Written by Paul Vettise
Patience has been rewarded with a lengthy global hunt for a new stallion successfully coming to a conclusion for Luigi Muollo’s Novara Park Stud.
A Group 1 performed son of the sire sensation Deep Impact (Jpn) has been confirmed to begin his stud career at the Cambridge farm with a deal to secure Staphanos (Jpn) signed, sealed and delivered.
Novara has been on the look-out for an addition to the roster since they tragically lost their Group 1 winner Jakkalberry (Ire) to a gut infection in February, 2018.
Staphanos
“We looked through about 25 prospects last year and said no to them all,” Muollo said.
“We looked through about 25 prospects last year and said no to them all.” - Luigi Muollo.
“Some of these horses can win a Group 1 and their value goes up $10 or 20 million overnight. We’re not in that bracket, but that’s the game we’re in.
“We were fussy with what we wanted and this one is the perfect individual. I’m going to be sending 30 of my best mares to him.”
Experienced Novara studmaster Ray Knight said Staphanos ticked all their stallion criteria boxes of performance, pedigree, physique and commercial appeal.
“He is by the world’s hottest sire Deep Impact, who has the highest advertised service fee at $540,000 and is greatly sought after by all our main international markets.”
”I’m going to be sending 30 of my best mares to him.” – Luigi Muollo.
Staphanos was a durable customer, who won four of his 31 starts up to 1800 metres, including the G3 Fuji S. at Tokyo and spent much of his career doing battle at higher levels with 25 Group appearances.
Staphanos
He was successful as a 2-year-old and the following season claimed the scalp of subsequent Japanese Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}).
Staphanos’s performances as a 3-year-old resulted in him representing Japan in the G1 Hong Kong Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 2000 metres. He performed with honour in finishing runner-up to Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and ahead of the four-time Australian Group 1 winner Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) and five other top flight winners.
Staphanos also collected Group 1 placings in two editions of the Tenno Sho (autumn), the G1 Hong Kong Cup and the Osaka Hai.
A deep, deep impact
His sire Deep Impact has been the world’s leading stallion by progeny earnings from 2013 to2018. His eight crops of racing age have collectively earned more than $600 million and won 260 stakes races with his 10.4 per cent stakes winners to runners among the best in the world.
A brother to the Group performed brother Finift, Staphanos is out of Kokoshnik (Jpn) (Kurofone {USA}), who was successful three times and has left five winners.
Deep Impact
She is a sister to the dual black type winner Golden Hind with their dam the stakes winner Gold Tiara (USA) (Seeking The Gold {USA}).
“Staphanos is an outstanding and correct physical type and full of quality.” – Ray Knight.
It is the family of the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. winner Poet’s Voice (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the G1 Jebel Hatta S. winner and G1 Caulfield Cup runner-up Blair House (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).
“Staphanos is an outstanding and correct physical type and full of quality,” Knight said. “As the winner of $NZ6.15 million he will be the highest stake earner at stud in New Zealand.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the New Zealand breeding industry to access a top class racehorse with a globally dominant pedigree.”
Staphanos will stand alongside Sweynesse at Novara Park for a service fee of NZ$7000 + GST.
Staphanos will be the highest stake earner at stud in New Zealand
