Cover image courtesy of Coolmore
You couldn’t get a finer August afternoon in the Hunter Valley and Coolmore looked in rude health. The farm looks absolutely terrific, as did the stallions.
The Paella was the perfect entrée to James Bester’s dulcet tones and Tom Moore spoke excellently about King’s Legacy and Wootton Bassett. Many wouldn’t have seen the latter in the flesh, and he was very impressive on the eye. He was well-supported by the Magnier family last year in Europe and I’m sure he’ll be well-received once again by Australian breeders as his progeny continue to flourish in the Northern Hemisphere.
Acrobat, new to Coolmore for the 2022 season | Image courtesy of Coolmore
We got to see a diverse group of stallions that Coolmore have put together over the last 30 years; from that precocious, Australian 2-year-old type to the elite European middle-distance horses which could well become the flavour of breeders once again with such excellent prizemoney on offer in the Classic year through to 4- and 5-year-olds.
There’s also Saxon Warrior, who is an exciting stallion considering that in the last 12 months we’ve seen how powerful the Japanese breed has been from America to Dubai and, in recent years, Australia.
St Mark’s Basilica was such an exceptional 3-year-old, and by Siyouni who needs no introduction in Australia thanks to the likes of Amelia’s Jewel. There’s a diverse cross section both on pedigree and on price, meaning there’s something on offer for nearly every breeder at Coolmore.
St Mark's Basilica (Fr), new to Coolmore for the 2022 season | Image courtesy of Coolmore
The highlight of the show, given his exploits last season, was definitely Home Affairs. As a yearling he looked like a Bentley, and he had the price to match. You mustn’t forget that he was catalogued at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale and, barring a setback, he might have made more there than the COVID-affected sale later in the year.
His efforts to race in the Slipper at two should be noted – there have been so many champion stallions to run in that race without necessarily winning it, such as Written Tycoon and Fastnet Rock.
He was so good in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and to beat the older horses as a 3-year-old at Flemington really showed that he was top-quality and the fastest son of I Am Invincible, with an excellent stallion pedigree too.
Home Affairs, new to Coolmore for the 2022 season | Image courtesy of Coolmore
He’s going to be well-supported by the Magnier family at stud and in the yearling sales, and not every farm gets behind their stock at the sales, so it gives breeders confidence that they’ll be rewarded.
As a mainstay of their roster, you have to mention Fastnet Rock. It was great to see him, he looks in great nick for an older boy. When James was reeling off his statistics, including the number of Group 1 winners he’s had, the country’s other top stallions start to pale in comparison.
He won’t be around forever and if you’re searching for a proven stallion at a reasonable fee then, given his record, you’d be remiss not to utilise him.
