Established by astute horseman Fergal Connolly in May 2018, Hunter Valley based Valiant Stud is a relatively new vendor at our major sales, but has quickly earned a reputation for producing quality yearlings that are well prepared for the next stage of their career.
“We’re on a private farm that had been free of horses until it’s recent development so it’s fresh land that is ideal for raising thoroughbreds," said Fergal Connolly, pointing out this season's glamour colt Exceedance was raised on the farm next door.
“We are north east facing with good elevation that provides natural exercise and the horses do very well here.”
Several Valiant Stud sold horses have made their mark on the track including talented three year-old G Unit, that has had two wins and four placings from eight starts for the John Moore stable in Hong Kong.
“It’s very early days for us in terms of racetrack results, but the really pleasing thing we consistently hear back from our purchasers is that our horses make a smooth transition through the breaking in process and into their stables,” Connolly added.
Click here to see the full Inglis Classic draft of 18 by a variety of sires: Artie Schiller (USA), Astern, Capitalist, Dissident, Divine Prophet, Flying Artie, Hinchinbrook, More Than Ready (USA), Pierro, Press Statement, Rubick, Sizzling, Sebring, Shooting to Win, Smart Missile, Turn Me Loose and Vancouver.
Draft highlights are below:
Lot 25 Colt Turn Me Loose x Bright Abyss (USA), by Royal Academy
Half-brother to smart Hong Kong based galloper Amazing Star, who scored his third successive win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Stakes-placed dam Bright Abyss has had two HK winners from three foals to race and her third is a promising two year-old in New Zealand, Devotioninmotion, that won debut at Ellerslie back in October but lost the race on protest so looms as a potential winner when she returns to the track.
Lot 48 Filly Dissident x Celtic Sea, by Fastnet Rock
Full sister to promising three year-old Celtic Rebel, who won for the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable at Werribee in December and the four year-old from Celtic Sea, La Mer Celtique, is also now a winner for the Mick Kent stable.
Dam now has two foals to race both winners and is a half-sister by champion sire Fastnet rock to Group III winner Tony Nicconi.
Lot 101 Colt Hinchinbrook x Dilemmas, by Lonhro
The last crop of yearlings by Hinchinbrook have been in strong demand this year and this colt should prove very attractive as a half-brother to Group II winner Morton’s Fork, who won the recent Listed ATC Christmas Cup taking his earnings in excess of $846,000.
Bred on the exact same cross as Group II winner Derryn and stakes-placed Brulee.
Lot 117 Colt Sebring x Electric Dreams, by Redoute’s Choice
Full brother to Group III winning juvenile Broadband and half-brother to two other smart metro winners.
From a blue-blooded Redoute’s Choice half-sister to the dam of Champion NZ 2YO Yourdeel from the family of Group I stars Grand Armee, Anamato, Drum and Dealer Principal.
Lot 343 Colt Capitalist x Niagara Falls, by Danehill (USA)
Half-brother to brilliant Group II winner Elite Falls, who also placed in a Group I Golden Slipper and Oakleigh Plate, and Group III placed Crystal Falls and to the dam of Group III winner Charge.
From the first crop of Golden Slipper winner Capitalist from Group III winner Niagara Falls, a daughter of champion sire Danehill.
Lot 506 Filly Astern x Talimena, by Lonhro
Third foal of a winning Lonhro mare that is a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Group I winner and sire Denman, also a half-sister to Group I ATC Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi and Listed Tasmanian Derby winner Cossetot.
From the first crop of Medaglia D’Oro’s Group I winning son Astern and the Medaglia D’Oro x Lonhro cross is a powerful one delivering four SW’s - Group II winner Tenley, Group III winners Shards and Multaja as well as stakes-winner Veranillo.
See the draft at Barn G Stables 34- 36, 42-57.
