Snitzel's Group 1 winning son Sword Of State to join roster for 2022
Cambridge Stud has announced their 2022 stallion roster with Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) subject to a fee increase, while Sword Of State (Snitzel) will stand at the farm this spring.
Set to be crowned champion first season sire in New Zealand, Almanzor will stand for a fee of NZ$50,000 (plus GST), up from NZ$30,000 a year ago. The son of Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) has sired three winners so far headed by Group 1 placed colt Dynastic who won the Karaka 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m).
"We have given careful consideration to our stallion fees for 2022, in relation to our fellow breeders and the New Zealand industry," Cambridge Stud Chief Executive Officer Henry Plumptre said.
"We are encouraged by the resilience of the yearling market at Karaka - closed borders for the second consecutive year making life difficult for everybody, but the average lifting by nearly 20 per cent in Book 1 which was something of an achievement.
"In respect of the Cambridge Stud stallions, we are very pleased with the Australasian yearling market endorsing Almanzor for the second year, buying up with confidence across the sales, suggesting that our main customers are happy with their stock."
Sword Of State will be campaigned at the Queensland winter carnival by trainer Mark Walker before standing his first season at stud later this year.
"Sword of State's fee will be set after a short campaign in Brisbane, which commences with the Gold Coast Guineas on May 7," Plumptre said.
"If he performs well that day, he will take his chance in the Kingsford-Smith Cup on May 28 at Eagle Farm. He will not run in either if the tracks are rain affected."
Like Almanzor, multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) will return later this year from his Northern Hemisphere base at Haras d'Etreham and his second season fee will remain at NZ$30,000 (plus GST) after covering a full book in his debut year at Cambridge Stud.
"The quality of his first book was high with some exciting mares from breeders and his shareholders, not to mention Cambridge Stud stock," Plumptre said.
"His first foals have arrived in France and the Haras d'Etreham team are delighted with them. The exploits of Kodiac's sons at stud are now a big talking point in Europe, which is very positive for our future with him."
Associate sire Embellish's (Savabeel) fee will also remain at NZ$4,000 + GST and his first crops have been well-received at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sale.
His progeny has been purchased by respected buyers David Ellis, Marcus Corban Bloodstock, The Robt Dawe Agency and trainers Peter Moody, Stephen Marsh and Roger James and Robert Wellwood.
Embellish was more popular than ever last season when he served 158 mares with his first two-year-olds to be seen out next season.
"Embellish embarks on his fourth year at stud with strong representation on the ground and a combined number of around 180 yearlings and weanlings to boost his prospects," Plumptre said.
"With another large book last year, he will have numbers and Cambridge Stud have retained a number to race ourselves. His pedigree and his signature win in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas make him compelling currency hailing as he does from the strongest male line in the New Zealand Stud Book."
All stallion fees are payment on live foal terms.
