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Cambridge Stud shuttlers prove popular for breeders
Cambridge Stud shuttle stallions Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) and Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) are fully booked for the 2021 breeding season. Both horses were offered at a fee of NZ$30,000 (plus GST) and were limited to 140 mares.
“Our main focus since the change of ownership at Cambridge Stud has been to identify stallion prospects that appeal to New Zealand breeders and give them a real alternative to sending their mares to Australia,” Cambridge Stud chief executive officer Henry Plumptre said.
“To have two stallions full before the end of March is a great endorsement for them, but it also shows the returning confidence of New Zealand breeders to premium, domestic stallions.”
Almanzor’s first crop of yearlings were well received in the sales rings in Australia and New Zealand this season, finishing every sale as the leading first season sire. The son of Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) - who himself will shuttle to Coolmore Australia in 2021 - had 56 yearling sell for an aggregate $11,243,549 at an average of $200,777, his top colt was purchased by Ultra Thoroughbreds and Baystone Farm for $800,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He will be joined for the first time this year at the New Zealand nursery by dual Hello Youmzain, who boasts an attractive race record, having won five of his 12 starts, headlined by victories in last year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f), while he also took out the Haydock Sprint (Gr 1, 6f) in 2019.
“In Almanzor and Hello Youmzain, we have found two European stallions with great conformation, strong pedigrees and outstanding performance. With Embellish, we have a son of New Zealand’s premier stallion with the same attributes,” Plumptre said.
“He has been well supported with over 240 mares across his first two seasons and he has passed his own good looks on to his foals.
“We would like to thank our shareholders and supporters for their faith in our operation and we look forward with optimism to the years ahead.”
