Skyhook Stud Deal Could Be Done Before the Slipper

Craig Tompson - Monday March 17

Skyhook’s managing owner, Matthew Ennis has revealed a stud deal could be done on the highly rated Golden Slipper contender before Saturday’s race when joining as our guest on the Tara Talks Racing podcast this week.

Skyhook. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au

Joining the podcast after seeing his colt on Monday morning at the stables, Ennis, owner of the G1 Goldmine and Stallion Match businesses, told the story of his high rating for Skyhook as a yearling but opting out with the $575,000 sale price too high.

Afterwards however he liked what he saw enough on a visit to Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s stable that he took the majority share in the Written Tycoon colt.

A week out from the Slipper, with Skyhook brilliantly winning the Pago Pago Stakes and sitting on the third line of betting, it’s looking a lucrative buy, with all stud approaches being taken seriously.

When asked “Are the owners fielding much interest?”

Ennis confirmed “There are.”

“So I've spoken to most of them.

“Gerald and Sterling have spoken to the rest and yeah, certainly, if the offer was right, I think there's a deal to be done.

“This is the first time I'm putting myself out there and saying that. We haven't really announced anything like that as such.

“The thing is, a lot of the owners in our group are fairly wealthy individuals. Some have never raced a horse before.

“They just want to see the horse race and they want to see the horse run well.

“They're not breeders. They're racers.

“So I think, yeah, there's something to be done definitely.

“But it'd have to be the right deal.”

“I don't think it's something that needs to be overcomplicated.

“His upside is fairly straightforward. What he brings to the table is fairly straightforward. I think the conditions of the race put him in the best possible position to make him gettable and more importantly, he's winnable.

“So I think he's got a really good chance.

“And I wasn't sure until I saw him this morning.”

With the likes of Wodeton (Coolmore), Devil Night (Yulong) and North England (Newgate) already secured for stud futures, Skyhook and Rivellino are the obvious targets for a pre-race strike.

The all-important barrier draw will be held on Tuesday where Ennis will be parked in the hot seat, drawing the marble and hoping for somewhere between “one and six”.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Visit the profile page for Written Tycoon

Written Tycoon in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 MVRC Cox Plate
An emotional week in Australasian racing approaches its crescendo as we count down to the final Cox Plate before a radical new era in its history begins and we mourn the passing of one of its greatest champions.
$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.
$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.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
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.
Skyhook Asserts Authority In Rosebud Victory
Arguably one of the leading 2yo colts last season with victory in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, Written Tycoon’s Skyhook resumed with a significant weight impost to win the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Skyhook into Golden Slipper
Talented Written Tycoon colt Skyhook has been a big watch horse at Breednet since he won his first barrier trial at Rosehill on February 3 and has now earned a shot at the Golden Slipper with a bold front running win in the $250,000 Group III ATC Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.