Muollo rapt with Staphanos’ reception at Karaka

Media Release - Thursday March 10

Novara Park principal Luigi Muollo is over the moon with the debut performance of his stallion Staphanos at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka this week.

Novara Park stallion Staphanos. Photo: Trish Dunell

Muollo offered three fillies by the sire in the Book 1 session of the sale, with two exceeding the $200,000 mark.

Lot 32, the half-sister to Group Three performer Explosively, was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $200,000, while trainer Chris Waller purchased lot 234, the half-sister to Derby hero Explosive Jack, in partnership with Yes Blodstock for $250,000.

“They looked the part and you never know until you get here, but they were really well received,” Muollo said.

“It was nice for the first one to go to David Ellis because he is a good judge and his record has been outstanding.

“I am really happy for Chris Waller to grab the half to Explosive Jack.”

From a service fee of $7,000, Muollo said Staphanos has proven to be a great investment for breeders.

“It can be pretty risky going to that high service fee and you never know what happens to a fence or which way a leg is going, so a return on average of 24 times the service fee, the profit is fantastic,” he said.

Staphanos’ crop numbers have naturally fallen in the last few seasons, however, Muollo said he has been buoyed by the feedback from trainers and bloodstock agents upon inspecting his progeny.

“Staphanos served a book of 108 (mares) in his first year, 79 in his second year, and 40 in his third year because I had to go and support King of Comedy (Novara Park’s new season sire),” he said.

“It is a numbers game, but I think the quality that everyone has seen, the respect amongst trainers and agents has really come up.”

Muollo is now looking forward to the Book 2 session of the sale where 15 Staphanos yearlings will go through the sale ring.

Advertisement

“I have seen some nice ones that will go through Book 2, including a half to Xplosion out of Xpress (the dam of Group One performer Xpression),” Muollo said.

Meanwhile, Muollo is excited to announce a new stallion acquisition for his operation – What’s The Story.

Runner-up to Rangipo in the 2016 Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), the Savabeel entire has been standing at Norwegian Farm for the last four seasons and could have a new home in the spring.

“I have ended up buying a stallion called What’s The Story, by Savabeel,” Muollo said.

“He was good enough to win his first start over 1200m as a three-year-old and was runner-up in the New Zealand Derby.

“He is a Savabeel who had racetrack ability and has got the sire and damline pedigree.

“He didn’t get big numbers, about 35 in his first crop and 34 in his second. It is really hard to make it work on those numbers but everyone that has seen them has noted he has really put the Savabeel into them.

“I bred and race a son of his who bolted in over 800m at the trials today for Clint Isdale and I think he is a Derby horse.

“We will start him in the Staphanos Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600m) and if we can win the Champagne I will put him on a plane to Australia and either go to the JJ Atkins (Gr.1, 1600m) or the VRC Derby (Gr.1, 2500m).

“I own half (What’s The Story) with Norwegian Farm and if he does win to Champagne we will probably move him to Novara Park, we won’t announce his service fee until a later date.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Kiwi Sires a Recipe for NZB Ready to Run Sale Success
Much of the NZB Ready to Run Sale’s extraordinary success has been underpinned by the stallions that have stood in New Zealand in recent decades.
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.
Mogumber Park hoists wet sail with Marine One
This time last year, the first foals by Mogumber Park stallion Marine One were widely regarded as some of the best types on the ground in Western Australia.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
New Stakes-Winner for Zoustar
The $150,000 Listed Hannan’s Handicap (1400m) provided reigning champion sire Zoustar with a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding Multinational led for home and could not be caught.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
We had three heats for 2YO’s run at Warwick Farm on Friday morning over 815m with winners by Farnan, Ole Kirk and Kia Ora Stud’s first season sire Captivant, while Stay Inside had an impressive trial winner at Murray Bridge.