Australian stakes winner Gorky Park will take up stud duties at Paxton Park in NZ this year.  He has been purchased by Henk and Nienke Smit to stand at their Cambridge stud alongside proven Group 1 stallion Shinko King.

Gorky Park (7h Montjeu – Steluta by Defensive Play) was trained by David Hayes and showed the family’s sharp turn of foot to win on debut at Morphettville in March 2006.  He resumed at three to win the Listed Geelong Classic before beating all bar Efficient in the G1 VRC Victorian Derby.

As an older horse, Gorky Park was successful in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes and retired with four wins from 1200 to 3200 metres and earnings of $820,450.

“We’ve been looking for a new stallion and heard through contacts that Gorky Park was on the market,” Henk Smit said.  “I did a lot of work on his pedigree and liked what I saw and then went to Melbourne to have a look at him.”

Smit had no hesitation in sealing the deal for Gorky Park after a first-hand inspection of the handsome bay stallion.  “He’s a lovely type with excellent conformation and a beautiful nature,” he said.  “New Zealand’s strength is breeding staying horses, but his family has two-year-old performance as well.”

Gorky Park was originally purchased by renowned yearling judge Les Samba for $360,000 at the 2005 Premier Sale at Karaka.

He is by Montjeu who won six times at G1 level.  A son of legendary sire Sadler’s Wells, he has left 20 individual top-flight winners from 1400 to 3100 metres.  

They include European Horse of the Year Hurricane Run who won the Arc de Triomphe, King George, Irish Derby and Tattersalls Gold Cup.  Other prominent sons of Montjeu include Authorized, Fame And Glory, Frozen Fire, Montare, Motivator and Scorpion.

His leading Australasian representatives are Wall Street, Tavistock, Nom Du Jeu and Harris Tweed.

Another young son of Montjeu is the dual G2 winner Gallant Guru who has made a promising start to his stud career.  A Gallant Guru colt was the top lot at the recent Festival Sale at Karaka.

Gorky Park’s dam Steluta is by noted broodmare stallion Defensive Play.  He is the damsire Efficient, Zarita, Sirmione, Joy And Fun, Taatletail and Guillotine.

Steluta is a half-sister to the G3 Doomben Classic winner Galroof who is the dam of G1 performer Pinnacles.  She is also the second dam of NZ juvenile star Planet Rock.

Paxton Park will announce Gorky Park’s fee at a later date.