Vale, Starcraft

Media Release - Thursday November 3

Rosemont Stud is sad to announce the passing of veteran stallion Starcraft, who died after a short illness on Thursday morning at Rosemont Stud.

Bred in New Zealand by Waikato Stud in 2000, the son of Soviet Star was sold at NZB’s Karaka Yearling Sale for $80,000 to prominent Australian owner Paul Makin and brought to Australia. He would go on to be one of the best horses of the early 2000’s earning fame in both hemispheres with five Group One victories in four different countries.

Starcraft, thanks for the memories!

“It is a sad day for Rosemont with the death of one of our first stallions in Starcraft,” said stud principal Anthony Mithen.

“With the passing of time it is easy to forget what an absolute champion racehorse he was – he won Group One’s in England and France at a time when travelling horses wasn’t as commonplace as it is today. He was a pioneer in that sense and we feel privileged to have been a part of his career. He came to us as a stallion from Arrowfield and helped to establish us in Victoria as a commercial stallion farm and we will be forever grateful to him for that – he is a big part of the Rosemont story. He was an absolute pleasure of a horse to deal with and much loved by everyone on the farm.”

Starcraft began his racing career in Queensland and after winning through his grades he crowned his three-year-old season with his first Group One win, racing older horses at weight-for-age in the Chipping Norton Stakes, followed by a Classic win in the Group One AJC Derby. Returning as a four year old in his native New Zealand he scored a breathtaking win in the Group One Mudgway Stakes, racing successfully through the Spring in New Zealand and Australia before ending his campaign with an excellent third placing in the Group One Cox Plate behind the three year old and now champion New Zealand sire Savabeel.

Following that Makin took the brave step to send him global and he joined the Newmarket stable of legendary trainer Luca Cumani. In September 2005 he became the first New Zealand bred horse ever to win a Group One in Europe with a dominant victory in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. He cemented himself as the best miler in Europe at his next start, winning the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket.

Advertisement

Shortly after those wins a deal was done with Arrowfield Stud and Starcraft commenced his stud career. He would go on to sire 20 stakes winners headlined by Star Witness, winner of the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes and Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes. He forged a strong reputation as a stallion in Hong Kong where he had multiple Top 5 finishes in the Sires premiership through the exploits of horses such as Blizzard, Conte, Winner’s Way and House of Fun.

Arrowfield Stud principal John Messara paid tribute to Starcraft on Thursday.

“Starcraft was a terrific horse. I was only assessing stallions the other day and I came across his Newmarket win in the QEII – he left Dubawi in his wake that day. Dubawi is obviously a champion stallion these days but Starcraft was a better racehorse. We are very proud at Arrowfield to have played our part in his career.

For his contribution to the industry, Starcraft was last year inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. His legacy will continue to live on through his stallion sons Star Witness  & Graff and his grandson Star Turn, not to mention his many daughters who have already begun to build him a growing reputation as a broodmare sire with 11 stakes winners including Group One winner Instant Celebrity and Hong Kong Group One winner Stronger.

Rosemont Stud Release

Advertisment
More Reading...
National Online Breeding Stock Sale online now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
No Fluke – How Good is Autumn Boy?
When Autumn Boy made a winning debut at 50-1 at Canterbury last month beating his high profile stablemate Central Coast, some may have wondered if there was an element of fluke about the win… there wasn’t.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Spirit of Boom Colt wins 2YO Championship Final
Tony Pike-trained juveniles Boombox and Ashoka ran their second quinella of the month in the ITM/GIB 2YO Championship Final (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday, with Boombox getting the better of his stablemate on both occasions.
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
Cambridge Stud to Sell Entire Draft at Karaka 2026
Leading thoroughbred nursery Cambridge Stud have committed their full support for NZB’s 2026 National Yearling Sales Series, with the announcement they will be selling 100% of their yearling stock at Karaka. 
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 26
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Super Promising Winner for Ole Kirk
Ole Kirk is setting the pace among first season sires and added a new winner to his tally at Caulfield on Saturday with Sonofkirk producing a dazzling finish to score an eye-catching victory.