Cox Plate champion Ocean Park has been secured to stand at Waikato Stud in New Zealand.

Ocean Park (NZ) is one of the most exciting sire prospects of the modern era and remains in his homeland after Waikato studmaster Mark Chittick consolidated the deal over the weekend.  He was backed by overwhelming support from major breeding entities.

“Horses the calibre of Ocean Park don’t come along every day, and when they do, you have to do all you can to secure them,” Chittick said.  “They are the next chapter for New Zealand’s breeding industry and this is why we were supported by many of New Zealand’s leading breeders in our quest to get him.  We couldn’t have struck this deal without them.”

Ocean Park achieved superstar status with five Group 1 victories including a memorable triumph in the 2012 Cox Plate.  In his five Group 1 wins alone, he beat the winners of an 67 Group 1 races including Pierro, All Too Hard, More Joyous, King Mufhasa, Veyron, Shoot Out, Manighar, Green Moon and Sincero.

“It’s been a fabulous ride and we are so pleased to have struck a deal with Waikato Stud, who are literally just down the road,” part-owner and trainer Gary Hennessy.  “I know he’ll get every chance under their management.”

Boasting an equally impressive pedigree, Ocean Park ignites the sire power of Thorn Park and continues the legacy of one of New Zealand’s most successful female families through dam Sayyida.

“Ocean Park fits beautifully within the stud’s sire selection criteria and comes from a proven family that has already enjoyed tremendous success with Waikato Stud,” Chitty added.  “He’s a Cox Plate winner, as was our sire Savabeel, and you can pretty quickly see why we were just so keen to retain him for New Zealand’s sire ranks.”

Ocean Park will stand for $30,000 (plus gst) service fee in 2013.