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...
Stakes Next for Extremely Smart Filly
By outstanding sire Extreme Choice from Shane Nichols former stable favourite and Group I VRC Myer Classic winner I Am a Star, exciting filly Esha has the ability to match her pedigree.
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
Melbourne Cup on Radar for Sons and Lovers
Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and that was mentioned as a possible goal for progressive young stayer Sons and Lovers, who won the Group III Ballyroan Stakes (1m4f) at Leopardstown overnight.
Zoustar Entering the Zenith
The dictionary tells us Zenith is an astronomical term —describing the highest point in an arc travelled by a star, planet or another celestial body- and in the case of this story it’s planet Zoustar!
Sires With Winners - Thursday August 7
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ozzmosis First Born is Feeling Frisky!
Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis was in demand at Newgate last spring covering 192 mares and his first born foal that arrived on July 31 at Alma Vale Thoroughbreds is the source of great pride for owners Ian and Cathy Mathieson.
Kiwi Bred 'Jenni' Scores for Maher
Lightly-raced six-year-old mare Jennivamoose scored a comfortable victory in the Donnellans The Tyremen Handicap (2500m) at The Valley on Saturday under a patient Harry Coffey ride.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 9
Here is the full list of 90 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Stakes-Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
Back at Coolmore Australia this spring for his fourth season, 2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark‘s Basilica (Fr) is on the board with his first stakes-winner after Thesecretadversary rolled the favourite to win the Listed Churchill Stakes (7 ½ f) at Tipperary overnight.
Queman’s Behemoth Performance At Morphettville
Not seen on race day for some 69 weeks, Shane and Cassie Oxlade’s Queman showed utter grit and determination to lead throughout at Morphettville, winning the Group 3 SAJC Behemoth Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.