SUN STUD, Victoria's premier stallion farm, will field an 11-strong roster for the 2018 breeding season, which includes exciting newcomers NATIONAL DEFENSE and THRONUM.
A Champion 2YO in Europe, National Defense won his maiden by 6 lengths before capturing the Group One Prix Lagardere in a canter (4.5 lengths) and is currently working his way through an outstanding book of mares at the Irish National Stud.
Importantly, National Defense is by Invincible Spirit, whose sire sons in Australia include the all-conquering I Am Invincible.
Thronum, a Lindsay Park trained son of Snitzel, won his first two races as a 2YO, then first up at three in the Listed Rosebud Stakes and, in January, led throughout to win the Group Two Australian Stakes.
At his most recent outing, Thronum finished a narrow second in the Group One William Reid Stakes.
"Sun Stud is very excited about introducing National Defense and Thronum this season," Sun Stud's Senior Sales & Nominations Manager, Mark Lindsay, points out. "National Defense was a brilliant 2YO and is sure to catch the attention of local broodmare owners keen to tap into the Invincible Spirit (105 stakes winners) connection.
"As for Thronum, his race record speaks for itself, but it's a real stallion's pedigree too: apart from being a son of Snitzel, his family is jam packed with black type talent and he is closely related to outstanding sires Shamardal and Street Cry."
Also standing at Sun Stud in 2018 is Magnus, Palentino, Fighting Sun, Fiorente, Bel Esprit, Love Conquers All, Ready For Victory, Squamosa and Moshe.
"MAGNUS remains in the top 15 sires in the nation by winners and earnings (over $4.7 million this season), while dual Group One winner PALENTINO covered an outstanding book of mares last spring and we're very much looking forward to his first crop of foals … especially if they look anything like him!," Lindsay adds.
"FIGHTING SUN has gotten off to a flying start with his first runners – 5 winners in total, including the Stakes winning colt, Chess Star, and the Group placed filly, Platinum Mam'selle. And FIORENTE has landed a winner (Hawkshot) and a city placegetter from only three runners.
"Sun Stud's decision to consolidate all its stallions at the Victorian base, also sees Champion Sire BEL ESPRIT returning south – fittingly he is the leading VOBIS sire this season – while we also welcome LOVE CONQUERS ALL, a Champion Australian First Season Sire by Winners and source of such outstanding sprinters as 4-time Group winner, Savanna Amour.
"We're particularly taken with the first foals of Flemington 2YO Stakes winner, READY FOR VICTORY, who actually covered a bigger book of mares in his second season after breeders got the opportunity to see what he was capable of producing, while Champion Victorian First Season sire SQUAMOSA, and Black Caviar's brother, MOSHE – 40 winners this season – are certainly priced attractively for mare owners."
For further information on Sun Stud's 2018 lineup, phone Mark Lindsay on 0499 032 986, Phil Marshall 0407 853 782, Adam Henry 0428 036 472, Ash Richards 0416 334 338 or visit www.sunstud.com.au
2018 SUN STUD SERVICE FEES
THRONUM (*NEW*) TBA
MAGNUS $19,800
FIORENTE $17,600
PALENTINO $17,600
FIGHTING SUN $15,400
BEL ESPRIT $11,000
NATIONAL DEFENSE (*NEW*) $11,000
LOVE CONQUERS ALL $8,800
READY FOR VICTORY $6,600
SQUAMOSA $6,600
MOSHE $5,500
· All prices inclusive of GST