Exciting Snitzel colt Sword Of State secured by Cambridge Stud
Group 1-winning colt Sword Of State (Snitzel), arguably New Zealand’s best two-year-old this season, has had his future as a stallion assured after Cambridge Stud struck a deal to take on the exciting juvenile at the end of his racing career.
The Jamie Richards-trained Sword Of State, a last-start winner of the Sistema Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), was being considered as a contender for the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) in Sydney but connections erred on the side of caution.
The Te Akau Racing-owned colt won his first start in December at Te Rapa before overracing in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) on New Year’s Day at Ellerslie to be beaten into third but he bounced back sharply to prove superior at his next three outings, the final two starts at Group level.
“The ease and times of Sword Of State’s wins in New Zealand saw him installed as one of the favourites for the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Royal Randwick,” Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said.
“He was second favourite behind Anamoe when he was unfortunately withdrawn due to the unfavourable soft tracks in Sydney.
“He is the only Group 1 winning colt by Snitzel currently in training and he will be a terrific addition to Cambridge Stud and the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding ranks.”
A $600,000 purchase at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Te Akau principal David Ellis from the Newgate Farm draft, Sword Of State is the first foal out of In The Vanguard (Encosta De Lago), a two-year-old winner who was also placed in the Sweet Embrace Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m).
“Sword Of State is a magnificent colt physically, with a superb temperament. It’s so important to have quality horses like Sword of State for the New Zealand industry, colts that will perform at the highest level on the race track and then stand at stud,” Ellis said.
“I have been committed to this goal for over a decade and we are proud to already have Embellish, who I likewise purchased, standing at Cambridge Stud.
“(Cambridge Stud owners) Brendan and Jo Lindsay have been involved in the ownership of Sword of State from the time I purchased him.
“Their commitment to this industry is massive – they continue to invest and innovate and the industry certainly benefits from their passion.”
Ellis indicated that Sword Of State’s racing career would most likely be in Australia as a three-year-old as connections focus on adding to his record and appeal as a stallion.
He said: “His future racing will see him carry the black and gold colours of Cambridge Stud just like his multiple Group 1 winning stablemate Probabeel.”