After inspiring a big book of mares last year, Rosemont Stud have announced that its hugely popular strategy to punt on a free service to ever-popular proven outcross stallion STARCRAFT is on again in season 2018.
"The Toss The Boss deal was a big winner last year and there
has been no slowing down for Starcraft in the sales ring and on the track, so
we thought 'why not go again'," Rosemont's Anthony Mithen said.
In a first for the industry, Rosemont allowed mare owners to elect whether they wanted a colt or filly by Starcraft. If they didn't get what they wanted, there was no service fee charged.
"He was reasonably priced at $8800 anyway, so no real wonder the deal was popular. It really was a risk to nothing. If you get what you want you pay only $8800, if you don't get what you want it's for free - I don't think we can be fairer than that," Mithen said.
And it's not as if the Starcraft stock are on the wane. He had another splendid 12 months with his yearlings selling for up to $340,000 and averaging $115,000 across commercial sales in 2018.
In Hong Kong his stocks
continue to climb – he had another Top 5 finish on the Sires Premiership last
year and just two weeks ago notched yet another feature win when Winner's Way
scooted clear under Zac Purton to claim the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap over
1200m.
"Some top name breeders are seeing a great opportunity with Starcraft which is pleasing and rewards our decision to buy him and stand him permanently in Victoria from now on. He covered over 100 mares in 2017 for the first time in six years including some real blue hens like Leone Chiara who is of course the mother of his champion 2yo and super stallion in Star Witness," he said.
Mithen added that with the introduction of the $1 million Showdown race from next year which is eligible for runners which are sired by a Victorian stallion only, the timing was perfect for breeders to get on board.
"We know he can produce 2yos like Star Witness and Property, he can get a terrific sales horse, he can get a trade horse for Asia that sells for piles and provides an outcross stallion. I'd be certain every breeder has a mare that would suit Starcraft on this deal."
Limited spots will be available on the "Toss The Boss" deal to manage the stallion's book size and Mithen encouraged breeders to get in early.
As well as Starcraft, Rosemont will stand 3rdseason stallion Nostradamus. The multiple Group winning son of Medaglia D'Oro
is coincidently a half-brother to Star Witness and has received strong support
in his first two seasons.
"He covered 110 mares his first season and 90 his second, so he gets a great chance to get the job done. His foals are particularly impressive. I had Magic Millions Tim Brown ring last week having visited a number of farms inspecting weanlings and he could not have been more impressed. They are very keen to take them for Millions sales which is very encouraging," Mithen said.
He will also stand for $8800 and with strong shareholder support should prove to be very popular once again.
Toorak Toff rounds out Rosemont's stallion roster and has
had a very exciting month on the track, headlined by Darren Weir's latest star
Iconoclasm who recently won his third consecutive race at Flemington and is
being set for Group 1 assignments in the Spring. He has also had recent city
winner for Gai Waterhouse Duality, emerging fillies such as Miss Lillian and
Miss Toorak Flyer and dual Hong Kong winner Speedy King.
In the last month he has had 15 wins and it seems his progeny look like they want to train on and be tough racehorses. He is standing at a private fee as Mithen explains.
"We want to tailor make deals for breeders with Toorak Toff. The phones should be ringing strongly for him this season with plenty of winners now coming as they mature and develop. We will be giving the breed-to-race crew a chance to breed to a proven winner-getter for not much money. We love them. It seems every one we race wins races. He's proving to be a beauty," Mithen said.
For more information on Rosemont's stallions please call the office on 03 52206501 or Ted on 0429 933 955.
