Mapperley Stud Mourn Loss of Contributer

Media Release - Monday September 9

The Davison family and the team at Mapperley Stud are in mourning after the shock loss of their good friend and group one sire Contributer.

Contributer, a champion son of High Chaparral was starting his 9th season at the Matamata based stud, died suddenly on Sunday morning.

Vale, Contributer (IRE)

A dual Gr.1 winner on the racetrack, Contributer was crowned Champion Australian Middle Distance Horse of the Year after a brilliant autumn campaign where he won the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes, Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes and the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes all in succession.

Known affectionately as Barry to everyone who worked with him,  stud master Simms Davison was devastated with the loss of his friend who he had worked so closely with over the years.

“I am absolutely gutted, Contributer has been a big part of our lives and our stud for many years. I’m still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Contributer, the entire team are very shocked by the news," he said.

“He was such a character, an awesome horse to work with. He had a wonderful temperament, an engaging personality and everyone who worked with him just loved him."

Lion's Roar was the first G1 winner for Contributer - image Steve Hart

Contributer had made a name for himself as a sire when he was crowned Champion 2nd season sire after leaving the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas winner Lion’s Roar in his first crop of 3 year-olds. His first crop proved to be a massive success with 6 individual stakes winners and a 2nd Gr.1 winner in Campionessa.

With his eldest progeny 7 year-olds, Contributer is the sire of 103 winners including 9 individual stakes winners and a total of 24 stakes performers.

“He had truly started to shine as a sire, he had left some tremendously talented racehorses and we know his legacy will live on,” added Davison

"From very limited numbers, he's preformed incredibly well as a sire. What he has achieved on the track is pretty amazing.

“He was very much in our proven stallion ranks in New Zealand, it’s a big loss not only for our stud but for the entire industry.

“He has some very talented 3 year-olds coming through this season, and he was on a trajectory to go to another level in the next few years.”



“Hopefully his offspring can do their father proud this season, and we still have a lovely bunch of yearlings by him on the farm. We will cherish these last foals that are due to be born this season”

Visit the profile page for Contributer

Contributer in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
Henry Longfellow Pedigree Gets an Update
Group I winning Dubawi stallion Henry Longfellow (IRE) is covering his first Australian book of mares at Rosemont Stud this spring and overnight in Ireland his two year-old sister-in-blood landed her first Group race win.