Photo: Supplied
Group One-winning stallion Press Statement will stand at Novara Park, near Cambridge, this coming breeding season.
Trained by Chris Waller, Press Statement was undefeated as a two-year-old, winning all three of his juvenile starts, including the Gr.1 J.J. Atkins Stakes (1600m).
Press Statement returned after a brief break in the spring to win the Gr.2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill before stamping his authority over Australia’s best three year-olds in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
His autumn campaign began with victory in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) before he finished second in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and third in the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) behind Winx and Kermadec before retiring to Vinery Stud in 2016.
Press Statement is by Hinchinbrook and his dam Kaaptive Empress, a nine-times winning daughter of Kaapstad, has produced seven winners, including Group One winning juvenile Pressday, in addition to Press Statement.
At stud, Press Statement has already sired 115 individual winners for more than $12 million in earnings, including six stakes winners and five stakes performers.
Press Statement has an outstanding record with his progeny in New Zealand, with 80 percent winners and 20 percent stakes winners-to-runners, headed by Listed Levin Stakes (1200m) winner Hold The Press.
In Australia, the Chris Waller-trained Press Statement mare Roots won the Gr.2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) last start and looks a strong chance in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).
Meanwhile, the Kris Less-trained two-year-old filly Pier Pressure placed in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) behind Militarize.
"Press Statement will give New Zealand breeders an outstanding opportunity,” Novara Park principal Luigi Muollo said.
"As a proven stallion, he will offer breeders value for money. His biggest and best bred crop that number 117 are currently only two-year-olds, so certainly there is upside ahead."
Press Statement will join the Novara Park roster alongside Sweynesse, King Of Comedy and Staphanos who sired last Saturday’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sire’s Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Pignan.
A service fee for Press Statement will be announced in the near future.
