Mapperley Stud has announced Champion son of Galileo – Armory will stand for a fee of $10,000+gst this season. Armory will be standing his 4th season at stud in 2025 and has been heavily supported by New Zealand breeders since his arrival covering 350 mares across his first 3 seasons.
“Breeders were attracted to his elite Gr.1 form as a 2 year-old, where he won the Gr.2 Futurity Stakes and Gr.3 Tyros Stakes before placing in 3 Gr.1 contests including a 2nd to Champion 2 year-old Pinatubo.”
“Breeders also like to see horses train on and that’s exactly what he did – his run in the Cox Plate as a 3 year-old was enormous and proved he was among the elite middle distance horses in Australasia. He continued to prove himself at the highest level against the best weight-for-age horses in the world."
On the back of his gallant 2nd in the Cox Plate, Armory was crowned Champion 3 year-old in Ireland and Europe and achieved a timeform rating of 122 in his classic season. His performances at Gr.1 level as a 4 year-old earnt him the Champion Older Horse in Ireland title and another season with a timeform rating of 122.
“We have been thrilled with the level of support shown by New Zealand Breeders, he’s got great numbers on the ground and it was really encouraging to see that his first crop have found good homes and he will have a good representation in both New Zealand and Australia” added Davison
“There is a fantastic opportunity to breed to him this year, with a big crop of 2 year-olds to run next season, he could be on the upward spiral by the time your foal arrives next year.”
Profondo, who stands at Windsor Park Stud, also bolsters Mapperley Stud’s stallion ranks with the Group One winning son of Deep Impact covering full books in his first 2 seasons at stud
“Profondo was an instant hit with breeders and his popularity continued into his 2nd season where he covered another fantastic book of mares,” Davison said.
“We absolutely love his foals and you can see why breeders were eager to breed to him again last season, and we very much expect the same to happen again this year”
Profondo was a standout individual from the start topping the Magic Million yearling sale when he sold for $1.9 million. A brilliant debut winner over 1400m, he reached racing’s elite level winning the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes at only his 3rd career start.
“We are very excited about his future, he has it all ahead of him. He’s the full package – outstanding physical, by the world conquering Deep Impact and an elite Gr.1 win next to his name.”