Vinery Stud has announced its 2019 service fees ahead of a breakthrough season for exciting young sires Press Statement and Headwater.
Their first yearlings were very popular the sales and they will step out in the spring for Australia’s leading stables. A Press Statement filly made $340,000 on the Gold Coast and a colt $270,000 at Sydney Classic.
“Press Statement was a genuine Group 1 horse and the feedback from the breakers has been very positive,” Vinery General Manager Peter Orton said this week. “They’re tough and they’re athletes.”
Chris Waller trained Press Statement and made sure he was well-stocked with youngsters like the $270,000 Classic colt that was purchased by Randwick Bloodstock agent Brett Howard for Star Thoroughbreds. “I think Press Statement is a massive chance of making the grade as a stallion,” Howard declared. “Our colt is an absolute cracker and he will get every chance with Chris.”
Press Statement (Hinchinbrook) was the only colt of his generation to win at Group 1 level as a 2yo and 3yo. Waller rated him a superstar and a better 2yo than Zoustar & Brazen Beau!
Headwater began his stud career with a ‘speed on speed’ label and his first crop are in the fast-lane for precocity and good looks. He topped first-crop turnover at the Inglis Classic and among that draft was a $140,000 colt purchased by Mick Price.
“He’s a lovely looking individual,” Price said. “Strong, forward and a real speed-type of colt. He’s a ripper and I can’t wait to get him back to Melbourne.”
Headwater has a potent pedigree combining Champion sire Exceed And Excel and Oakleigh Plate Gr.1 winner River Dove. He won the Silver Slipper Stakes Gr.2 before returning at three to defeat older horses in the Kensington Stakes LR down the straight at Flemington.
Star Turn (Star Witness) has his first foals catalogued for the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale and Magic Millions National Sale in May and the Vinery team have been fielding rave reports from around the country. “Breeders are coming back after seeing his foals,” Orton said. “He’s stamping them, alright. They’re beasts.
“He’s a great outcross with just one strain of Danehill back four generations. He’s been booked out in his first two years here and his fee remains the same in 2019.”
Star Turn won an early-season juvenile at Randwick and returned the following year to defeat Golden Slipper winner Capitalist in the San Domenico Stakes Gr.3. Sent to Melbourne, he showed another brilliant burst of acceleration to defeat older horses at weight-for-age in the Schillaci Stakes Gr.2 and signed off with a brave third in the Newmarket Hcp Gr.1.
All Too Hard is already embedded in the Hunter Valley with just three crops racing and he leads the Vinery roster in 2019. It’s part of a seamless changing of the guard following the farewell of More Than Ready to Kentucky and the retirements of Testa Rossa and Mossman.
“Trainers love All Too Hard. They win every day,” Orton said after watching his latest crop average $250,000 at the Inglis Easter Sale. “And breeders will continue to support him when he gets yearlings of that calibre.”
All Too Hard is a Top 10 Australian stallion for winners (87) and wins (137) this season with just three crops racing. There have been 13 Stakes performers from his first crop headed by Group 2 winners Villermont (Sandown Guineas) and Demonetization (NZ Great Northern Guineas). Stan Fox Stakes Gr.2 winner Tarka, the only horse to defeat The Autumn Sun, is the leader of his second crop.
Casino Prince and Pluck (USA) round out the Vinery roster and they represent huge value for owner-breeders off bargain service fees.
Casino Prince has sired over 100 individual winners for the last three seasons and is on track to make it four in 2018-19 and he also boasts a huge winners to runners strike rate of over 67%. His 3yo filly Baccarat Baby is also on track for a Group 1 pot of gold in the Queensland Oaks on May 25.
Pluck is the only son of Vinery legend More Than Ready available to breeders in the Hunter Valley this year and his 3yo filly Lady Pluck holds a Group 1 nomination for Adelaide’s Robert Sangster Stakes in May.
2019 VINERY SERVICE FEES
All Too Hard – $27,500
Star Turn – $22,000
Headwater – $16,500
Press Statement – $16,500
Casino Prince – $6,600
Pluck – $6,600
(Fees inc. GST)