Every colt that has won the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes since 2000 has been given a shot at commercial stud success by major farms and while their results have been mixed with Pierro a clear standout, the winner of the race in 2017 is probably exceeding expectation this season.
Choisir colt The Mission had 19 starts winning just two of them with his two and a half length win in the Group I ATC champagne Stakes over Invader the highlight in an otherwise fairly average racing career.
The Mission retired to Aquis Farm and covered 104 mares in his first season at a fee of $13,200 and that first crop of two year-olds have certainly made their mark.
The Mission is the equal leading first crop sire by winners with eight on the board from just 14 runners highlighted by his metro winners Mishani Warfare, Mishani Mental and Mishani Embrace.
A grand-daughter of Carry on Cutie, who won the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes in 2005, The Mission has a 3 x 3 double cross of Danehill as his dam is by Redoute’s Choice, so is a good match for mares free of Danehill.
All eight of his winners fit that profile and four of them are bred from mares by Zabeel line sires.
This Mission covered 54 mares last spring, but it sure to be popular this year with breeders seeking an affordable Danehill line sire in Queensland with real precocity.
