New Farms Lead the Way in 2yo Races

The old adage used to be that to win the big races you ideally needed to be up and running by Christmas.

And so it was that stud farms wanted to have early 2 year old runners up and running by that time.

So it is timely that the great folk at Thoroughbred Daily News (Richard Edmunds)took the time to pause amongst the daily grind of racing to see just who is leading the charge amongst the babies as the 2yo season starts to heat up leading into the Magic Millions en route to the Inglis Millenium, Blue Diamond and of course, the Golden Slipper.

In somewhat a charging of the guard, it is some of the newer farms on the block that are out in front.

In number one spot for the freshman sires is Aquis farm stallion, The Mission (pictured), who's 9 runners so far have earned approximately $290,000 in prizemoney.

This year, the Queensland based stallion is standing for a modest $8,800.

His yearlings sold for a modest $27,000. It is fair to say that his progeny are so far out performing market expectations!

In second spot is fellow Queensland based stallion Heroic Valour, a former Kiwi group 1 galloper from Raheen stud.

Standing for a small fee of just $7,700, his six starters have earnt $230,000. He did return higher than expected for his breeders with a return of an average price of $50,000 for each yearling.

In third place is Newgate farms outstanding looking stallion, Russian Revolution who is so far looking like living up to his ambitious stallion fee of $44,000. He has had 3 winners from 6 runners for $134,000 but has an army of future runners trialling like dynamite at the moment.

At the sales, he sold at an impressive $110,000 a piece.

Fourth place goes to a stallion who we think is going places, even if we are a little biased. Overshare. He is one winner from one runner with Lady Laguna, but chalk her down for two metropolitan wins to put her in Golden Slipper contention. He stood for $11,000 and sold at an average $29,000 but with performances like that, he is going places.

So that's the freshmen. But who is leading the way for 2yo's this year for all comers? Here is the current top 5:

1. Sebring- 7 runners, 1 winner $746,200- Deceased

2. Shalaa- 10 runners, 2 winners $515,145- Arrowfield Stud- $44,000 service fee

3. Exceed and Excel- 8 runners, 2 winners $405,065- Darley $132,000 service fee

4. Spirit of Boom- 12 runners, 4 winners $358,725- Eureka $33,000 service fee

5. Demerit- 3 runners, 2 winners $355,950- Deceased

Analysis:

Unfortunately Sebring and Demerit are no longer with us and Exceed and Excel is well out of most people's price range. That is why it is great to access his blood through broodmares like we have done with our very own Doublesharkattack.

Shalaa and Spirit of Boom are still decently priced stallions but both are great performers on the track and in the sales ring. On average, Shalaa returns to breeders 3.86 times the service fees, while Spirit of Boom returns 3.93, representing great investment opportunities. As we know, both can provide top line sprinters. They are certainly both stallions that the Bred For Success would have no qualms in investing into!