The
proven sire, a brilliant speed source, is perhaps most famously known as the
sire of the triple Group 1 winner (and five-time runner up) Hay List.Originally shuttling from Japan's East Stud on behalf of Syndicate Manager Mr Nakajima to the former Eliza Park, he was a real boost at the time for the Victorian thoroughbred industry.
He stood in Australia for 12 seasons from 2004, albeit with breeding duties at Eliza Park interrupted in 2007 due to travel restrictions brought about by the Equine Influenza crisis.
His first two crops made every post a winner. They included 2009 Magic Millions 3YO Trophy winner Tempest Tost, Group winner Dan Baroness, juvenile stakes winner Elysees, multiple Group winning sprinter Mic Mac and the aforementioned champion sprinter Hay List.
Statue of Liberty was among the top five leading first season sires in Australia in 2008/2009 and was leading such sire in Victoria that racing season.
Mark Lindsay, Senior Sales and Nominations Manager at Sun Stud recalls how thrilled they were to get a stallion of his calibre.
"He was versatile too with Group winners from 1000 metres to 2400 metres and, quite remarkably, ended up with winners in twenty different countries!"
"Despite ending up with a Perth Cup winner like Star Exhibit, he was best known for his sprinters such as Mic Mac and, of course, Hay List who would have ended up with a whole lot more Group Ones except for running into Black Caviar on several occasions."
"He has certainly made a lot of breeders and owners happy over the years and he is also making his presence felt as a broodmare sire, so I'd imagine you'll still be hearing about Statue of Liberty for some time to come."
A son of the legendary Storm Cat, he provided a tremendous outcross for Danehill mares for breeders around the country.
"He has one of the best pedigrees in the Australian Stud Book being out of the Seattle Slew mare Charming Lassie, and a half-brother to the four-time Group One winner Lemon Drop Kid," Lindsay said.
"Charming Lassie is a half-sister to multiple Group winner Weekend Surprise (USA), the dam of Group 1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner and successful sire, A.P. Indy and the Preakness Stakes winner Summer Squall."
In all, Statue of Liberty produced 730 live foals in Australia. His last crop in Victoria included 35 live foals (now yearlings) while in his one (and final) year stint at the former Sun Stud property in Queensland her served 32 mares with those subsequent foals now dropping.
Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria wishes Statue of Liberty all the best in his retirement…no doubt he will be watching the races as he progeny continue to win across Australia in future years.
News from Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria.
