Victorian coup as globetrotter Highland Reel joins Swettenham’s 2018 roster

In an incredible coup for the Victorian breeding industry, the seven-time global Group 1 winner, Highland Reel (IRE) will be joining Swettenham Stud’s outstanding stallion line-up.

Highland Reel will be the best-credentialed stallion to ever stand in Victoria, bringing exceptional speed, class, pedigree and physical presence to Victoria’s premier thoroughbred nursery.

An optimistic Adam Sangster is delighted to present to breeders Swettenham Stud’s 2018 roster.

“The opportunities that are constantly presented to ourselves in this dynamic and rewarding industry mean we can gather highly appealing commercial bloodlines, domestically and internationally. This gives breeders access to the important four P’s; Pedigree, Performance, Presence and Price.”

“Additionally, Swettenham Stud offers mare owners top-quality agistment and walk out services. Combining high-quality pastures, 24-hour care, and the perfect temperate climate, all mares receive individual attention from our specialist team, headed by resident reproductive vet, Dr John Hurley, who proudly boasts 92% fertility on farm,” Sangster said.

Ready for a busy season ahead, Swettenham Stud’s Nominations and Sales Manager, Sam Matthews, takes us through the 2018 stallions.

Highland Reel (IRE)

“With seven Group 1 wins, and being a Group 2 winner at two over 1400m, Highland Reel is a household name due to his racetrack success, and we are confident he will be a household name due to his stallion success in the coming years,” Matthews said.

A son of Galileo, the global champion is bred on the same potent Galileo-Danehill cross as Frankel and Teofilo and is from the family of sprinting star and sire Starspangledbanner.

“It’s fantastic for Victoria, as he is the best of the best, and we are highly confident he will attract strong numbers of well-credentialed broodmares locally and nationally at such a competitive fee.”

Highland Reel will stand at an introductory price of $15,000 plus GST.

Americain

“This season has been a breakthrough for Americain, currently the leading Victorian second season sire with 13 winners, and through strong recent and upcoming stakes performers across multiple states, he is really starting to hit his straps,” Matthews said.

A brilliant stayer with an exciting turn of foot, Americain is an outstanding looking individual.

With proven International bloodlines, by the Champion US sire Dynaformer, a son of the great Roberto, Americain’s service fee provides excellent value at $10,000 plus GST.

Puissance De Lune

The only Group-winning son of European champion Shamardal to stand at stud in Victoria, Puissance De Lune was highly competitive in elite company, with four placings at Group 1 level and a dual Group 2 winner over 1400m and 1600m.

“His progeny have sold up to $80,000 and have been well received by the top stables, including his trainer, Darren Weir, who has been known to secure them at any price,” Matthews said.

“Reports are that they are breaking in exceptionally well, with their sire’s superb temperament. Being from some strong black-type mares and we are eager to see them hit the track next season,”

“It’s not a bloodline we can access easily in Victoria. Puissance De Lune offers an outcross, he embraced our way of training, was competitive in the toughest races in high-quality fields, and showed brilliant explosive speed. - Mat Becker of Group 1 Bloodstock.

Puissance De Lune’s service fee for the 2018 season is $8,000 plus GST.

Rebel Dane

The ultimate colonial bred sprinter, the dual Group 1 winner Rebel Dane raced in world-class company throughout his career, demonstrating his speed, quality, consistency and tenacity.

“He has let down into a magnificent stallion, and with Spirit Of Boom breaking the mold of dual Group 1 winning stallion’s retiring late, we are confident that Rebel Dane can too produce an incredible crop of foals this year: Matthews said.

“An ideal VOBIS sire, we are looking forward to Rebel Dane’s first foals arriving in early spring.”

An important and imperative sprinting component of Swettenham’s stallion roster, Rebel Dane will stand in 2018 for $9000 plus GST.

Toronado (IRE)

The fastest son of outstanding sire, High Chaparral, Toronado is dual Group 1 winner, and an unbeaten Group 2 winning two-year-old.

Toronado continues to tick the boxes, with incredible sales results from his first crop of yearlings to go through the ring, stamping his progeny as strong, correct and precocious.

“At Premier his yearlings averaged five and a half times his service fee, with the standout lot, out of She’s Got Gears secured for $340,000 for the Hawkes stable. At Easter the outstanding Demasheen colt was purchased for $270,000 by WA’s Yenrise,” Matthews said.

“Those results mean that Toronado’s return investment from a service fee perspective is greater than any other stallion standing in Victoria.”

“They are breaking in like they will run early, much like their sire, and have landed in some of the top stables including Hawkes, Robbie Griffiths, Weir, Mick Kent and Mick Price.”

Combining his blue-blood pedigree, his powerful physique and his high-class performances, Toronado will again serve an exceptionally good book of mares for $20,000 plus GST.

Trust In A Gust

A dual Group 1 winner, an impressive individual, and a consistent top class galloper, Trust In A Gust took out the “stallion making” Group 1 Rupert Clarke and the time honoured Toorak Handicap.

Victoria’s VOBIS golden boy, Trust In A Gust secured success in the VOBIS Gold Eureka, VOBIS Gold Star and the VOBIS Gold Carat.

“We have been very impressed with the Trust In A Gust weanlings, being powerfully built just like their sire, and we expect they will be very popular at the yearling sales next year.”

“Off the back of these quality types, and at a competitive fee, we anticipate he will secure a large book of mares this season,” Matthews said.

Closely related to Thunder Snow, the recent winner of the Dubai World Cup, through his dam’s half-sister Red Slippers, he offers international bloodlines with proven world-class Group 1 performers.

Trust In A Gust will stand in 2018 for $6,000 plus GST.