What's happening in the New Zealand stallion scene?

Cover image courtesy of Waikato Stud

In Thursday's edition of The Thoroughbred Report, TTR AusNZ recaps the new stallions to New Zealand, those who have moved on, and those with significant fee increases.

This season in New Zealand, there’s a real European flavour to the stallion ranks. Cambridge Stud has bolstered its roster with the arrival of Chaldean (GB), a son of Frankel (GB), joining other Northern visitors Almanzor (Fr) and Hello Youmzain (Fr).

Meanwhile, Windsor Park Stud will welcome Paddington (GB), a son of Siyouni (Fr), alongside Circus Maximus (Ire).

The bear arrives at Windsor

Earlier in the year, Windsor Park Stud announced that Coolmore’s Champion 3-Year-Old Paddington (GB) would join its roster this spring at an introductory fee of NZ$35,000 (plus GST). The son of Siyouni (Fr) won seven races, including the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes.

Paddington was then successful in beating older horses in the G1 Sussex S. and the Eclipse S. His dam, Modern Eagle (Ger), is a daughter of Montjeu (Ire), who also shuttled to Windsor Park Stud during his career.

There is plenty of excitement at Windsor Park Stud with the arrival of fellow European Circus Maximus, whose first Southern Hemisphere-bred runners will hit the track in the new season. The son of Galileo (Ire) has already sired a winner from four runners with his first Northern Hemisphere 2-year-olds.

Meanwhile, Windsor Park Stud and breeders eagerly anticipate the first foals from the G1 Spring Champion S. winner Profondo, a son of Deep Impact (Jpn).

Son of Frankel for Cambridge Stud

Forging a partnership with Juddmonte Farms, Cambridge Stud struck a deal to bring Chaldean (GB), a winner of the G1 Dewhurst Stakes and the G1 2000 Guineas, to New Zealand.

As outlined in The Thoroughbred Report’s Matings Mix with Cambridge Stud, the son of Frankel (GB) will be heavily supported, with notable mares such as Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) set to visit Chaldean.

Fellow Cambridge Stud shuttler Hello Youmzain (Fr) will also return to New Zealand, and his first Southern Hemisphere-bred runners will turn two in August. The son of Kodiac (GB) has started promisingly in the Northern Hemisphere, siring seven individual winners, including the G2 Coventry Stakes-placed Electrolyte (Ire).

Cambridge Stud’s flagship stallion, Almanzor (Fr), enjoyed another fantastic season, siring eight stakes winners, including the G1 Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire (GB). The son of Wootton Bassett (GB) will stand for a reduced fee of NZ$30,000 (plus GST).

There is also great anticipation for Sword Of State, as the Group 1-winning son of Snitzel's first weanlings become yearlings in August.

Fee rise for deserved Super Seth

After a superb start with his first runners, Waikato Stud-based Super Seth has seen his fee increase from NZ$35,000 (plus GST) to NZ$45,000 (plus GST). The son of Dundeel (NZ) has sired eight individual winners, including Linebacker (NZ), who won the G3 TL Baillieu H. and placed in the G1 Champagne S.

Other notable progeny includes Listed winner Super Photon (NZ) and Poetic Champion (NZ), who has been placed in Group 2 and Group 3 events.

Legendary Champion Sire Savabeel is also on track to reclaim his title from Proisir in the Leading New Zealand General Sires’ Premiership. Savabeel has been represented by impressive performers this season, including Orchestral (NZ), Atishu (NZ), Skew Wiff (NZ), and I Wish I Win (NZ).

Grangewilliam introduces son of Fastnet Rock

Grangewilliam Stud will stand Hilai, a son of Fastnet Rock, for a debut fee of NZ$7500 (plus GST). Hilai is from the family of Redoute’s Choice and Shoals (Fastnet Rock), as well as this season’s stakes winners Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}), winner of the G1 Spring Champion Stakes, and Schwarz (Zoustar), winner of the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas.

Hilai has an impressive race record, having won the G2 Stan Fox Stakes and the Bondi Stakes. He also finished in the placings in the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes, the G1 Champagne Stakes, and the G1 Randwick Guineas.

No issues with Incanto

Last season, Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto (USA) served a limited book of mares after sustaining a hind leg injury in a paddock incident, with the exact figure for 2023 being 72.

However, studmaster Sam Williams announced that Per Incanto, a Group 1-producing stallion, is fit and healthy ahead of the 2024 season and aims to serve a book of 100 mares at a fee of NZ$50,000 (plus GST).

Proisir reigns at Rich Hill

Last season’s Champion Sire, Proisir, is standing for an increased fee of NZ$80,000 (plus GST), up from NZ$70,000 (plus GST) in 2023. Proisir was represented by seven stakes winners this season, including Legarto (NZ), who won the G1 Herbie Dyke S., and Waitak (NZ), victor of the G1 Railway S.

Coeur Volante (NZ) claimed victories in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude and the G3 Scarborough S., while Prowess (NZ) triumphed in the G2 Crystal Mile S. and Yonce (NZ) won the G3 TS Carlyon Cup.

Satono Aladdin (Jpn) also saw a fee increase, rising from NZ$45,000 (plus GST) to NZ$65,000 (plus GST). The son of Deep Impact (Jpn) was responsible for six stakes winners this season.

Rich Hill Stud’s Ace High, who sired the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Molly Bloom (NZ), will stand for NZ$15,000 (plus GST), up from NZ$10,000 (plus GST).

Other news

In other stallion updates from New Zealand, Hanuni Farm will welcome back Champion Miler Ribchester (GB). The Group 1-producing son of Iffraaj (GB) will stand for NZ$10,000 (plus GST).

Highview Stud is standing Mr Mozart at NZ$6000 (plus GST). The son of Snitzel is out of the Rip Van Winkle (Ire) mare Euro Angel (NZ), who won the G3 Ladies Day Vase. Mr Mozart has won five races, including the G2 Phar Lap S., the G3 Doncaster Prelude H., the G3 Hawkesbury Guineas, and the Listed Exford Plate.

Inglewood Stud’s War Decree (NZ) celebrated his first Group 1 winner when Warmonger (NZ) demolished the G1 Queensland Derby field. As a result, the son of War Front (USA) has received a fee increase from NZ$5000 (plus GST) to NZ$7000 (plus GST).