Group 1 racehorse and sire Danzero will be based at Rosemont Stud in Victoria this year.
Rosemont owner Anthony Mithen will stand the 19 year-old stallion at his emerging nursery which fronts the Barwon River just west of Geelong.
Danzero began his stud career in Victoria at Chatswood Stud back in 1995 before going on to a successful career at Arrowfield Stud.
“Victorian broodmare owners don’t have many options to book into a proven stallion in the $10,000 range,” Mithen said on Thursday. “Danzero is a perfect fit at that price and fortunately John Messara has agreed to send him down here this year.”
Danzero helped establish Danehill in Australia winning the 1994 Golden Slipper and he has been a tremendous asset to Arrowfield over the years siring 536 individual winners of 1666 races at a 63% strike rate.
There have been 37 stakes winners among that total headed by the G1 winners Dance Hero (Golden Slipper), Danglissa (AJC Flight Stakes), Danni Martine (Coolmore Classic), Fairway (Australian Derby), Jymcarew (Canterbury Guineas) and Niconero (Kingston Town Classic – twice).
“After Arrowfield relocated Hussonet to Sam Hayes, I approached John hoping we might be a chance of standing Danzero,” Mithen said. “But he’s a sentimental favourite at Arrowfield and John took some convincing.
“I’ve stayed at Arrowfield and know how attached John is to Danzero. It’s a privilege to stand him here and we will restrict his book to 80 mares.”
Mithen has a high-profile in his own right as a leading AFL caller and he will be in the spotlight again on Saturday if his filly Heidilicious wins the G1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.
The Zabeel filly ruined her chances with slow getaways in the G3 Doomben Roses and G1 Queensland Oaks but Mithen is hoping a barrier blanket will help her break on equal terms against the colts.
Heidilicious was a $160,000 buy from Beltana Stud at the 2009 NZ Bloodstock yearling sale. She descends from a long line of talented fillies like Kotama (Irish 1000 Guineas Trial), Kozana (G2 Prix de Malleret) and Koblenza (French 1000 Guineas)
Heidilicious will eventually retire to Rosemont which is rapidly emerging as a major player in the Victorian industry.
And Mithen has ensured that upward curve will continue with arrival of Danzero.