Scenic Lodge were well-prepared for a future after Blackfriars and they got the succession plan right with Snippetson and Universal Ruler.

Blackfriars (Danehill) is three months away from collecting his 9th WA sires’ premiership, and second posthumously, with earnings over $3.60 million to May 1. His tally of winners and wins (80 – 115) is also the best in the west this season.

Scenic Lodge dominates WA stallions ranks with Snippetson ($2.52 million) and Universal Ruler ($2.10 million) next best on the table. Weight of numbers will give Snippetson a decided advantage to take over as WA’s leading active sire in 2018-19.

“We stand the two leading stallions in WA and it’s been great to see Snippetson having such a fantastic start with his first locally-bred runners,” Scenic Lodge general manager Jeremy Smith said. “They’re showing heaps of natural ability and without doubt the highlight so far has been Tinsnip.”

Tinsnip was runner-up in the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) before going one better in the G3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on April 18. Trainer Adam Durrant sent him straight to the paddock for the G2 WA Guineas in November. “Snippetson has covered good quality books since arriving in WA and were excited with his foals coming through,” Smith added. “We expect him to be very popular at an affordable fee this season.”

Universal Ruler has come from nowhere to challenge for honours on the back of a potent 3yo division this season. He leads that category with 20 winners of 32 races and $1.58 million in prizemoney.

His top filly Lady Cosmology earned a trip to Adelaide for the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes after an Ascot summer carnival victory in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes and subsequent seconds in the G3 Champion Fillies and G2 WA Guineas.

Angelic Ruler won the LR Rangeview Stud Classic and went to Melbourne for placings in the G2 Angus Armanasco, G2 Kewney and G3 Alexandra Stakes earlier this year.

Universal Ruler’s 3yo filly Bam’s On Fire has also been sent east where she won by five lengths first-up for Caulfield trainers Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. She had shown enormous potential last year to recover from bad starts when third in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes and fourth in the G2 Karrakatta Plate.

“His results over the last 12 to 18 months have been simply staggering. He has gone to another level,” Smith said. “And now he’s starting to emulate the deeds of his father Scenic.

“Universal Ruler was the most popular stallion in WA last season by mares covered on the back of the great run by his progeny and he’s on track to become Western Australia’s champion of the future.”

Group 1 grey Dash For Cash fills out the roster and Scenic Lodge has ensured he’s accessible to all breeders in WA. “He continues to sire numerous quality winners throughout Australia like Melbourne flying-machine Grey Shadow,” Smith said. “Locally, his runners are just starting to emerge and include the quality stayer Without Reason.”

SCENIC LODGE 2019 ROSTER

SNIPPETSON $6,600
UNIVERSAL RULER $6,600
DASH FOR CASH $2,750

Service fees (inc gst)

For further details, broodmare owners should contact Jeremy Smith: (08) 9571 0155 or 0419 943 356

SNIPPETSON