Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Group 1-winning sprinter Jonker becomes the first son of Champion Queensland sire Spirit Of Boom to retire to stud.
Jonker enjoyed a brilliant career on the track, notching five wins, including a Group 1, and eight minor placings from 30 starts, for earnings in excess of $2 million.
Aquis’ Director of Sales, Jonathan Davies told TDN AusNZ, he was taken aback when he inspected Jonker and simply had to add him to the roster.
“We’ve been bursting at the seams to announce this horse to the public,” Davies said.
Jonker, new to Aquis' roster in 2022 will stand for $16,500 (inc GST) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“He’s a beautiful horse. He really fills the eye as soon as you see him, he’s got a lot of quality about him and a really good presence," said Davies. “He’s got a beautiful hip and shoulder, but he’s just so incredibly well balanced.
“I can’t say enough positive things about the horse.
“He’s (Jonker) got a beautiful hip and shoulder, but he’s just so incredibly well balanced." - Jonathan Davies
“When I went to inspect him, I came away absolutely blown away by the horse; I had to have him, I just had to have him. I love the horse.”
Group 1 glory
In October last year, the Tony Gollan-trained Jonker notched his first Group 1 triumph when he led all the way in the Manikato S. at The Valley under Daniel Moor.
The beaten brigade include Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}), Away Game (Snitzel) and Streets Of Avalon (Magnus).
Davies said Jonker’s Manikato triumph was something to behold.
“His toughness was really on display that night. He did a power of work to get across to the lead and he fended off all challengers,” Davies explained.
Jonathan Davies | Image courtesy of Aquis
“It was a blistering display of sustained speed and a very gutsy victory.
“Obviously, it was a Group 1, but just the way he won that race was really career-defining.”
Gollan was also full of praise for Jonker, saying post-race: “He wasn’t great away, did a mountain of work and was still there fighting at the finish. The others all had their chances. He’s been an incredible horse for all of his connections. He’s had three runs in Group 1s for us for a first, second and third and he’s broken a track record in Brisbane and won a feature on Magic Millions Day.”
In the same year as his Manikato success, Jonker won the $1 million Magic Millions Snippets on the Gold Coast, before running third in the G1 The Galaxy behind multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Eduardo (Host {Chi}), and second behind Vega One (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup.
Jonker, winner of the $1 million Magic Millions Snippets | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Underlying his durability, Jonker won a 900-metere event at Newcastle on debut as a 2-year-old in 2017 and was placed in the G2 Run To The Rose as a 3-year-old.
Jonker joined the Gollan stable in 2020 and immediately made an impression, breaking the Doomben 1200-metre track record in winning the Listed BRC Keith Noud Quality by 4.5l. After jumping from a wide barrier, he led all the way, stopping the clock at a blistering 1:07.83, bettering the previous record held by the great Takeover Target (Celtic Swing {GB}).
“He was a superior juvenile,” Davies added. “He competed against the best and was ultra-consistent during his career.”
“He (Jonker) competed against the best and was ultra-consistent during his career.” - Jonathan Davies
A deep pedigree
Jonker is a son of the all-conquering Spirit Of Boom, who won a G1 Doomben 10,000 and G1 William Reid S.
Spirit Of Boom's sire, Sequalo, was a speed machine and held his own against some of Australia’s great sprinters; including Brawny Spirit (Rustin Amber {Ire}), Gold Ace and Strategic.
Spirit Of Boom is enjoying another stellar season at stud. He sits ninth on the list of 2-Year-Old Sires, with his juvenile progeny amassing 17 wins (from 12 winners) and two stakes wins, while he is 15th on the 3-Year-Old Sires' table and 17th on the overall Sires’ list.
Spirit Of Boom | Standing at Eureka Stud
Jonker’s grandam, Villa Igea (Papal Power {USA}), is the dam of two stakes winners, Fair Trade (Danewin) and Fiscal Fantasy (Skilled), and further back down the female line is blue hen Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}).
“His sireline is one of Australia’s elite sources of 2-year-old speed and Jonker is from a female family that works with a wide variety of pedigrees,” said Davies.
“His pedigree traces back to the Eight Carat family; she’s just a factory or high-class stallions.
“If you combine his pedigree with racetrack performance and his type, he’s a no-brainer, and I think, I might be biased, but I reckon he’s the best-priced first-season stallion in the country this year.”
“If you combine his (Jonker's) pedigree with racetrack performance and his type, he’s a no-brainer... I might be biased, but I reckon he’s the best-priced first-season stallion in the country this year.” - Jonathan Davies
Doug Crane, managing owner of Jonker, is confident his former star will make his mark at stud.
“Having met the team from Aquis Farm and perusing the facilities, we decided it was time for Jonker to go to a deserving home. He has provided us with some great times that will be missed but his lovely nature will ensure he enjoys his next stage in life which we can all enjoy being part of,” Crane said.
