Exciting Group producing first season sire, Santos, will relocate to Highview Stud in New Zealand.
A handsome and masculine son of Champion Sire I Am Invincible, Santos is already the sire of star New Zealand 2YO filly, Ulanova. A brilliant winner on debut before dominating the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic – by a massive 7 lengths. The Santos filly then rounded out her preparation finishing second in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes last month.
“Santos has kicked off his career in fantastic fashion and has a potential Group 1 winner on his hands in the brilliantly fast Ulanova, there is immeasurable upside with a stallion of his looks and credentials.
“We are incredibly excited for the future of Santos and know he is perfectly placed in the New Zealand market at Highview Stud. The Gillovic family flew to Queensland recently to inspect Santos and as anticipated they were blown away by his good looks, strength and athleticism. They are as passionate about Santos and his future success as we are,” said Aquis Stallions Director of Sales, Jonathan Davies.
Located in the heart of the prolific Waikato region, the Gillovic family’s Highview Stud has been a major force in New Zealand racing and breeding since the 1980s.
“We have been looking for a son of I Am Invincible to stand in New Zealand for a few years and with the success of Ulanova we decided to approach the team at Aquis Stallions and are absolutely delighted we could secure Santos for duties at Highview and believe he’s an incredibly exciting addition to the New Zealand breeding industry,” said Brent Gillovic of Highview Stud.
“When my son Kurtis and I inspected Santos, we were really taken by him as an individual. He has a huge masculine presence, terrific conformation and as impressive a type as you could hope to see,” stated Gillovic.
“Highview Stud have produced some 90 stakes winners and I can’t think of a farm better placed to take Santos to the next step and beyond. With the commitment of Aquis Stallions management to continually act in the best interest of shareholders and supporters we are confident that Highview Stud is the right place for Santos,” Davies concluded.
A fee for Santos will be released by Highview Sud at a later date.