It has been confirmed by majority owner Newgate in the past couple of days that Brutal's racetrack career is over after it became apparent that an intended trip to Brisbane and then possibly Royal Ascot would be shelved due the coronavirus outbreak.
Queensland has cancelled its Winter Carnival, ruling out the handsome 4-year-old son of O'Reilly (NZ) further building on a 10-start career which saw him win five races, including a G1 Doncaster Mile, and win over $2.6 million in prizemoney.
"The plan was to take him to Brisbane, but obviously when they called the carnival off, there was no other choice but to retire him, which is a shame, because he had a lot more to offer," Field said.
Brutal (NZ) will retire to stand at Newgate Farm
But having already taken plenty of enquiries about Brutal from breeders in the past 24 hours, Field can not wait to see what he can do in the breeding barn, given he possesses all the ingredients to make a substantial impression as a stallion.
"He was a proper racehorse. He has a great physique, is a great outcross and is by a champion sire. They are all the things we look for," he said.
"He was a proper racehorse. He has a great physique, is a great outcross and is by a champion sire. They are all the things we look for." - Henry Field
"He's such a beautiful horse. He's got that stunning dark colour. He can have a really good place in the market.
"He's going to really suit those fast Aussie-type mares and he is absolutely one of the most stunning horses as a stallion. He will be one of the best-looking horses on any roster this year. I think when you add up those parts, you have a pretty exciting prospect."
Brutal (NZ) as a yearling
Brutal was bred by Auckland-based Anne Storey and her mother Ruth Kerr Taylor from their stakes-placed mare Alberton Princess (NZ) (Golan {Ire}). That family has produced stakes winners such as Te Akau Rose (NZ) (Thorn Park), Lady Alberton (NZ) (Golan {Ire}), Alberton Park (NZ) (Thorn Park), Testarhythm (Testa Rossa) and Cavalry Rose (Charge Forward).
Brutal is a full brother to stakes-winner Talaria (NZ) and was offered through the Mapperley Stud draft at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, where Hawkes Racing paid NZ$220,000 for the colt.
He debuted in a late-season 2-year-old race at Caulfield, winning by 5l and followed that up with a stakes win at just his second start in the Listed McKenzie S. at Moonee Valley,
He then won the Listed Exford Plate at Flemington before being spelled for the spring, unbeaten in three starts.
Brutal was beaten in his first two runs back in the autumn, but showed his absolute class when running second to Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), beaten 3.5l, in the G1 George Ryder S.
He then claimed the G1 Doncaster Mile at just his seventh start, the least experienced colt to ever win the famous Randwick race.
Newgate then secured a controlling interest in the colt with a view to his future as a stallion.
"The Hawkes' were always so bullish on the horse and that was a big part of our investment decision," Field said. "They really had an ultra belief in the horse. The last time they had that sort of belief in a horse was probably Deep Field and he was the last one from their stable we invested in. I always felt confident to buy that horse."
Brutal's final win came when he returned to win the G2 Premiere S. in the spring beating several of the country's top sprinters.
He was being readied for a late autumn return, but circumstances have conspired against his racetrack career resuming and he is now headed for the stallion barn.
For exactly what fee will be determined in the coming weeks, according to Field.
"We'll probably announce his fee next month. There is no hurry. We have had really good enquiries since it came out that he was retired. I've got no doubt he will cover a full book. We will work out what is a fair price and price him accordingly," he said.
