Cover image courtesy of Darley
At this time of year, speculation on stallion prospects' future stud placement heats up the rumour mill. While many of the leading stallion farms stake their claims through colt funds at the yearling sales, there are still plenty of commercial options that escape an early acquisition - we take a look at the entires currently racing who may yet find a place at stud.
2-Year-Olds
Let’s begin with the newest cohort, the 2-year-olds. While the fillies have largely taken the spotlight, securing victories in the G1 Blue Diamond S. and the G1 Golden Slipper, the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic showcased the impressive talents of Storm Boy (Justify {USA}). Additionally, several other colts have delivered notable performances this season.
Coleman
Pierata x Sboog (Redoute’s Choice)
Race Record: 5:2-1-1
Major performance/s: G3 Chairman’s S., Listed Debutant S., 2nd G1 Golden Slipper
Sale Info: $550,000 purchase by Matt Laurie Racing and Justin Bahen from the draft of Kulani Park at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Coleman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Trained by Matt Laurie, Coleman, a son of Yulong’s first-season sire Pierata, made a significant impression in October with a standout performance on debut at Caulfield, winning the Listed Debutant S. He returned to the track in February at Caulfield's G3 Chairman’s S., reaffirming his talent. While he faced challenges in the G1 Blue Diamond S., finishing unplaced, seemingly having an off day.
Coleman bounced back with a strong third-place finish in the G3 Pago Pago S. at Rosehill. His brilliance was further made evident when he emerged as the first colt in the G1 Golden Slipper, trailing only behind Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon).
Coleman’s dam Sboog, a daughter of Redoute’s Choice, was a $1 million purchase by Gerald Ryan at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is a half-sister to the Group 1-producing sire Rothesay. Coleman is half-brother to the dual Listed winner Liwa (Mulaazem).
Bodyguard
I Am Invincible x Tumooh (Fastnet Rock)
Race Record: 4:2-0-0
Major Performance/s: G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings), Listed Maribyrnong Trial S.
Sale Info: $1.6 million purchase by the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership from the draft of Emirates Park at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Bodyguard | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Most would have remembered the debut performance of the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Bodyguard. The son of Australia’s reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible, was a 2l winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. down the Flemington straight.
Bodyguard won the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) and was one of the frontrunners for the G1 Blue Diamond S. before he was scratched by Racing Victoria veterinary staff on the eve of the event. He most recently finished 14th in the G1 Golden Slipper S.
A testament to his type, Bodyguard was a $1.6 million yearling purchase by James Harron of the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership. Harron has purchased proven sire Capitalist and exciting freshman King’s Legacy.
Bodyguard’s pedigree packs plenty of punch. His dam, Tumooh, a daughter of Fastnet Rock, was unraced but is a daughter of the G1 Golden Slipper victress Mossfun (Mossman).
Espionage
Zoustar x In Times Of War (Street Cry {Ire})
Race Record: 3:1-1-0
Major Performance/s: G3 Breeders’ Plate, 2nd G2 Silver Slipper S.
Sale Info: $1 million purchase by the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership from the draft of Baramul Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Espionage | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Historically, winners of the G3 Breeders’ Plate have been popular stallion propositions. The likes of Capitalist, Pierro, Snitzel, Choisir and Sebring have saluted in the event and forged successful stallion careers.
Espionage, like Bodyguard, was purchased by the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership and was a $1 million yearling. The colt’s dam, In Times Of War (Street Cry {Ire}), won three races and is the daughter of the former brilliant juvenile, Military Rose (General Nediym).
Military Rose won the G2 Reisling S. and was placed in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Espionage most recently finished 5th in the G2 Todman S., and won a trial on Tuesday.
Dublin Down
Exceedance x Dublin Lass (O’Reilly {NZ})
Race Record: 6:2-1-0
Major Performance/s: G3 Pago Pago S., G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Sale Info: $370,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the draft of Edinburgh Park at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Dublin Down | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Dublin Down has been a standout performer for Vinery Stud’s first-season sire Exceedance, a victor of the G1 Coolmore Stud S.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained colt was fourth on debut in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. behind Bodyguard. Dublin Down was then placed at Bendigo before improving to win the G3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.
He was unplaced upon resumption in the G1 Blue Diamond S. (first run since November), then showed his best when securing the G3 Pago Pago S. at Rosehill.
The son of Exceedance is listed as currently in the spelling paddock. Still, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch of the imagination for the Dublin Down to potentially return as a better 3-year-old.
Dublin Down’s dam Dublin Lass (O’Reilly {NZ}) won seven races, including two Listed events and was placed in a Group 3.
Stud positions locked in
Several colts have already been acquired by prominent studs, while others remain with racing operations that are poised to stand them upon retirement, given their promising career trajectories.
Coolmore announced their purchase of standout juvenile Storm Boy last month. The son of exceptional stallion Justify (USA) boasts victories in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the G3 BJ McLachlan S., and the G2 Skyline S.
