Sad Passing of Mossman

Media Release - Sunday August 8

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of one of our foundation sires, Mossman.

RIP Mossman - image Bronwen Healy.

Bred by Peter and Wendy Moran, Mossman was a talented galloper on the track under the guidance of Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Connors. A Group 1 winner of the Queensland Classic (later known as the J.J. Atkins Stakes), he would also place in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes and ATC Champagne Stakes as a juvenile. At three he won twice at Stakes level including the Group 3 MVRC AAMI Vase over the 2040m Moonee Valley course and was also second in the Group 1 Australian Guineas behind Dignity Dancer.

Retired to stud in 2000 Mossman first stood at the Moran’s Noble Park Stud in Queensland for $5,000 and averaged just 32 mares covered over his first three seasons at stud. Instant racetrack success would follow with his first three crops producing 57 runners, of which 43 won including Group winners Our Sweet Moss, Segments and Pure Energy, who was second in the 2006 Golden Slipper Stakes behind Miss Finland.

This early success would instigate a deal between Vinery and the Moran family that saw the stallion relocate to the Hunter Valley property for the 2004 season. Mossman stood for a further 14 seasons at Vinery, establishing himself as one of the most consistent and popular stallions in the country and an integral part of Vinery’s success and brand.

Mossman sired Golden Slipper winner Mossfun among his 41 stakes-winners - image Bronwen Healy.

Retired from stud duties in 2018 Mossman had a distinguished career at stud with a winners to runners percentage of over 73% and 41 individual Stakes winners, of which 6 won at Group 1 level.

His list of top-class performers is headed by tough campaigner Buffering, a winner of 20 races and over $7.2 million in prize money. The Rob Heathcote trained gelding met with international success when taking out the Group 1 Medan Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai and he won a further six Group 1 races in Australia including the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on three occasions.

Advertisement

Mossman’s daughter Mossfun took centre stage when winning the Golden Slipper Stakes in 2014 and in the process assisted her sire to become that season’s Champion two-year-old Sire; his barn mate Testa Rossa was second.

He also sired additional Group 1 winners Plucky Belle, Miss Mossman, Ofcourseican and Hong Kong Chairman’s Sprint Prize winner Ivictory.

“Mossman has made a massive impact on the Australia industry and played an enormous role in the success of the farm. He was a horse of great character and had the most beautiful nature. He will be sadly missed by all those around him, especially our staff who cared so well for him throughout his time here at Vinery. Mossman will be laid to rest next to his own sire Success Express, overlooking the stallion area,” said Vinery’s General Manager, Peter Orton.

News from Vinery

Advertisment
More Reading...
Up and Coming Well Named - So Who Are These Guys?
The $250,000 Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday is a race well named with a field of eight colts and geldings set to line up and while none are stakes-winners yet, one of them will be after the weekend.
Breeding to Win - 2025 G1 Memsie Stakes
The big guns step out and spring is on in earnest when the Memsie (1400m WFA) rolls around and what a cracking field we have in 2025 for the first G1 of the Southern spring with 11 runners and 10 are G1 winners!
Damask Rose Looking to Kickstart Te Akau Melbourne Spring
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition.
Vale, Naturale
On our recent trip to Victoria for the stallion parades we had the pleasure of staying at Gilgai Farm where we met the lovely Naturale, the unraced sister to Black Caviar, who had a difficult life and achieved fame and fortune as the dam of champion sire Ole Kirk.
Tara Talks Racing – Stallion Parades, Old Legends and a Weekend Tip
We’re back in podcast land as the spring unfolds with plenty to talk about following our recent run of visits to the stallion parades, so what stallions did we like?
Sires With Winners - Friday August 29
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 28
Here is the full list of 33 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Gosford
He’s big and beautiful and it looks like the patient approach might be about to pay off for this talented I Am Invincible four year-old who won on debut at Gosford on Friday.
Melbourne Cup Dreaming for Kiwi Stayer
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday.
G1 Plan for Kiwi Sprinter Niance
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week.