By Bren O'Brien
The response to the addition of Jukebox (Snitzel {Aus}) to Aquis' stallion roster for this season has been described as 'phenomenal' with the G3-winning sprinter fully syndicated within two days of arriving at Aquis' Hunter Valley farm.
Aquis chief executive Shane McGrath said the response to Jukebox since he was announced as a late addition on August 27 has been very strong, with a full book of mares all but assured in his first season.
"He's taken to the job with the aplomb you would hope for. He's had great support. The shares got allocated quickly and he'll definitely serve a full book of mares, so that takes the pressure off," he said.
Jukebox after winning the Listed Inglis 2yo Premier
"We've syndicated a fair part of him, which means that with the shareholder support, he's going to get a satisfactory book for year one. It's quite interesting, we are getting a lot of outside bookings as well."
"It's phenomenal to be honest. To have horse that you bought on Monday, arrived on Wednesday and to be fully syndicated by the end of the week, that just tells you the demand is there for those colonial speed horses."
"It's phenomenal to be honest." - Shane McGrath on the demand for Jukebox since retiring to stud
Meeting the market
With two other first-season sires on Aquis' books in the Hunter Valley, Invader (Snitzel {Aus}) and Spieth (Thorn Park {Aus}), McGrath said it was important to get the price right ($10,000 + GST) for Jukebox.
"He's at a different price point, and you had to be sensitive to that when you retired him, with the timing it was going to make it difficult," he said.
Watch: Jukebox showing off his speed in the Group 3 Vain Stakes
"You had to price him so that if he resonates with breeders, that the fee isn’t something that is going to put them off."
"I think with those speed horses, if you price them sensibly, the market supports them."
A strong first-season line-up
Invader and Spieth are also relishing their new lives as stallions, with a very strong support for both horses.
McGrath said that stakeswinning mare Moqueen (Uncle Mo {USA}), who was bought by Aquis for $600,000 at the Inglis Chairman's Sale, will go to Invader later this week.
Inglis Chairman's purchase Moqueen, will be covered by Invader this season
"She was one of the maiden mares we brought at the Chairman's Sale. We just had a new partner come into her and he was a partner in Invader so that was a timely boost for him. They are the sort of mares that make stallions," McGrath said.
Moqueen is out of a full sister to Mica's Pride, who is the dam of G1 winners Criterion and Comin' Through.
"They are the sort of mares that make stallions" - Shane McGrath on Moqueen
Canungra pair shaping up well
Aquis also have two first-season sires at their farm in Canungra in Queensland in The Mission (Choisir {Aus}) and Kobayashi (I am Invincible {Aus}).
McGrath said the decision to back The Mission with a series of breeder bonuses had ensured G1 winner would get a full book of mares.
Group 1 Champagne Stakes winner The Mission will be standing at Canungra this season
Up to $1 million is on offer if any of the 2018 conceived crop of The Mission wins either a Group 1 two-year-old race, or either the Magic Millions 2yo Classic or the Inglis 2YO Millennium.
He also expected Kobayashi to be well-supported, especially from his original owners.
"That's always a good confirmation that the support is there for them. It's a similar story to Jukebox," McGrath said.
