When Te Akau boss David Ellis attended Magic Millions in 2020 he returned to New Zealand with seven yearlings that included a $360,000 filly by I Am Invincible and a $600,000 colt by Snitzel, the former was NZ Horse of the Year Imperatriz and the latter was Champion NZ 2YO Sword of State, whose first yearlings will be offered at the Gold Coast in January.
Bred by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Sword of State was foaled and raised at leading Hunter Valley nursery Newgate Farm and was their second highest priced yearling among 46 that they sold at the Gold Coast that year.
The good looks, easy temperament and natural athleticism that were apparent to renowned judge David Ellis at that sale quickly translated into race track success with four wins and a placing behind Imperatriz from five starts at two stamping him as the best juvenile in New Zealand.
Sword of State won the Group I Sistema Stakes (1200m) and Group III Matamata Slipper (1200m) by a cumulative 10 lengths over Karaka Million 2YO winner and subsequent Group I winner On The Bubbles.
He won the Matamata Slipper in a race record time of 1:08.78 and his closing 600m in the Sistema Stakes of 33.15 was only bettered on the card by Group I mare Levante (33.14).
“There was consideration given to taking him across to Australia in the autumn of his two year-old season and he was second favourite in early markets for the ATC Sires’ Produce (G1) behind Anamoe, but ultimately didn’t take his place due to the soft track conditions,” revealed Cambridge Stud’s Scott Calder.
Sword of State struck brilliant form at the start of 2022 with wins in the Group III Almanzor Trophy (1200m) beating Imperatriz and then the Group III King’s Plate (1200m), which he won in race record time of 1:08.17, despite conceding weight to older elite sprinting mare Babylon Berlin.
“Even though they were Group 3s on paper both of those performances were top class. He beat Imperatriz fair and square in the Almanzor Trophy. She went on to win her next three starts, including her first two Group 1s, and never looked back from there," said Calder.
A trip to Australia was again on the radar for the glamour colt, but even the best laid plans can go awry.
“The Group 1 races in New Zealand are at 1400 metres and beyond from January onwards so focus shifted to Queensland. He was beaten narrowly in the Gold Coast Guineas (G3) on an unsuitable heavy track as a lead up to his target race the Group I Kingsford Smith Stakes, but got a virus and missed that race which was a real shame,” Calder added.
Sword of State was subsequently retired to iconic NZ nursery Cambridge Stud and has been given great support by Kiwi and Australian breeders.
By champion sire Snitzel from a Group II placed daughter of another champion sire Encosta de Lago with his Group II winning grand-dam Sharp by Golden Slipper winner Danzero, Sword of State is the quintessential Australian 2YO type and raced true to his pedigree.
The very qualities that attracted David Ellis to Sword of State at the Gold Coast back in 2020 are being reproduced in his offspring and with eight yearlings to be offered at Magic Millions 2025, Cambridge Stud are confident they will receive a warm reception from buyers.
The following Sword of State yearlings are on offer at Magic Millions including three consigned by Cambridge Stud:
Lot 98 Filly Sword of State x Windermere – Little Avondale Stud
First foal of stakes-placed All Too Hard mare Windermere from a European family bristling with Group I winners Brian Boru, Workforce, Best Solution, Loving Dream and El Bodegon.
Lot 142 Colt Sword of State x Alloro (NZ) – Wentwood Grange
Second foal of a half-sister by Tavistock to Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes winner Sacred Elixir and traces in tail female line to the great champion mare Horlicks with the family producing Group I winners such as Brew, Fiumicino and Mr Quickie.
Lot 358 Colt Sword of State x Empress Cixi (GB) – Cambridge Stud
Half-brother to Group III placed Manchu and two more winners from blueblood import Empress Cixi (GB), a half-sister by Shamardal to Group II winner Ocovango with third dam Crystal Music, winner of the Group I Ascot Fillies Mile.
Lot 615 Colt Sword of State x Luckily (NZ) – Newhaven Park
First foal of unraced half-sister by Kermadec to stakes-winner Kolonel Kev from a Black Type US female family featuring Group I winner Love Lock.
Lot 623 Colt Sword of State x Luxe (NZ) – Silverdale Farm
Third foal of stakes-placed O’Reilly mare Luxe, a full sister to the dam of Group I winner Belclare, also a winner of the $2million ATC The Invitation. From the family of Group I VRC Oaks winner Kirramosa.
Lot 687 Filly Sword of State x More Jools – Cambridge Stud
Fourth foal a placed half-sister by More Than Ready (USA) to Group winners Ninth Legion, Tsaritsa, McHale and Group placed Sing a Love Song. From the family of Group I NZ 2000 Guineas winner Tell a Tale and bred on similar Snitzel x More Than Ready cross to Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.
Lot 716 Colt Sword of State x Needle and Thread – Kia Ora Stud
First foal of Group II winning Makfi (GB) mare Needle and Thread, a full sister to stakes-winner Savile Row from European female family of Group I winner The Ghurka.
Lot 768 Colt Sword of State x Pazienza – Cambridge Stud
First foal of a winning half-sister by Written Tycoon to Group III placed Folk Dress from the international female family of current season Australian Group I winner Buckaroo (IRE). Snitzel and Written Tycoon combine in the pedigrees of current Group I winners Private Life, Captured by Love and Velocious.
