Leading galloper for Rich Hill Stud
The thoroughbred breeding season is still a month or so from winding down but as always the managers of our major studs are keeping an eye to the future.
In the case of Rich Hill Stud’s John Thompson, his watching brief has involved signing up for another high quality recruit to join his resident quartet of Pentire, Shocking, Jimmy Choux and Proisir on the Walton nursery’s 2017 stallion roster.
Rich Hill has scored a coup in securing the Group One-winning European miler Vadamos, joining Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Stud, Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs and Greg Tomlinson’s Nearco Stud for a 50 per cent interest in the son of champion stallion Monsun.
After winning the Gr. 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over 1600 metres at Chantilly in September, Vadamos competed at the Melbourne spring carnival, finishing fourth after setting the pace in the Cox Plate and filling the same position in the Emirates Stakes on the final day of Melbourne Cup week.
It was announced shortly afterwards that Vadamos had been retired and would commence duties at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland in the New Year.
In the meantime negotiations began with his breeder Andreas Putsch and prominent Australian breeder John Camilleri, who had taken an ownership interest.
‘‘His owners realised that New Zealand with its classic breeding environment was where the horse should stand,’’ John Thompson said.
‘‘They made a quick trip across to Auckland and came down by helicopter to check the farm out and talk over the proposal. In the end it was an easy decision for them to make.
‘‘John and Andreas intend supporting Vadamos with mares of their own and the arrangement, which also includes offering a limited number of shares to other breeders, will secure his place at Rich Hill.’’
Monsun is best known in this part of the world as the sire of three of the past four Melbourne Cup winners – Fiorente, Protectionist and this year Almandin.
‘‘To get this son of Monsun is unbelievable.
‘‘He’s from one of the Aga Khan’s great families and he’s one of the best bred Group One winners going to stud anywhere in the world.’’
Vadamos started 20 times for leading French trainer Andre Fabre, winning eight races and stakes in excess of $1 million.
As well as the Prix Moulin, he also won three times at Group Two level in France and Germany – all at 1600 metres – and was also a Listed winner up to 2400 metres and finished second in the Gr. 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.
Meanwhile, Rich Hill’s very own Melbourne Cup winner Shocking claimed another big result on the weekend when his son Chocante won the $100,000 Counties Cup at Pukekohe.
Lining up in the first staying feature on the northern summer circuit as the lowest rated runner, Chocante did it tough three-wide in the running yet was still able to keep finding and win by more than a length.
It was an extraordinary performance by the still untapped four-year-old, who was having just his 10th career start and joined New Zealand Oaks winner Fanatic and Group Two winner The Hassler as a major first-crop winner for Shocking.