Victorian Proven Value

We’re a month into a new racing season and while Zoustar has flown the gates with four stakes-winners to his credit already there is another stallion that’s gotten off to a very good start and he’s one of the best value sires in Victoria this spring.

Victorian breeders are spoiled for choice this year with some great proven options to choose from starting with Toronado (IRE), who at $88,000 is the highest priced sire in the state, but if that’s a bit rich for your blood its hard to go past Woodside Park Stud’s Shalaa (IRE), who has put two stakes-winners on the board in quick succession in Recommendation and Mornington Glory.

Most Expensive Proven Sires in Victoria (*Written Tycoon private use)

Relocated from Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley last year to Woodside Park, Shalaa has been well received by Victorian breeders with a solid reputation for producing fast and precocious stock. That fact was highlighted last season when he sired eight juvenile winners including stakes-placed Roselyn’s Star and Sassy Jenni and metro winners Winning Proposal, Italian Riviera and Southern Charm.

The Shalaa stock can also train on with the Ciaron Maher trained five year-old gelding Recommendation racing in career best form with Group wins at his past three starts in sprint races at Caulfield boosting his prizemoney to just shy of $1million.

The Gavin Bedggood trained six year-old gelding Mornington Glory is another son of Shalaa finding top form as an older horse, reeling off three metro wins this year before his Black Type victory in the Listed MVRC Carlyon Stakes last month.

Shalaa covered 90 mares last spring with his first Victorian foals arriving this season.