An esteemed English breeding operation has come knocking on Waikato Stud’s door and the Matamata nursery has been honoured to answer the call with a positive response.
News that the farm’s exciting new stallion Tivaci has been sought out for Northern Hemisphere shuttle duties at the iconic English National Stud is a feather in the cap of the New Zealand breeding industry.
“It’s a great endorsement for Tivaci and demonstrates to breeders just how in demand these horses with Australian Group One success up to the mile are,” Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick said.
Touted as the world's fastest son of High Chaparral, Tivaci registered six wins from 1000-1600 metres with feature success in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes at weight-for-age, the Gr.3 VRC CS Hayes Stakes, the Gr.3 Sunshine Coast Guineas and the Listed VRC Kensington Stakes.
“Waikato Stud identified Tivaci as a potential sire prospect as a three-year-old, when he was consistently reeling off impressive final 600 sectionals,” Chittick said.
“At no time was his electric turn of foot more obvious than when he completed the final 600m of the Kensington Stakes at Flemington in 32.1 seconds – they have to be pretty special to be able to do that.
“In the wake of Tivaci’s brilliant All Aged Stakes win at Randwick, we were approached by connections of the English National Stud. When they came out to the stud to inspect him, it is safe to say they were very impressed.
“It has been a common theme with people who have come to the stud to see him, but we always knew he had to be a good type when he had two wonderful judges in Paul Moroney and Bruce Perry locked in a bidding duel trying to purchase him as a yearling.”
For England’s National Stud, the confirmation of Tivaci on the roster represents the dawn of a new era.
“This is a very exciting, ground breaking venture for the stud and we are very much looking forward to working with one of the major stallion farms in New Zealand,” stud chairman Ben Sangster said.
Bred by Hall of Fame trainer Bart Cummings, Tivaci is by High Chaparral out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Breccia.
“He has a unique pedigree for a top-class sprinter-miler,” Chittick said. “He is a good 16 hands high and an absolute beast.
“Since arriving at Waikato Stud, Tivaci has taken everything in his stride. Knowing how well he has done here and how well he has been received, we are extremely confident that breeders will be likewise as impressed when he flies out to England at the end of the year.” – NZ Racing Desk.
