Xtravagant to stand for a reduced fee with first two-year-olds near
Leading thoroughbred nursery Newhaven Park yesterday announced a reduced fee for resident stallion Xtravagant (Pentire), who will stand at $11,000 (inc GST) for the upcoming breeding season.
Xtravagant’s first two-year-olds will step out later this year, with the stallion entering his fourth season at stud.
His yearlings attracted plenty of attention and interest at this year’s sales, with his highest-priced yearling – a filly out of city winner Herstory (Commands) – going for $270,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, more than 16 times his service fee of $16,500 (inc GST) the last three seasons.
At the Gold Coast, his yearlings averaged $152,000, while they averaged $67,200 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Xtravagant’s progeny were purchased by leading bloodstock agents and trainers like David Ellis, Ciaron Maher, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, McEvoy Mitchell Racing, John Foote, Gerald Ryan, Ric Wylie and Mark Richards, Richard Laming and Matt Laurie, among others.
Newhaven Park principal John Kelly believes that the 30 per cent reduction in fee is reflective of the uncertain economic times and allows breeders to breed to a multiple Group 1 winner at a fee where there is scope to make a profit.
“We have been thrilled by the way the market has embraced Xtravagant,” Kelly said. “His progeny are athletic, forward moving horses and he has had strong support from a loyal group of breeders.”
Xtravagant was the outstanding sprinter/miler of his generation in New Zealand with his eight and a half length win in record time in the New Zealand 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), as well as his victory by a similar margin against the older horses in the Waikato Sprint (Gr 1, 1400m), capping a strong three-year-old season in 2015/16.
Crowned New Zealand’s Champion 3YO Colt with the highest rating for a three-year-old since the phenomenal Bonecrusher (Pag Asa) in 1985/86, he was described by racing owner David Ellis as a “wonderful example of equine excellence”.
“He was rated one of the nicest colts ever produced for sale by Rich Hill Stud,” Ellis told Magic Millions earlier this year.
“Along with a lot of very good judges, I’ve been overwhelmed with the quality of his first crop progeny and, with our firsthand knowledge of him, it’s fantastic being able to buy some of his progeny to bring home.
“Xtravagant is from an outstanding family, showed immense ability on the race track, and given what I’ve seen of his yearlings, I’m predicting that he’ll be a hugely successful sire.”
Completely free of Danzig blood, Xtravagant is a product of the very best of New Zealand breeding. He is by champion sire Pentire (Be My Guest), who produced 16 Group 1 winners – from sprinter/milers such as $2.2 million earner Rangirangdoo through to quality stayers including Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Prince of Penzance. He also produced two NZ Horses of the Year in Xcellent and (King) Mufhasa.
For more information on making a booking or for more information, please contact John Kelly on 0412 654 620 or email newhavenpark@bigpond.com.