It’s been a long time in the planning, but the transformation of boutique Hunter Valley nursery Kia Ora Stud into a serious stallion farm is about to move into the next exciting phase with the first yearlings by foundation sires Farnan and Prague set to take centre stage at the Gold Coast for Magic Millions.
A Golden Slipper winner and the Champion 2YO of his generation, Farnan is the highest stake earning colt by champion sire Not a Single Doubt from a daughter of champion sire Street Cry (IRE).
Prague is a blue-blood son of legendary sire Redoute’s Choice that sold at Magic Millions for $1.6million and retired as a dual Group winning juvenile with a second in the Group I ATC Sires Produce Stakes and fourth placings in the Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap and ATC All Aged Stakes.
The honour roll of Golden Slipper winning colts at stud is a long and impressive one with Farnan possessing all the attributes to write his own chapter of the story.
Blessed with brilliant speed and precocity, Farnan was a two time winner before Christmas, but really hit his straps in the autumn reeling off successive wins in the Group II ATC Silver Slipper and Todman Stakes before his career defining victory in the Group I ATC Golden Slipper. He defeated Champion 2YO Filly Away Game by nearly two lengths in a dominant display in a slick 1.10.19 seconds despite the soft 5 track.
Farnan had 10 weanlings sell last year for $100,000 up to $190,000 and with 39 entries for Magic Millions, buyers will be spoiled for choice.
Highlight horses for Farnan are below and click here for all his yearling images:
Lot 131 Colt Farnan x Sangita – Kia Ora Stud
Lot 169 Filly Farnan x Sexy Eyes – Milburn Creek
Lot 267 Colt Farnan x Sylpheed – Segenhoe Stud
Lot 377 Colt Farnan x Za Zi Ba - North
Lot 472 Colt Farnan x Bella Success – Newgate Farm
Lot 768 Colt Farnan x I Am Excited at Bell River
Redoute’s Choice has established a phenomenal sire dynasty that includes Not a Single Doubt and Snitzel, but may have saved the best until last with his son Prague, who traces in tail female line to the great champion mare Emancipation.
Bearing an uncanny resemblance to his sire, Prague has been well supported by astute breeders and vendors can expect to be well rewarded from his $16,500 fee with his first weanlings offered last year selling for up to $90,000.
Highlight horses for Prague are below and click here for all his yearling images:
Lot 122 Filly Prague x Sabatini - Kia Ora Stud
Lot 146 Colt Prague x Se Sauver – Sledmere Stud
Lot 568 Filly Prague x Decelerator (USA) - Kia Ora Stud
Lot 682 Colt Prague x Flying Strike at Sledmere
Lot 770 Colt Prague x I Am Speedy – Blue Gum Farm