MORE INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM FOR SWETTENHAM STALLIONS

Sales results from the Goffs Orby Sale in Britain last week has reinforced Adam Sangster’s strong belief and excitement that his Swettenham Stud at Nagambie is offering the right stallions to breeders

Puissance de Lune, a son of Shamardal, and Highland Reel, a son of Galileo, are two of Swettenham Stud’s most sought after stallions this season.

A Highland Reel yearling colt sold for 320kgns (over $600,000AUD) from Jake Warren to World renowned judge Jamie McCalmont, setting a record for the 7 x Group 1 winner.

Highland Reel (IRE) x Beach Frolic (GB) colt

The big money came on the second day of the sale when the first foal, a filly, out of Puissance de Lune’s full sister – Princess De Lune – was the sale topper at 450,000 pounds (AUD$816,200).

Redvers was also keen to buy the filly, by Oasis Dream (GB), which was the only yearling offered by Round Hill Stud, also the breeders of Puissance de Lune.

The filly was looked upon as a future broodmare prospect for the Shadwell operation and was knocked down to Angus Gold.

“Sheikh Hamdan said to concentrate on finding some fillies,” Gold told reporters. We had a go on the Green Room filly yesterday, but I loved this filly. She is out of a Shamardal mare who had plenty of ability and she is from a tough-running family.”

Oasis Dream (GB) x Princess De Lune (IRE) filly

Sangster said he was delighted that the progeny of the shuttle stallion Highland Reel and the close relation of the multiple Group winning Puissance de Lune were highly sought after at last week’s sale.

“Angus Gold, the long-time racing manager of Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell’s global operation, has always recognised Shamardal but especially Puissance de Lune and he is sending mares to him this year at Swettenham,” Sangster said

“They have obviously had a lot of success with Shamardal and this is a pedigree that is absolutely dripping with black type and keeps on upgrading every season. It is a very close up and a very current pedigree and he is always been an advocate of Shamardal and especially Puissance de Lune.

“The fact that David Revers and Sheikh Fahad, of Melbourne Cup winning Dunaden fam, had short listed this Highland Reel colt just shows you we have had some very strong indication on how well put together and how athletic the yearlings are looking from Highland Reel.

“With Galileo there are many well performed sons of his in the northern hemisphere and Highland Reel might get lost among a few of those sons but it looks like he is certainly got the market interest.

“And I believe leading bloodstock agent Stuart Bowman has got a yearling by Highland Reel in book one (Tattersalls Newmarket) which was consigned by the breeder of Make Believe and they said it’s the best colt they’ve breed on their property.”

Sangster said Highland Reel was proving to be extremely popular in Australia with his pedigree, his race record, his physical appearance and price at stud.

He said the recognition of Shamardal and Puissance de Lune in the northern hemisphere gives him enormous satisfaction that Swettenham Stud was hopefully on the right path.