Written by Paul Vettise
Aquis Farm has come a long way in a short time to be a major thoroughbred player in Australia, and are regularly adding to the bloodstock portfolio - this week purchasing an interest in G1 VRC Derby hope Extra Brut.
It was established in 2015 at Canungra, Queensland, with the purchase by the Hong Kong-based Fung family of the Wadham Park racing operation and three surrounding properties, which were merged to create their racing and breeding operation.
Two years later, Aquis took over the historic Emirates Park property in Murrurundi, New South Wales, which allowed growth in the stallion business from four in 2016 to 14 this season.
Massive investment
They have spent a significant amount of money acquiring bloodstock at public auctions and privately since the farms’ inception and, together with an ever-increasing broodmare band of 186 mares and 165 horses in training, they are strongly positioned for the future.
Included on their Queensland stallion roster is the G2 Silver Slipper S., winner Domesday (Red Ransom {USA}), who also finished fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper S., and now has the very real possibility of a son joining him some time in the future.
Domesday is standing at the Aquis Canungra Farm
Aquis have bought into the Darren Weir-trained colt Extra Brut, the Listed UCI S., winner who will take his chance in Saturday’s G1 VRC Derby.
“Domesday had tremendous success on the track and he’s receiving great support from breeders at stud.” - Chief Executive Officer Shane McGrath said.
“Domesday had tremendous success on the track and he’s receiving great support from breeders at stud,” Chief Executive Officer Shane McGrath said.
“We identified Extra Brut as a high-class son of his on our ratings and he is a lovely type with a lot of upside to him. Hopefully, he will be Domesday’s most exciting son.
Extra Brut winning the UCI Stakes at Flemington
“Darren is happy with him and so is Johnny Allen, who will ride him. The big, open straight at Flemington will suit him and we think he’s got the constitution to run the trip.
“Hopefully, he will carry on to a Guineas campaign in the autumn.” – Shane McGrath
“Hopefully, he will carry on to a Guineas campaign in the autumn.”
Big Cup week on the agenda
Aquis will be well-represented in feature events at Flemington with Lean Mean Machine (Zoustar), Sesar (Sebring) and Sunlight (Zoustar) in the G1 Coolmore Stud S.
“That’s not a bad effort from a farm that’s been going only a few years,” McGrath said. “They were all yearling purchases and it’s testament to our systems and (pre-training and racing manager) Kacy Fogden who does a fantastic job.
Sunlight
“Siege Of Quebec will run in the Kennedy Mile and he’s back in a handicap with a light weight.” – Shane McGrath
“Siege Of Quebec will run in the Kennedy Mile and he’s back in a handicap with a light weight. Our retained rider Michael Walker will be on board and it’s an ideal race.
“Fundamentalist will go to the Myer with Ben Thompson to ride her, 3-year-old fillies have got a tremendous record in the race.”
The Not A Single Doubt (Redoute's Choice) filly was narrowly beaten in the G1 Thousand Guineas and was again runner-up when was forced to work overtime from a wide gate in the G2 Fillies’ Classic.
“We’ve got a few bullets to fire and hopefully a few hit the targets,” McGrath said.
