It is with great sadness we announce the passing of one of our foundation sires, Mossman.
Bred by Peter and Wendy Moran, Mossman was a talented galloper on the track under the guidance of Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Connors. A Group 1 winner of the Queensland Classic (later known as the J.J. Atkins Stakes), he would also place in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes and ATC Champagne Stakes as a juvenile. At three he won twice at Stakes level including the Group 3 MVRC AAMI Vase over the 2040m Moonee Valley course and was also second in the Group 1 Australian Guineas behind Dignity Dancer.
Retired to stud in 2000 Mossman first stood at the Moran’s Noble Park Stud in Queensland for $5,000 and averaged just 32 mares covered over his first three seasons at stud. Instant racetrack success would follow with his first three crops producing 57 runners, of which 43 won including Group winners Our Sweet Moss, Segments and Pure Energy, who was second in the 2006 Golden Slipper Stakes behind Miss Finland.
This early success would instigate a deal between Vinery and the Moran family that saw the stallion relocate to the Hunter Valley property for the 2004 season. Mossman stood for a further 14 seasons at Vinery, establishing himself as one of the most consistent and popular stallions in the country and an integral part of Vinery’s success and brand.
Retired from stud duties in 2018 Mossman had a distinguished career at stud with a winners to runners percentage of over 73% and 41 individual Stakes winners, of which 6 won at Group 1 level.
His list of top-class performers is headed by tough campaigner Buffering, a winner of 20 races and over $7.2 million in prize money. The Rob Heathcote trained gelding met with international success when taking out the Group 1 Medan Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai and he won a further six Group 1 races in Australia including the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on three occasions.
Mossman’s daughter Mossfun took centre stage when winning the Golden Slipper Stakes in 2014 and in the process assisted her sire to become that season’s Champion two-year-old Sire; his barn mate Testa Rossa was second.
He also sired additional Group 1 winners Plucky Belle, Miss Mossman, Ofcourseican and Hong Kong Chairman’s Sprint Prize winner Ivictory.
“Mossman has made a massive impact on the Australia industry and played an enormous role in the success of the farm. He was a horse of great character and had the most beautiful nature. He will be sadly missed by all those around him, especially our staff who cared so well for him throughout his time here at Vinery. Mossman will be laid to rest next to his own sire Success Express, overlooking the stallion area,” said Vinery’s General Manager, Peter Orton.
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