The Australian Studbook have today released official covering statistics for the 2021 breeding season with 34 stallions covering books of 150 mares or more and seven of those covering 200 plus, so who where these super busy guys?
Newgate Farm’s Golden Slipper winning sire Capitalist led the list covering 243 mares at a fee of $99,000, which was a sharp increase in fee on the previous year when the son of Written Tycoon stood at $44,000 and covered 239 mares.
Capitalist was the leading first crop sire by winners and stakes-winners and was shaded narrowly in terms of earnings by his sub fertile barn mate Extreme Choice and has kept producing the goods this season now his oldest progeny are three and is currently the leading second crop sire by winners and earnings.
Capitalist has covered 200 plus books every season he has been at stud with his popularity showing no signs of waning.
Rosemont Stud’s Cox Plate winner Shamus Award covered his first ever 200 plus book covering 216 mares at a fee of $33,000 with his popularity buoyed during the spring by the deeds of his superstar staying son Incentivise.
With Widden Stud’s champion sire Zoustar priced at $154,000, breeders on a budget flocked to his gorgeous son Zousain, whose stunning first foals no doubt helped his cause considerably. Zousain covered 214 mares at $19,800, which was up on the 188 he covered the previous year.
As a dual Group I winning juvenile by champion sire Redoute’s Choice from the family of Not a Single Doubt, Coolmore’s King’s Legacy has an obvious profile for sire success that was not lost on breeders making him the busiest first season sire in 2021.
He covered 212 mares at $33,000 with the next busiest freshman sire being Newgate Farm’s Brazen Beau Group III winner North Pacific on 202 mares followed by Rosemont Stud’s Hanseatic (Street Boss (USA) on 195 mares, Kia Ora Stud’s Golden Slipper winner Farnan (Not a Single Doubt) on 192 mares, Widden Stud’s Anders (Not a Single Doubt) on 184 mares and Vinery Stud’s Caulfield Guineas winner Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) on 170 mares.
Coolmore’s So You Think was the busiest sire in 2020 and was right up to the mark again this year even with his fee increased from $38,500 to $77,000 to cover 204 mares.
Flying Artie was another Newgate sire at the top end of the list covering 201 mares at $33,000 which was a big increase on 113 mares the previous year at a fee of $16,500, his popularity driven by his Blue Diamond winner Artorius.
The list below features all 34 sires to cover 150 or more mares in 2021.
A comparison with last year’s list pictured below is always interesting and highlights the often fickle nature of the bloodstock industry.
Click here to read more about how the most expensive sires in 2021 were received.
