In a major development for the New Zealand breeding industry sensationally bred and performed, Group one winning racehorse PROFONDO has been secured for stud duties by a partnership headed by Windsor Park and Mapperley Studs.
A $1.9 million sales-topping Magic Millions yearling by world-leading sire DEEP IMPACT, PROFONDO made a winning debut over 1400m at Randwick in Sydney as an early 3YO prior to winning the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes at just his third start.
“Windsor Park is really excited to be joining with Mapperley Stud again in a brilliant stallion prospect who is a strikingly handsome individual with a race record and pedigree to match.
“He was a sales-topping yearling and from a fantastic family, but few tick all boxes and end up being Group One winners as well,” said Windsor Park studmaster Rodney Schick.
The Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes has been an important stallion defining race with winners including Champion Sire SAVABEEL as well as DUNDEEL, who beat this season’s leading sire PROISIR in the race.
“His rating to win the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick is the highest of any winner in at least the past six years. The most notable aspect to his performance though is that Profondo has done this at only his third career start,” Dan O’Sullivan, The Rating Bureau
After finishing fourth to the great ANAMOE in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas on his final 3YO appearance, PROFONDO subsequently debuted for his 4YO season in the 1400m Gr.1 Winx Stakes, where he again met ANAMOE and achieved a career high rating when finishing third to him, a mere 1.9 lengths in arrears.
Apart from his winning debut, PROFONDO only ever raced in Group races and retires sound to Windsor Park Stud.
“I have followed PROFONDO since his debut win and my regard for him has only increased.
“Recently I contacted leading agent Andy Williams to approach PROFONDO’s connections and we started negotiations from there.
“He has everything you could want in a stallion prospect and I’m proud to be associated with Rod and Windsor Park in another exciting stallion venture together,” Simms Davison, Mapperley Stud.
PROFONDO is the first foal of the REDOUTE’S CHOICE 2YO Group winner HONESTY PREVAILS, a $720,000 yearling herself who ran fifth in the Gr.1 STC Golden Slipper to CAPITALIST and YANKEE ROSE.
HONESTY PREVAILS’ first three foals have averaged $1.35 million in the yearling salesring while her grandam ALMOND ESSENCE, by SEATTLE SLEW, is a three-quarter-sister to the legendary racehorse and sire A.P. INDY.
Offered as a yearling by Arrowfield Stud, PROFONDO was closely followed throughout his career by Arrowfield supremo John Messara who had this to say:
“PROFONDO has the attributes you look for in a stallion; physique, genetics and performance. Importantly he is from a stallion making family and by ten-times Champion Japanese Sire DEEP IMPACT. It’s no surprise therefore that he sold for $1.9 million as a yearling.”
John Freyer Arrowfield Bloodstock manager also recalled PROFONDO following his success in the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes.
“Right from day one, he was an absolutely magnificent foal – a real standout. He was glorious and made a real impression on us as a young horse.”
Further announcements including Profondo’s 2023 service fee will be made in due course.
