Hilal Popular at Grangewilliam Stud

Media Release - Wednesday August 28

Hilal has received a warm welcome from breeders with Grangewilliam Stud close to putting up the no vacancy sign on their newcomer.

The regally bred son of Fastnet Rock will stand his first season at Mark and Jane Corcoran’s operation at Waitotara following a decorated racing career across the Tasman.

Blue blood Fastnet Rock stallion Hilal stands at Grangewilliam Stud  - image Steve Hart

“We have been very happy with the response, we have had really good support and he’s got over 100 mares booked to him already,” Mark Corcoran said.

“I think I will limit him to 120, so he’s not far off. We have got some of the bigger studs involved, which has been great, and well-known smaller breeders.

“The horse will get the numbers to kick him off, it’s very pleasing because when you go out and buy these horses you put your cards on the table and hope people agree with your judgment.

“Fortunately, the breeders have come on board and everyone who has seen him have liked what they’ve seen so it’s a really pleasing response.”

Bred and raced by Emirates Park, Hilal won three races from the stable of John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes and showed the precocious side of his nature with a debut juvenile victory.

He also finished runner-up in the Gr.1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) behind champion performer Anamoe and was second in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) to Captivant.

The following season, Hilal stamped his quality with successes in the Gr.2 Stan Fox Stakes (1600m) and the A$1million Bondi Stakes (1600m) and placed in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m).

He also finished fourth in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) as a four-year-old, again chasing home Anamoe, with Fangirl and Profondo filling the minor placings and Group One winners Hinged, Icebath, Forbidden Love and Mo’Unga behind him.

Hilal was retired as a three-time winner and seven placings swelled his career earnings to more than A$1.3 million.

“I was approached by David Mee, of Pinhook Bloodstock, who put us on to the horse and Jane and I went over to see Hilal when he was spelling just out of Sydney,” Corcoran said.

Advertisement

“We liked what we saw and Dave Keenan was over there and he vetted him for us, he really liked what he saw as well and came on board and bought a breeding right, so that was great.”

Hilal arrived at Grangewilliam in early May and quickly settled into his new surroundings.

“He has let down really nicely, he’s a great looking horse with plenty of scope, length and strength about him,” Corcoran said.

“He’s a muscular horse and not too heavy for a Fastnet Rock. He’s been a very easy horse to deal with.”

Hilal stands at $7,500 + GST alongside the proven trio of Derryn, The Bold One and Zed.

“We’re going to have a busy season and the other boys are all going well,” Corcoran said.

“Derryn keeps getting the winners with good horses like Spencer going around, The Bold One has got some pretty exciting horses kicking off in the spring and Zed keeps doing what he does best.”

Hilal is a son of the unraced Encosta De Lago mare Salma and the outstanding family of multiple Group One winner and champion sire Redoute’s Choice.

“We’ve got a good team, it’s a good stallion line-up and Hilal would be the best credentialled horse we have stood,” Corcoran said.

“His progeny will be ideal to target any number of the bonus races in New Zealand like the Karaka Millions and the NZB Kiwi, among others.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Zoustar 7YO Chasing G1 for Cambridge Stud
South Africa will tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night and earlier in the day a horse named after one of their favourite sons will be vying for Group One glory down the road at Ellerslie Racecourse.
Vale, Robert Priscott
Former Group One-winning trainer Robert Priscott has passed away.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 2
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Spring Trial Watch – Caulfield
With a plethora of Group racing for colts and geldings last weekend and fillies to take centre stage Sydney on Saturday for the Group II ATC Furious Stakes it was interesting to see a Caulfield trial on Tuesday morning that featured six stakes-winning 3YO’s.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 31
Here is the full list of 63 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tara Talks Racing - We Chat with the Breeder of Raging Force
The Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes was won last Saturday by exciting Cosmic Force gelding Raging Force, so this week we’re chatting to his breeder Dr Richard McClenahan of Mullaglass Stud, who has a self-confessed ‘mare addiction’!
Vale, G1 winning horseman Tony Dennis
A member of one of New Zealand racing’s most famous and successful families has died, with the recent passing of Tony (Anthony) Dennis, aged 86.
Melbourne Racing Club Announces Official Trial Schedule for 2025–26
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) is thrilled to announce a comprehensive schedule of 15 Official Trials across the 2025–26 season, providing an essential service to trainers, owners and jockeys while addressing the industry’s increasing need for metropolitan grass access.
Waller Stable Hold the Key to Melbourne Cup
Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller has 27 of the 120 entries for this year’s $10million Melbourne Cup, which equates to more than 20 per cent of the total, so it’s probably worth having a closer look at them.
Winning Debut for Blueblood Frankel Filly
We usually associate the Mark Walker stable with the tangerine colours of Te Akau racing, but it was John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds colours in the frame for the astute Kiwi trainer trainer at Benalla on Tuesday carried by blueblood Frankel filly Chateau Eze.