Byerley Stud, which stands Danehill sire Nothin’ Leica Dane, has boosted its stocks for the upcoming breeding season, having acquired former boom two and three-year old Sharkbite.

A $900,000 purchase from the 2005 Inglis Easter Sale, Sharkbite (5h Redoute’s Choice-Back Pass by Quest For Fame) owns an outstanding pedigree and was undefeated in his two-year old season before competing with some of the country’s best gallopers at three.

Byerley owner Martin Howcroft is thrilled to be standing such an imposing type.  “He’s one of only two stakes-winning sons of Redoute’s Choice to be retiring to stud in the Hunter Valley this spring and will be receiving considerable support from his shareholders Jonathan Munz and Debbie & Joe Throsby,” Hawcroft said.  “He has a terrific pedigree and was the ideal fit for the stud.  “He will prove very good value in the market.”

A late maturing two-year old, Sharkbite won his first two starts for trainer Rod Douglas back in May 2006 in fine fashion before being turned out for a brief spell.

Returning as a three-year old, he was narrowly defeated by Haradasun in the Listed Vain Stakes, beating home a star studded crop of group performers, now sires including Churchill Downs, Kaphero and Due Sasso. He also defeated G1 Hong Kong International Sprint runner up Green Birdie, who is still in the care of Casper Fownes. In fact, the collective price of all sixteen runners that featured in the 2006 edition of the Vain Stakes equalled $4.2 million.

Following his run in the Vain Stakes he placed twice more in G3 company during the spring before being transferred to David Hayes, who saw genuine G1 potential in the colt.

Sadly, Sharkbite failed to find the same group form for his new trainer and, after suffering a back injury was subsequently returned to Rod Douglas in the spring of 2007.

He won three of his next five starts back under the care of Douglas including victory down the straight six at Flemington on Cup Day and a slashing victory in the Listed MRC Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield.

Returning in the autumn of 2008 as a four-year old, Sharkbite mixed his form and was spelled again before returning for a brief campaign in February this year. Following his run in the G3 Victoria Handicap connections decided the time was right to retire the well bred entire.

Sharkbite is the first foal for US bred mare Back Pass (Quest For Fame), who is a winning half sister to G2 Breeders’ Cup Handicap winner Three Valleys (Diesis). He also descends from the same family as Hasili.(Kahyasi), who has produced no less than five G1 Northern Hemsiphere performers including 2005 champion turf filly Intercontinental (Danehill).

A half brother to Sharkbite by champion sire Redoute’s Choice was knocked down for $525,000 from the draft of Glenlogan Park at this year’s Inglis Easter Sale.  Back Pass was bred back to Redoute’s Choice last season.

A service fee for Sharkbite is expected to be set in the coming weeks.