Written by Paul Vettise
A Group 1 winning European sprinter co-bred by a Queensland nursery will begin his Australian stud career at Aquis in 2019.
The signing of Aclaim (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) to their roster also further strengthens the farm’s ongoing association with Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
“We have developed a strong relationship in the Australian market recently and we’re delighted to bring Aclaim to Australia," Aquis Chief Executive Officer Shane McGrath said.
“We’ve bought colts together in a partnership. Invader was one of them and he served a full book last year and we’re keen to keep things rolling along.
“We have developed a strong relationship in the Australian market recently and we’re delighted to bring Aclaim to Australia." – Shane McGrath.
“Queensland breeding is synonymous with speed sires and in Aclaim, we are introducing a world-class Group 1 winning sprinter with a pedigree that resonates with breeders and he is by one of the most potent speed sires in the world.”
Aclaim
Aclaim was bred and raced by a partnership which included the Warwick-based Canning Downs and Irish-based bloodstock agent Dermot Farrington. Phoenix subsequently bought into the horse on his retirement.
“It’s quite amazing really. Six or seven years ago you’d have thought it a million to one chance he’d end up in Queensland,” said Joy Mackay, who owns Canning Downs with her husband John Barnes.
“Dermot is a very old and dear friend and he bought the dam Aris as a yearling and we raced her together.”
“Dermot is a very old and dear friend and he bought the dam Aris as a yearling and we raced her together.” – Joy Mackay.
She was a winner and was a black type placegetter in the Listed Flame Of Tara S. and Aclaim is her first foal.
“We tried to sell him, but just didn’t get what we wanted so in for a penny, in for a pound,” Mackay said.
“He just got better and better as he got older. He fitted the bill as a stallion with a Group 1 and a very good pedigree. He’s such a nice horse, you’d be hard-pressed to fault him and he’ll prove a good outcross for a lot of Australian mares.”
Watch: Aclaim winning the G1 Prix de la Foret
McGrath said Aclaim ticked all the boxes when it came to Aquis’ stallion selection criteria.
“I personally inspected Aclaim in Newmarket and was overwhelmed by how good-looking he is. I know he will appeal to the Australian market.
“I personally inspected Aclaim in Newmarket and was overwhelmed by how good-looking he is.” – Shane McGrath.
“He’s everything we look for. He’s medium-sized, big hip and a great mover. “
Aclaim was the most popular first season sire in the United Kingdom in 2018, with a total of 130 in foal mares and his first foals are now impressing breeders with their quality, strength and substance.
“He’s getting lovely stock at the English National Stud and we’re all committed to supporting the horse heavily here. He’s the talk of the town,” McGrath said.
Trained by Martyn Meade, Aclaim won his only start as a 2-year-old before proving himself top class over the next two seasons, winning the G1 Prix de la Foret over 1400 metres in France as well as the G2 Park S. and the G2 Challenge S. in England over the same distance.
Aclaim
"Aclaim is one of the most exciting young sires in Europe and has proven extremely popular so far.” - Amer Adbulaziz said.
Aclaim’s sire Acclamation (GB) is a noted speed influence and a proven sire of sires, with his offspring including the G1 Middle Park S. winner Dark Angel (Ire), who stands at a fee of 85,000 euros in Europe.
Aclaim is out of a half-sister to the champion 2-year-old filly and dual Group 1 winner Again (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and hails from the family of the champion sire Montjeu (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}). He is responsible for over 125 stakes winners worldwide.
"Aclaim is one of the most exciting young sires in Europe and has proven extremely popular so far,” Phoenix Chief Executive Officer Amer Adbulaziz said.
“The quality of his first foals convinced us that this is a horse that deserves exposure to the Australian market and given our strong relationship with Aquis, it's the perfect fit."
Aclaim will stand at Aquis in Canungra, Queensland, at a fee of $13,750 including GST.
