Top stallion leaves state

OUTSTANDING stallion Needs Further, the sire of champion Tasmanian filly Mystic Journey, has left the state.

Armidale Stud made the announcement yesterday that Needs Further (Encosta de Lago-Crowned Glory by Danehill) is to join the Aquis Farm stallion roster at Seymour in Victoria this season.

Needs Further burst into the limelight through the deeds of his daughter Mystic Journey when she won the VRC Guineas as a three-yearold and two weeks later won the inaugural $5 million All Star Mile against a class field.

In his first three crops Needs Further sired the Tasmanian Two-Year-Old of the Year, and last season his talented three-year-old filly Deroche won four of her six starts including the $150,000 Group 3 Vamos Stakes in Launceston. Deroche also won the 3YO Magic Millions Classic after an unlucky second in the Bow Mistress at Elwick.

Mystical Pursuit won the 3YO 1000 Guineas over 1600m this season after winning the two major Listed juvenile races in her first season.

Armidale Stud manager, David Whishaw, considers the move will have a huge upside for the stallion.

“Needs Further has been attracting an increasing number of mares from interstate, and he has achieved outstanding results from limited books of mares here in Tasmania,” Whishaw said. “The opportunity for him to be based in Victoria will give him the chance to take his stud career to the next level.”

Aquis Farm chief executive Tony Williams is excited to have Needs Further on the roster. “Versatility is everything in a successful sire and Needs Further certainly possesses this quality,” Williams said.

The stallion is a great loss to the state but Armidale will now be depending on its latest acquisition Alpine Eagle to take over the mantle of Tasmania’s leading sire.

Alpine Eagle’s first crop are rising and Armidale will be waiting with bated breath to see what his progeny do when they hit the track.