On the back of the eagerly anticipated stallion fee announcements in Europe, we spoke with a number of leading industry figures about value. Today we hear from Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm.
TDN: Who have you identified as a first-year stallion at an appealing opening fee?
CB: Pinatubo (Ire) was a top-class 2-year-old and his introductory fee of £35,000 is probably very fair compared to where similar horses have started off over the years. Shamardal is the sire of Lope De Vega (Ire) and he comes from the female family of Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB), so it all looks promising.
TDN: Best value proven stallion, and why?
CB: Showcasing's fee has come down this year to £45,000 which looks very fair as he has proven that he can get top-class horses. To me, Mohaather (GB)'s G1 Sussex S. was the most impressive race I saw all year, and I almost chose him as the first-season stallion I was excited about.
TDN: Who would you consider to be an under the radar stallion?
CB: Starspangledbanner (Aus)'s percentage of winners and stakes performers to runners compares favourably to many other stallions that are double his price or more. His quality of mares has been improving every year as he has done a better job getting them in foal and to me there's a good chance his fee of €22,500 could look like a huge bargain in a few years.
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