SF Bloodstock has been prominent at the top of the racing and breeding games in the U.S. as well as Europe and Australia, and the organization's Tom Ryan revealed to TDN that SF will heavily support European stallions Almanzor (Fr) and Lope de Vega (Ire), in which they are shareholders, in 2019.
Almanzor, the European champion 3-year-old of 2016 and winner of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 British Champions S., stands his second season at Haras d'Etreham this year for €35,000. The horse returned last month from a shuttle trip to Cambridge Stud in New Zealand.
“We have some new mares for Almanzor in 2019,” said Ryan. “We have two well-bred maidens by War Front and Redoute's Choice, as well as French stakes winner and Group 1-placed Danza Cavallo (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}), stakes winner Nicky's Brown Miss (Big Brown) and graded stakes producer Biswa (Kafwain).
“Speaking with [Haras d'Etreham's] Nicolas de Chambure, the demand is strong and should continue to grow as his first foals hit the ground. In speaking with Henry Plumptre from Cambridge Stud last week, it was very pleasing to hear how well he was supported in New Zealand during his first trip south. It's a testament to his physical and race record.”
While plenty of anticipation remains about what Almanzor's stud career will blossom into, no such speculation is required for Lope de Vega. The Ballylinch Stud resident's profile continues to grow, and last year he provided the likes of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Newspaperofrecord (Ire), G3 Acomb S. scorer Phoenix of Spain (Ire), G3 Prestige S. winner Antonia de Vega (Ire) and Australian Group 1 winners Santa Ana Lane (Aus) and Vega Magic (Aus). He stands for €80,000 in 2019.
“Lope De Vega stepped into a new stratosphere in 2018,” said Ryan. “Newspaperofrecord's dominating performance in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf was just further confirmation that he's the complete package.
“We will send Celestial Woods (Forestry), herself the dam of two millionaires including Bobby's Kitten. Her Kitten's Joy 2-year-old sold last October as a yearling for 700,000gns at Tattersalls.
“Black Dahlia will visit Lope de Vega again; she's the dam of G2 Vintage S. winner Dark Vision (Ire) and a stunning €900,000 Lope de Vega 2-year-old sold last August at Arqana. Amongst others we will send Eversmile (Theatrical {Ire}), the dam of Grade I winners Coil (Point Given) and Chiropractor (Kitten's Joy); Glittering Tax (Artax), the dam of Grade I winner Miss Temple City (Temple City), along with Shelbysmile (Smart Strike), a stakes-winning Smart Strike mare currently in foal to Medaglia d'Oro. Rounding out the group will be Star Of Bristol, a Speightstown half-sister to Mastercraftsman (Ire). Several of these mares are currently in foal to Almanzor, so we have plenty to look forward to.”
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