Ellsberg to Stand at Murrulla Stud

Media Release - Sunday July 23

A brilliant Group 1 winner of one of Australia’s toughest elite-level races, the Epsom Handicap, Murrulla Stud is excited to offer Ellsberg for his debut breeding season in 2023, in conjunction with his ownership group.

Ellsberg is a G1 winning grand-son of champion sire Snitzel.

Only out of the placings five times during his 25-start career, Ellsberg highlighted himself as an elite athlete from the outset. A debut winner at three, he placed in his first of 14 stakes races at just his third start.

Giving his ownership a brilliant ride, Ellsberg performed with huge merit in a host of Australia’s feature races, and never stopped improving throughout his career.

“Tough, honest and he never knew how to give up,” trainer Gerald Ryan summed up. “He had a brilliant attitude, and just the most kind nature of any horse I’ve had.

“Physically, he’s just outstanding - a big, strapping boy who was a pleasure to train the whole way through.”

As a 4-year-old Ellsberg was an outstanding winner of the G3 Liverpool City Cup, after which he was a game second in the G2 Ajax Stakes before a creditable run in the Doncaster, his first Group 1. He was then dropped back in trip to take on the All-Aged Stakes, in which he posted one of his best performances to finish third, ahead of the likes of Mo’unga, Forbidden Love, In The Congo and Hungry Heart.

Ellsberg ended his career in remarkable style towards the end of 2022. After yet another stakes placing in the G2 Shannon Stakes, he was sent into the G1 Epsom Handicap where he showed unending grit and determination to reel in the leaders, leaving four individual elite-level winners in his wake to land a deserved Group 1.

Ellsberg scored a memorable dead heat win in the G1 Epsom with Top Ranked (IRE).

Clearly in the form of his life, Ellsberg was aimed towards the Five Diamonds next, with an eye on the huge prizemoney available. Devastating the Prelude with a 2.5-length romp, he stepped up to 1800 metres for the $2 million feature three weeks later and was never in danger – he even smashed the 1800-metre track record which was held by Intergaze since 1997 by over half a second, carrying 59kg in the process.

“Earning $3.3 million is a mark of pure quality, and we’re really excited to offer Ellsberg this season,” said Tim Nolan of Murrulla Stud. “He’s a beautiful horse, and breeders are going to love him when they set eyes on him.

Advertisement

“He’s retired at the peak of his powers as a Group 1 winner and it’s a great honour to have a horse of his calibre standing his first season at Murrulla.”

Standing at 16.2hh, Ellsberg is an outstanding type. He is truly unforgettable to everyone that meets him, with his impressive physique and beautiful temperament.

He was a ‘must-have’ yearling for Gerald Ryan at Magic Millions in 2019, reminding the trainer of both his father, Spill The Beans, and grandfather, Snitzel, who were similarly tough, consistent and highly talented racehorses for Ryan.

Murrulla Stud looks forward to working with breeders this season, and will offer Ellsberg for $11,000 (inc. GST). Limited breeding rights are available, please call:

Tim Nolan: +61 417 140 712

Celie Nolan: +61 400 301 797

Or, email: timandcelie@murrullastud.com.au

Advertisment
More Reading...
Bred to Win Returns on Monday night
Caroline Searcy’s Bred To Win returns this Monday night profiling new and proven stallions heading into the Spring of 2025 and promoting the thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia and around the world.
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 2
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Darley Announce 2025 Fees
Darley have announced fees on their powerful roster of 14 stallions split between NSW and Victoria with Broadsiding set to join the team at Kelvinside in the Hunter Valley at a fee of $66,000.
Vinery Announce 2025 Fees - Ole Kirk Headlines
Vinery Stud has announced its 2025 stallion roster, featuring an outstanding line-up of proven sires and rising stars, headlined by the exceptional Ole Kirk, who will stand at an increased service fee of $99,000 inc. GST following a sensational debut at stud.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
City of Troy Confirmed for Coolmore Australia- Fee Set
Unbeaten European Champion 2YO and three-time Group One-winning European Champion 3YO, City Of Troy (USA) will join the Coolmore Australia stallion roster in 2025 to carry on the legacy of his sire Justify.
King of Roseau Wins G3 Aurie’s Star
Placed in the Listed VRC Poseidon Stakes at Flemington last spring as a three year-old behind Growing Empire, Capitalist gelding King of Roseau returned to the same venue on Saturday to capture the Group III VRC Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m).
Inglis Digital Bargain Buys Deliver Kosciuszko Dreamers
Sunshine Law was not the only Inglis Digital success story to come out of the Rosehill meeting on Saturday with two contenders for this year’s $2million Kosciuszko also giving connections cause to dream big and one of them is an unbeaten mare with a Black Type pedigree.