Jukebox is the latest son of Snitzel to be secured by a leading stud, with Aquis Farm set to stand the unbeaten 2-year-old and Group 3 winner for $10,000 + GST this spring.
Jukebox was only recently retired from the track after winning three of his eight starts, including both his runs as a two-year-old and then the G3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield in 2017 for trainer Ciaron Maher.
“Jukebox was a gun 2YO and the best 2YO we have had; early, very sharp and natural. We look forward to training his progeny in the future,” said Maher.
His now the sixth son of champion Australian sire Snitzel (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) to stand his first season at a major stud this year, joining Invader, who is also at Aquis, Russian Revolution and Menari, who are both standing at Newgate, Thronum, who is standing at Sun Stud and Boulder City at Riverbank.
"He's by Snitzel. He out of a stakes-winning Rory's Jester mare, he's an unbeaten 2yo, a proper Group 3 winning three-year old, and he’s bred on the same cross as Not a Single Doubt." Aquis CEO Shane McGrath.
Jukebox, announced today at Aquis Farm
Aquis Farm CEO Shane McGrath said it was clear that there was incredible demand in the market for Australian-bred stallions with a strong two-year-old record.
"He's always been a high-profile horse and after the weekend with the stallion parades, it was just re-iterated to us when I spoke to Henry Field (Newgate) that there is a need for 2-year-old colonial speed. He said 'stop trying to shoot around the edges, buy what people want,'" McGrath said.
"Jukebox is what Australian racing is all about." Shane McGrath.
"He's by Snitzel. He out of a stakes-winning Rory's Jester mare, he's an unbeaten 2yo, a proper Group 3 winning three-year old, and he’s bred on the same cross as Not a Single Doubt. Jukebox is what Australian racing is all about."
"He's a proper horse and he's slot perfectly into that roster for us in the Hunter Valley and we’ll stand him for $10,000."
WATCH: Jukebox wins the G3 Vain S.
Strong book expected
Jukebox may be late to the market in terms of this season, but McGrath is confident he will get a good book of mares.
"You see how quickly Menari was announced and then booked out, and Pariah was the same," he said. "This horse was a similar profile to those. He'll obviously get our usual support in terms of first-season horses."
"They all see the opportunity that you get in a lightly raced, fast, two-year-old son of Snitzel. "
McGrath revealed the original owners of Jukebox are remaining involved, including Colin McKenna and Neville Duncan, and he expected strong support from them.
"He's already got a good starting base and we’ve got some of our regular stallion investors going to support him. They all see the opportunity that you get in a lightly raced, fast, two-year-old son of Snitzel. "
"Although it’s late, I'm confident we'll secure a solid book of mares."
Jukebox will be the third first-season sire at Aquis' Hunter Valley farm, joining Invader and Spieth (Thorn Park {NZ}).
