Swettenham Stud

It was this near three-quarter brother to five times Group1 winning veteran Danzero gelding Niconero first crack against older sprinters and his fourth win and eighth prize cheque in eight career outings. In order, he has followed up a three lengths win at Sandown at his only appearance at two with a third in the VRC Danehill Stakes-Gr.3, wins at Moonee Valley (1.25 lengths) and in the Caulfield Manfred Stakes-LR (1400m, by a length), a second in the Caulfield Autumn Stakes-Gr.2 (a head), fourth at Flemington in the Australian Guineas-Gr.1, third at Rosehill Gardens in the Darby Munro Stakes-LR (beaten a head) and then the win in The Galaxy.

Although Nicconi may be more brilliant, he may emulate in the future Niconero, a winner of three Group1s in the current racing year, the VRC Australian Cup (2000m), WATC Kingston Town Classic (1800m) and MRC Futurity Stakes (1400m), and also Above Deck, a Bianconi winner of the Doomben Cup (2200m), and successfully run out at least 1600m in top company.

He is one of four stakes performers in the first four foals from the tough Scenic sprinter Nicola Lass, a winner of seven races in Melbourne and second in the Group 3 MRC Tristarc Stakes. Besides Nicconi and Niconero, earner to date of over $3.4million, she has produced the fillies Recooperate (by General Nediym; Adelaide sprint winner and a debut second in the MRC Debutante Stakes) and Holly Go Lightly (by Desert King; second in the SAJC Hill Smith Stakes).

Now breeding for Arrowfield, Holly Go Lightly produced her first foal last August, a Charge Forward filly, and carries a September 2 service to Hussonet, while Recooperate is due to deliver a Fastnet Rock foal in September from her first season at stud.

Producer of a filly by Stratum in 2007, a colt by Redoute's Choice last season and served by Hussonet last season, the dam Nicola Lass was bred on the Hayes family's Lindsay Park Stud at Angaston in South Australia for P.B. Devitt, L. Gordon and Meadowvale Pastoral Company. Along with trainer David Hayes, Devitt and Gordon have been in the ownership of all the four runners from this mare.

The Hayes family have also had association with Nicconi's sire Bianconi, sharing ownership of the Collingrove Stud, now Swettenham, with the late Robert Sangster when this son of Danzig was imported from Coolmore in Ireland.

Now a full time resident at Swettenham, a stud now owned by Adam Sangster, but initially a shuttle sire, the14-years-old Bianconi has supplied to date from his Australian use155 winners of 385 races (15 stakes), 60 other placegetters and earners of $9.6million. Besides Above Deck (10 wins, $934,450) and Nicconi (four wins, $494,865), the Australian sired progeny have included Mr Martini ($300,750, won MVRC Bill Stutt Stakes-Gr.2, STC Kingston Town Stakes-Gr.3; second MVRC Moonee Valley Vase-Gr.2), Schilling ($382,670, Sandown Guineas-Gr.2; second VRC Carbine Club Stakes-Gr.3, VRC The Debonair-Gr.3, third MVRC Alister Clark Stakes-Gr.2), Classiconi ($387,850, Listed winner Caulfield, Flemington, second MRC H.D.F. McNeil Stakes-Gr.3, SAJC National Stakes-Gr.3) and Taken at the Flood ($350,427, nine wins included two Listed races, the W.J. McKell Cup and Christmas Cup).

Bianconi's progeny record suggests he was very good value at his 2008 service fee of $11,000. He is an impressive looking near black 16.2 hands son of not only one of the world's greatest modern sires, but also wonder broodmare Fall Aspen, dam of nine stakes winners.