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The rapid development of the Aquis Group into one of the leaders of the Australian racing and breeding industry has taken another step with the establishment of a third stud farm in Victoria.
Aquis Group CEO Shane McGrath announced the expansion of Aquis into Victoria with Group winners Lean Mean Machine and Siege Of Quebec to stand at the Seymour property.
The Victorian farm complements the large scale breeding operations of Aquis in Queensland and NSW.
Aquis has six stallions on its NSW roster for 2019 at the former Emirates Park Stud at Murrurundi and another seven serving at its Canungra farm in Queensland.
Well known industry professional Murray Tillett has been appointed to oversee the Aquis operations in Victoria.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for me and a massive vote of confidence in the future of the Victorian breeding industry,” Tillet said.
“Aquis are a dynamic organisation building a very strong reputation. I’m delighted to be a part of growing their operation.”
Lean Mean Machine will stand at $17,600 and Siege Of Quebec for $13,200. Both fees include GST.
Zoustar colt Lean Mean Machine won the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes as a 2YO beating Zousain and added the G2 Run To The Rose to his record as a 3YO early this season.
He went on to finish third in the stallion-making G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington last spring.
Fastnet Rock’s son Siege Of Quebec&Nbsp;cost $1.2 million as a yearling, being the highest priced progeny by his champion sire in 2016.
This season as a 4YO he defeated G1 winners Pierata and Music Magnate in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at Randwick and was third in the G1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield in the spring.
He ended his career at Randwick last month with a career best performance in the G1 All Aged Stakes, finishing third to Pierata in record time.
Siege Of Quebec, who beat 18 individual G1 winners during his career, comes from the immediate family of $7 million earner and sire Criterion and G1 winner Comin’ Through.
Aquis is owned by the Hong Kong-based Fung family and was established in 2015 when the company purchased the Wadham Park racing facility at Canungra along with three surrounding properties at a cost of more than $30 million.
In 2017 Aquis took over the management of the historic Emirates Park property at Murrurundi. The the addition of the Victorian arm at Seymour the Aquis roster has grown from four stallions in 2016 to 15 for the 2019 season.
Aquis has spent over $50 million acquiring bloodstock since 2015 that includes a broodmare band of some 200 mares plus more than 160 racehorses with leading trainers in Queesnalnd, NSW and Victoria.