Straight Charge (Written By), winner of the G2 Silver Slipper, is owned by Yulong. Meanwhile, Switzerland (Snitzel), triumphant in the G2 Todman S., represents the Coolmore navy blue. Prost (Snitzel), who clinched the G2 Canonbury S., races under a consortium that includes Kia Ora Stud, while fourth in the Golden Slipper, Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}), the G2 Sires’ Produce victor, is a homebred for Godolphin.
Notable colts with Newgate ownership include Holmes A Court (Capitalist), winner of the G3 Black Opal S., and High Octane (Deep Field), a Listed winner.
3-Year-Olds
While there have been concerns from form and rating experts about the strength of this 3-year-old generation, recent weeks have seen several shine on the big stage against older horses.
Just last Saturday, Veight (Grunt {NZ}) secured victory in the G1 George Ryder S., and earlier in the month, Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) triumphed in the G1 Newmarket H.
Veight
Grunt {NZ} x Neena Rock (Fastnet Rock)
Race Record: 11:5-2-0
Major Performance/s: G1 George Ryder S., G2 Australia S., G2 Sires’ Produce, G3 HDF McNeil S. 2nd G1 Caulfield Guineas, 2nd G1 Australian Guineas
Sale Info: $100,000 purchase by Sledmere Stud and Cangon from the draft of Yulong from the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale. $220,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Veight | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Veight has been a standout performer for the Yulong-based Grunt (NZ). A dominant winner on debut at Pakenham, Veight took that form to the G2 Sires’ Produce S. at Flemington saluting in impressive fashion.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained galloper clinched his Group 1 in last Saturday’s G1 George Ryder S., a race with an honour roll that includes Anamoe, Pierro and Winx.
Additionally, Veight has beaten the older horses in the 1200-metre Australia S. and was placed in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G1 Australian Guineas. His sire Grunt (NZ) won two Group 1 races - the G1 Australian Guineas and the G1 Makybe Diva S. Meanwhile, his dam, Neena Rock, a daughter of Fastnet Rock, won two Group 3 races.
Southport Tycoon
Written Tycoon x Ready To Rule {USA} (More Than Ready {USA})
Race Record: 7:3-3-0
Major Performance/s: G1 Australian Guineas, 2nd G2 Australia S., 2nd G2 Autumn S., 2nd G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
Sale Info: $300,000 purchase by Bennett Racing from the draft of Daandine Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Southport Tycoon | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
While Bennett Racing advised after Southport Tycoon won the G1 Australian Guineas that stallion deals were being considered, nothing has yet been confirmed.
The son of Yulong’s Champion Sire Written Tycoon is set to chase further Group 1 glory in the G1 Doncaster H. in April. Southport Tycoon’s dam Ready To Rule, a daughter of More Than Ready (USA) is from the family dual Group 1 winner and Newgate Farm-based freshman Artorius. Meanwhile, this is also the family of the G1 VRC Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal {USA}).
Celestial Legend
Dundeel x Sarraqa (Snitzel)
Race Record: 7:3-2-0
Major Performance/s: G1 Randwick Guineas, G2 Hobartville S.
Sale Info: $220,000 purchase by Legend Racing and Avenue Bloodstock from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Celestial Legend | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Randwick-based horseman Les Bridge has trained many top-class gallopers but believes Celestial Legend is up with the best of them. The grey son of Dundeel (NZ) claimed his maiden Group 1 in the Randwick Guineas when he denied Militarize (NZ), a triple Group 1-winning son of Dundeel. Celestial Legend’s dam, Sarraqa, is an unraced daughter of Arrowfield’s four-time Champion Sire Snitzel.
Sarraqa is a daughter of the Champion South African Sprinter National Colour (SAf) (National Assembly {Can}). She has produced two Group 1 winners in Rafeef and Mustaaqeem, who was a $1.75 million purchase by Shadwell Stud Australasia from the 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
King Colorado
Kingman {GB} x More Aspen {USA} (More Than Ready {USA})
Race Record: 11-2-2-0
Major Performance/s: G1 JJ Atkins S., 2nd G3 Manfred S., 2nd G3 CS Hayes S.
Sale Info: not offered at public auction.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
King Colorado | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
King Colorado is a 2-year-old Group 1-winning son of elite international sire Kingman (GB). The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper is from a deep international family.
King Colorado’s dam, More Aspen (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) won twice, including the Listed Singspiel S. at Meydam. She was also placed in the G2 Cape Verdi S. at the venue.
King Colorado’s third dam, Northern Aspen (USA) (Northern Dancer {Can}) was victorious in the G1 Gamely H. and the G2 Prix d’Astarte. Additionally, she was placed in the G1 Santa Ana H. and the G1 Santa Barbara H. and is from the family of the Champion galloper Dubai Millennium (GB), who is the sire of the outstanding Dubawi (Ire).
Stud careers await
Several 3-year-old colts have stud affiliations, with Newgate Farm holding a strong hand being set to stand G1 Coolmore Stud S. victor Ozzmosis (Zoustar) and the triple Group 1 winner Militarize. Arrowfield Stud has also secured breeding rights to the talented son of Dundeel.
