Niconoise, Victoria's Best Kept Secret

Media Release - Wednesday July 11

Based on recent trends of winners in Melbourne, Niconoise may be the Victorian stallion roster's best-kept secret.

You would have to be on another planet not to know about the performances of uber-talented Nicconi gelding Nature Strip.

And then have been quality metro wins in the past fortnight by Nicconi progeny including 2YO Tony Nicconi (at Flemington) and 3YO Legale (at Sandown). You can also add Sydney winner Nicci's Gold to recent Nicconi winners.

NiconoisePonderosa Park sire Niconoise, a son of Redoute's Choice, offers all of the sire's pedigee and speed, but without the cost!

Niconoise is the half-brother of Widden Stud's successful dual Group 1 winning sire Nicconi (Bianconi) as well as the three-quarter brother of multiple Group 1 winning Niconero (Danzero). They are all out of the Devitt and Gordon families' star broodmare Nicola Lass.

Paul and Sue Kelly of the Nathalia based Ponderosa Park said now was a great opportunity to access the blue-blooded pedigree of Niconoise.

"Mare owners shouldn't miss out on breeding to a stallion from a proven blue hen mare, by a champion stallion and whose half-brother is currently flying in the breeding barn with Nicconi," Paul Kelly said.

"This is a brilliant chance for Victorian breeders to tap into this exciting stallion prospect and elite female pedigree for a fraction of the price Nicconi is demanding in the Hunter Valley."

Niconoise won four city races from 1100 metres to 1800 metres and currently holds the Flemington 1700 metre track record. He ran in the Australian Cup the race after breaking this track record, however he suffered a serious leg injury and was subsequently retired.

Kelly also pointed out the similarity of Niconoise to Nature Strip in type.

"If you see them both in the flesh and in photos they are such similar types, which indicates the strong influence the female line has. That's what we need to showcase, as that's where the talent and ability is coming from. She (Nicola's Lass) has been an incredible producer and will shape the breed in the future," Paul said.

Advertisement

"Then on top of all this, his sire Redoute's Choice is a Champion stallion and sire of sires, including current champion Snitzel, giving Niconoise a more commercial pedigree based on current stallion trends.

"He was an incredible talent, and it's such a shame we didn't see the best of him on the track. His track record that still stands proves just what a class galloper he was."

Niconoise is nominated to VOBIS Sires for the 2018 breeding season giving his progeny the chance to race for more than $24 million in VOBIS benefits on offer every year.

Niconoise will send for exceptional value this breeding season at $3,300 (GST incl)

"We are willing to do discounts for multiple and winning mares, and as we want to make breeding to Niconoise affordable with no nasty surprises. We are also offering a package deal for $5000 that includes three months agistment, standard reproductive scanning and horse maintenance (farrier and worming)," Paul said.

Paul and Sue have been breeding thoroughbreds for over 12 years and have a strong background in camp drafting…Paul is also a local farrier.

"We started off pin-hooking and just got bigger and bigger; we now have around 50 or 60 mares currently on the farm. One thing we learnt about thoroughbreds is that you need to work out the game very quickly or you go out the back door," Paul said.

Contact Paul or Sue Kelly at Ponderosa Park on 0427 761 016 to book in your mare or for more information visitwww.ponderosapark.com.au

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Southern Hemisphere foals for Paddington
A four-time Group I winner by champion French sire Siyouni, European superstar, PADDINGTON, has had his first Southern Hemisphere foals arrive on the ground at Windsor Park.
Spring Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
There was an interesting set of trials at Hawkesbury on Monday that featured heat winners including Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker as well as the Waterhouse Bott stable Cups contenders Sir Delius (GB) and Vauban (FR), plus we may have seen an Everest horse.
First Stakes Success For Cafe Millenium
While having just turned 5, former Sydneysider Cafe Millenium (Not A Single Doubt), who now calls Lindsay Park home, broke through for his first black type victory on Saturday, winning the Listed SAJC Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville in impressive fashion.
Narrow Miss for Hellbent Gelding in G2 Foxbridge
Lhasa proved he is more than a synthetic track specialist when he nearly caused an upset when finishing runner-up in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.
Idyllic Prince Stakes - Phanta Leads a Sweet Trifecta for Gingerbread Man
Yarradale Stud's senior stallion Gingerbread Man achieved a rare career high for any sire when the son of Shamardal provided the trifecta in Saturday's Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes over 1300m at Belmont Park.
Merchant Navy 3YO Primed for Spring Stakes Campaign
Cody Cole is happy to play a waiting game with Landlock before confirming the three-year-old’s main goals for the season.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 24
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Winner for Blue-Blood Sire Niconoise
Ponderosa Park blue-blooded stallion Niconoise has got the first winner of his stud career.
Top Filly Beats Top Colt in G1 Prix Morny
The Group I Prix Morny (1200m) at Deauville overnight produced a mightly clash between unbeaten Starspangled banner colt Gstaad and unbeaten filly Venetian Sun with the filly prevailing, although Starspangledbanner got some consolation with a new G3 winning 2YO at Goodwood.
Inglis Ready2Race Sale Now Online
The strongest collection of sire power ever assembled for an Australian 2YO Sale will be offered at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale, for which the catalogue is now available online.