“We’re fairly stringent on stallion prospects, and pedigree is important. Hawaii Five Oh fits the model well.
“We’re fairly stringent on stallion prospects, and pedigree is important. Hawaii Five Oh fits the model well.” - Peter Orton
“It’s a fantastic opportunity, and it’s always exciting to introduce a new horse. We’ve been very happy with what our youngest members on the roster are doing - Exceedance and Ole Kirk.
“So, we’re thrilled. Pedigree really does drive our industry, and Hawaii Five Oh has the pedigree we’re all striving for.”
Hawaii Five Oh’s breeder, Gerry Harvey, has committed an elite lineup of his Baramul Stud mares to support this exciting young stallion.
The strong support from his own birthplace will include mares such as G1 Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent (Redoute’s Choice), Group winner and Group 1-placed She’s Ideel (Dundeel {NZ}), as well as stakes winners No Evidence Needed (Shamardal {USA}) and Me Me Lagarde (Star Turn).
Highlights among the proven-producing mares to visit him this season will include the dam of Te Akau’s 2024 Group 1-winning juvenile Move To Strike (I Am Invincible), the dam of G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Prince Fawaz, and the dams of stakes winners Best Of Bordeaux, The Elanora (Redoute’s Choice), and Vienna Princess (Snitzel).
