Bel Esprit the benchmark at Eliza Park International

On the back of a highly successful 12 months, Eliza Park International has announced the service fees for its stallion roster in Victoria and Queensland.

With 8 stallions at its Victorian base – headed up by the hugely popular, Fiorente and Group 1 sire, Magnus – the Queensland operation has also been boosted by the re-location of perennial champion, Bel Esprit, for the 2015 season, who will stand alongside three others including rising star, Love Conquers All.

“It’s been a remarkable period for Eliza Park International … a real benchmark,” EPI’s Sales and Nominations Manager, Mark Lindsay, points out.  “Every aspect of the farm is firing on all cylinders.  This autumn alone we’ve seen Pasadena Girl, a 2YO we sold, capture the Group 1 Champagne Stakes, while Ready For Victory (a stakes winner on debut) and Serenade, who race in our colours, both performed extremely well in the Golden Slipper.

Our Racing Division broke in and pre-trained both of them too, and looked on as Watermans Bay, who had some R&R at our Kerrie property, before racing on to Group success.

“It certainly gives us plenty of confidence – and confidence for all our clients – heading into the 2015 season.  Last spring, for instance, we introduced two new stallions in Fiorente and Fighting Sun, with both covering massive books.

In light of his Melbourne Cup and Australian Cup victories (not to mention the likely influence of his phenomenal sire, Monsun) Fiorente attracted the largest book of any first season sire in Australia (186 mares), while we had to put a ceiling on Fighting Sun’s book as he had only just turned three.  Even still, he covered 147 mares and already the enquiries are flooding in for him in 2015.

“Magnus has definitely upgraded his CV too with Magnifisio living right up to her name by winning six black type races, in particular the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes and is now firmly entrenched in Australia’s Top 20 sires by winners.  Magnus is lighting up a global stage too with The Alfonso recently winning the Group 1 Macau Derby by over five lengths.

“Another Group 1 winning sprinter in Wanted has had his fee reduced to $16,500 in 2015 which will be great news to the his wide bench of supporters – especially among trainers like Gai Waterhouse who paid $220,000 for a Wanted colt at this year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions, while, in March, Hawkes Racing forked out $180,000 for a colt and $115,000 for a filly … clearly seeking another Surf Seeker!

“Statue of Liberty remains one of the most underrated stallions on our roster: he’s a tremendous speed source and horses like Dawn Approach, Liberty’s Gem and Lucky Liberty – who won his first three outings – are all great examples of what he continues to produce.

“It comes as no surprise that Moshe’s first crop sold so well in the summer but the fact that relatively few were made available is a clear indication that many breeders are keeping them to race.  Being a full brother to Black Caviar is one thing, but it only takes you so far … that he has served well over 100 mares in each of his three seasons at stud speaks volumes for the type of foals he’s producing.

“Squamosa’s first crop head to 2016 yearling sales and so too should anyone interested in a ready-made racehorse.  He was lightning on four legs and we’re tipping the acorn won’t fall far from the tree.

“And don’t forget Sharkbite – he had two black type horses in three days with Siorca and Shayana, while other recent city winners include Sasenkile, Andrassy and Mako Magic.

“We’re particularly excited about the Queensland quartet and the phones are already ringing hot for Bel Esprit after the announcement of his shift north for this spring.  But he’s in good company.

“Love Conquers All was the most sought out stallion in Queensland last year, covering a book of 181 mares, and the faith of breeders was well and truly justified with his yearlings selling up to $170,000 at major sales … some 12 times service fee.  And we’re already getting good feedback on how they’re breaking in.  We’re very confident Love will conquer all.

“Meanwhile, Exceed And Excel’s speedster, Instinction, covered more mares in season two than in his first year at stud which, again, is as good an indication of the quality of his foals as you’ll get.

“As for Monashee Mountain – not just one of the best value sires in Queensland, but in Australia!  He keeps pumping out the winners – good winners too with Miss Cover Girl, who has won 7 from 11 and over $350,000 being an excellent example.

“And the best part of all?  Eliza Park International will again be offering its LIVE FOAL PAYMENT – in other words, you don’t pay the service fee until you get a live foal, which has been a real plus for broodmare owners.

“This is a great time to be breeding racehorses: sales are up, so is prizemoney and both Victoria and Queensland are moving ahead in leaps and bounds.

“That said, we believe that we offer something for all breeders … winning isn’t exclusive to state boundaries.”

For further information on Eliza Park International’s lineup of stallions in 2015, please phone Mark Lindsay (0416 334 338), Phil Marshall (0407 853 782), Adam Henry (0428 036 472), Mitch Roach (0418 995 984) or Queensland representative, Robyn Wise (0419 174 632).

ELIZA PARK INTERNATIONAL 2015 ROSTER

VICTORIA
Fiorente   $17,600
Magnus   $17,600
Wanted   $16,500
Fighting Sun   $13,750
Statue of Liberty   $11,000
Moshe   $8,800
Squamosa   $6,600
Sharkbite   $5,500

QUEENSLAND
Bel Esprit   $18,700
Love Conquers All   $11,000
Instinction   $5,500
Monashee Mountain   $3,300

* All fees (inc gst)
* Live foal payment on all stallions