Kia Ora swoops on Group 1 contender Prague in deal with Aquis and Phoenix
Dual Group 3-winning colt joins Slipper winner Farnan in Krishnan’s ranks
Kia Ora Stud has made its second high stakes stallion play by acquiring dual Group 3-winning juvenile Prague (Redoute’s Choice) in an outright deal from previous owners Aquis Farm and Phoenix Thoroughbreds just weeks after securing Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) from the same partnership.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Prague, victorious in the Canonbury Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) and Pago Pago Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) and runner-up in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) last season, will race in Kia Ora Stud owner Ananda Krishnan’s colours when he resumes next month.
The Scone-based Kia Ora Stud has suddenly emerged as a major force in the procurement of colts as the operation attempts to establish itself as a stallion farm operating at the top level.
“This is a project that we’ve taken on and we want the right horses. Farnan had his second trial (on Tuesday) and he looks to have come back in very good shape and we’re very excited about his first start (in the Run To The Rose) and it’s the same with Prague,” Kia Ora Stud’s bloodstock and breeding manager Shane Wright told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“Prague has a very nice family behind him, he was a good two-year-old and his three-year-old career is just getting started.
“Being by Redoute’s, who is one of the best sires of sires that Australia has ever seen, and for us being back in the stallion game … it was one of the last chances to get into that line.”
Aquis Farm managing director Shane McGrath also confirmed the sale of $1.6 million Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate Prague to Kia Ora yesterday in what was a commercial arrangement that Tony Fung had to accept.
“At the end of the day, Mr Krishnan and the Fung family go back a long way, so it’s a great fit,” McGrath said.
“We thank the Maher-Eustace and Neasham connection for the job that they have done so far and we wish the new connections every success.”
Prague has had two barrier trials this preparation, the most recent on August 14 when winning an 850-metre Group and Listed heat on the Kensington track under jockey James McDonald.
He is slated to resume in the Run To The Rose (Gr 2, 1400m) in 15 days’ time where he is likely to clash with Farnan, while he also carries entries for the Golden Rose (Gr 1, 1400m), Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) and the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m).
Wright last night indicated that Kia Ora may attempt to avoid taking on its other star colt Farnan with Prague but that would not be finalised until discussions are held with Maher.
He said: “At this stage, the Golden Rose is definitely Farnan’s trajectory, but we will sit down with Ciaron, now that Prague’s under new ownership, in the next day or two and work out what we do with him.
“Farnan had his second trial (on Tuesday) and he looks to have come back in very good shape and we’re very excited about his first start (in the Run To The Rose) and it’s the same with Prague.
“He trialled well, he is going very well at home and we think he could be right up there in the top tier as well.”
A three-quarter brother to Widden Stud’s Group 1-winning sire Stratum Star (Stratum) and a half-brother to the three-time stakes-placed mare Serenade (Star Witness), Prague is one of five winners out of the juvenile-placed mare Purely Spectacular (Pins) who in turn is a sister to the New Zealand stakes winner Raid.
“He’s a very, very good looking horse. He’s nice and athletic, straightforward with lots of quality about him,” Wright said.
“Well and truly, full credit has to go to Phoenix, Shane McGrath and the whole Aquis team for selecting such a stellar group of yearlings from the sales the last few years. It’s the height of quality.”