Newgate Farm also holds interests in King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible), the winner of the G2 Roman Consul S., and Don Corelone (Extreme Choice), who placed in the G1 Sires’ Produce S.
Godolphin owns Cylinder, the hero of the G1 Newmarket H., and Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}), the victor of the G1 Spring Champion S., who is nominated for Saturday’s G1 Tancred S.
Last year’s G1 Golden Slipper winner Shinzo (Snitzel), raced by Coolmore Stud, is gearing up to make a comeback in Saturday's G3 Star Kingdom S. following epiglottic entrapment surgery.
4-Year-Olds
Several 4-year-old stallion prospects have continued their racing careers rather than retiring to stud. Among these promising contenders is Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible). Below, we profile some of these 4-year-olds, including those already aligned with stallion operations.
Hawaii Five Oh
I Am Invincible x Aloha (Encosta De Lago)
Race Record: 12: 3-3-2
Major Performance/s: G3 Fred Best Classic, G3 Hawkesbury Guineas, 3rd G1 Stradbroke H., 2nd G2 Premiere S.
Sale Info: not offered at public auction.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Hawaii Five Oh | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
The royally bred Hawaii Five Oh, a son of I Am Invincible, is the sixth foal from the G1 Coolmore Classic victress Aloha (Encosta De Lago). She is the dam of the late Libertini (I Am Invincible), a victress of the G2 Premiere S., the G2 Silver Shadow S. and the G2 Furious S.
Additionally, Libertini showed her class with placings in the G1 Coolmore Stud S., the G1 VRC Sprint Classic and the G1 William Reid S. Hawaii Five Oh nearly emulated his sister when finishing second in the G2 Premiere S. finding only the subsequent The Everest winner Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) too tough on that occasion. He then also bested the son of I Am Invincible in the G1 Stradbroke H.
Although not secured for stud, his co-owner Gerry Harvey is in the ownership of Vinery.
Cannonball
Capitalist x Golconda (Snitzel)
Race Record: 13: 3-0-2
Major Performance/s: G3 Maurice McCarten S., Listed Redoute’s Choice S. 3rd G1 The Galaxy, 3rd G2 Danehill S.
Sale Info: $975,000 purchase by James Harron Bloodstock from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Cannonball
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Cannonball (Capitalist) remains in training as a 4-year-old stallion. Connections thought enough of Cannonball to take him to Royal Ascot after placing in the G1 The Galaxy to contest the G1 King Stand S. and the G1 QEII Jubilee S.
Cannonball failed to find his best in the Northern Hemisphere and hasn’t trialled publicly since November. Cannonball’s dam, Golconda (Snitzel) won a Listed race and placed in the G1 VRC Oaks. Additionally, she is the dam of the Group 2 winner Marine One (Capitalist).
Buenos Noches
Supido x Koi (Northern Meteor)
Race Record: 14:3-2-2
Major Performance/s: G3 Show Country Quality H., Listed Poseidon S. 2nd G1 VRC Sprint, 3rd G1 Coolmore Stud S.
Sale Info: $40,000 purchase Matthew C Smith Racing from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Buenos Noches | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Buenos Noches, a son of the Widden Stud-based Supido, has been a surprise packet. The now 4-year-old made people take notice when he claimed the Listed Poseidon S. at Flemington before finishing second to Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in G2 Danehill S.
He further enhanced his credentials with a placing in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. as a 3-year-old and showed his affinity with the course when second in the G1 VRC Sprint to the 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).
Attrition
Churchill {Ire} x Queen's Kiss (French Deputy {USA})
Race Record: 11: 3-2-2
Major Performance/s: G1 Toorak H. 2nd G1 Australian Guineas, 2nd G2 PB Lawrence S.
Sale Info: $180,000 purchase by Mitch Freedman Racing from the draft of Mill Park Stud at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Status: no stud deal confirmed.
Attrition | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The son of Churchill (Ire) went close to Group 1 glory as a 3-year-old in the Australian Guineas but found his groove as a 4-year-old when he prevailed in the G1 Toorak H. beating the progressive Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}).
Attrition’s sire, Churchill, was an outstanding miler by the Champion Sire Galileo (Ire). To date the Coolmore-based sire has 19 stakes winners, including the brilliant filly Blue Rose Cen (Ire) and the dual Group 1 victor Vadeni (Fr).
Stud beckons
Other 4-year-olds to have remained in training with stud affiliations, include the Godolphin-bred pair, Golden Mile and Aft Cabin, both sons of Darley’s Astern. Golden Mile won the G1 Caulfield Guineas and three other Group victories.
Meanwhile, Aft Cabin was successful in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint and the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the G3 Eskmio Prince S.
Doull (Snitzel), a $1.2 million yearling, won the G2 Caulfield Sprint. He is raced by the Rosemont Victorian Alliance, and likely will stand at Rosemont Stud upon retirement.
Lofty Strike (Snitzel) was recently secured by Swettenham for stud duties.
