Victorian stallions punched well above their weight at the elite level during the Victorian spring carnival.

Following the AFL Grand Final on September 27, there were 17 Group 1 races during the spring carnival contested between Trust In A Gust’s victory in the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes and Hucklebuck’s win in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) on the last day of the Melbourne Cup week.

Victoria and New South Wales tied with the winners of 5 Group 1 events each but, with just 23% of the Australian foal crop, Victoria was a clear winner over NSW which supplies 45% of our nation’s foals.

New Zealand (3) and Overseas stallions (3) were next best followed by South Australia (1).

“Spring racing in Melbourne is the most competitive carnival, by far, in Australia,” TBV president James O’Brien said.  “For Victorian stallions to finish on par with NSW on the Group 1 table, with just half the number of their foals, is proof we are heading in the right direction.”

Victoria’s stallion fees are also value for money compared to the six-figures sums demanded by Hunter Valley studs.

Keep The Faith stands for $4,400 at Greta West Stud, Reset is available for a $16,500 fee at Darley Victoria and an Elvstroem cover costs $4,400 at Blue Gum Farm.

Group 1 winners – 2014 Victorian spring carnival

TRUST IN A GUST   Sir Rupert Clark Stakes   KEEP THE FAITH  (Vic)

LUCIA VALENTINA   Turnbull Stakes   SAVABEEL (NZ)

FAWKNER   Caulfield Stakes   RESET (Vic)
TRUST IN A GUST   Toorak Hcp   KEEP THE FAITH  (Vic)
AMICUS   Thousand Guineas   FASTNET ROCK (NSW)
SHOOTING TO WIN   Caulfield Guineas   NORTHERN METEOR (NSW)
ADMIRE RAKTI   Caulfield Cup  HEART’S CRY (Jpn)

LANKAN RUPEE  Manikato Stakes  REDOUTE’S CHOICE (NSW)
ADELAIDE   Cox Plate   GALILEO (Ire)

BRAZEN BEAU   Coolmore Stud Stakes   I AM INVINCIBLE (NSW)
HAPPY TRAILS   Mackinnon Stakes   GOOD JOURNEY (SA)
PREFERMENT   Victoria Derby   ZABEEL (NZ)
BONARIA   Myer Classic   REDOUTE’S CHOICE (NSW)
PROTECTIONIST   Melbourne Cup   MONSUN (Ger)
SET SQUARE  Victorian Oaks   RESET (Vic)
TERRAVISTA   Darley Classic   CAPTAIN RIO (NZ)
HUCKLEBUCK   Emirates Stakes   ELVSTROEM (Vic)

A total of 9 Victorian-based stallions weighed in with black-type winners in that six-week period.  Bel Esprit (Afleet Esprit, Bel Sprinter), Written Tycoon (Rich Enuff), Hard Spun (Mihalic), Turffontein (Fontein Ruby, Fontiton), Starspangledbanner (Of The Brave), God’s Own (Bel Thor), Host (Hosting), Domesday (Antelucan) and Artie Schiller (Vain Queen)