After protracted negotiations, the three-state operation has hammered out a deal for a majority share-holding in the Greg Hickman-trained top-liner Pierata (Pierro).
For some time, Aquis has been chasing the 5-year-old, who will run in the $14 million The TAB Everest slot for the Fung family, owners of the progressive breeding and racing operation with bases in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
“It’s certainly quite a relief to secure him for stud duties. He’s been on our radar for a while and he’s by an unbeaten champion 2-year-old out of a daughter of a champion broodmare sire,” Aquis Chief Executive Officer Shane McGrath said.
Pierata is a son of the G3 Millie Fox S. winner November Flight (Flying Spur), also the dam of the G3 Skyline S. winner and G1 Golden Rose S. placegetter Ashokan (More Than Ready {USA}).
Bred by Hobartville Stud, Pierata was purchased by Hickman for $160,000 out of Kitchwin Hills’ draft top at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
“He’s got all the pedigree and performance and he’s a grand-looking horse,” McGrath said. “We know the appetite for these horses in the commercial market and it’s exciting now to take part in the rest of his racing career and have him at the stud here in 2020.”
“He’s got all the pedigree and performance and he’s a grand-looking horse.” - Shane McGrath.
Pierata will be ensured a high-quality book in his first season at Aquis.
“We’ve got a broodmare band that will give him every opportunity and between us and our partners and growing client base he’ll have a great start. He’s every commercial breeder’s dream,” McGrath said.
“We’ve got a sizeable broodmare band and we support our own stallions. There will be a line-up of mares here that will be the envy of any stallion master.
Pierata will be ensured a high-quality book in his first season at Aquis
“He could be the next young champion sire in the making and it shows where the farm is heading. He’s the horse we wanted to secure and they don’t come along too often.
“He’s got pure speed and he’s adaptable enough to be equally effective on top of the ground as we saw when he won the Gold Coast Guineas and we saw at Randwick where he won the Shorts on soft ground.
“He could be the next young champion sire in the making and it shows where the farm is heading. He’s the horse we wanted to secure and they don’t come along too often.” – Shane McGrath.
“That versatility is a huge factor as well. He’s certainly good looking and he’s got a lot of racing in front of him.
“Greg Hickman says he’s never had him better so he’s obviously going to run in the Aquis slot in The Everest so it’s very exciting going forward and it’s given everyone a boost around the farm.”
Pierata has won eight of his 21 starts, including the G1 All-Aged S., twice at both Group 2 and Group 3 level and has earned more than $3.6 million.
McGrath said all racing avenues for Pierata would be explored after The Everest with Royal Ascot, Hong Kong and Dubai in the mix before he begins the next phase of his career at Aquis’ Hunter Valley base.
