Spartacus - Deep through the girth, strongly made, lovely head and a nice mover’ - qualities which immediately struck The Oaks manager Rick Williams when first viewing the horse at Coolmore Stud in Ireland.

Most importantly for Williams, Spartacus had confirmed his own attractive physical type on the racetrack by proving himself a star performer at two years – A key consideration when considering the overall sire-success of Danehill’s best sire sons. 

“It has been the precocious sons of Danehill, such as Spartacus who have done exceptionally well at stud in the Southern Hemisphere” said Williams.  For confirmation one needs only to consider Redoute’s Choice, Flying Spur, Danzero and Danehill Dancer - All Group One winning Danehill two year olds.

Breeders Now Looking for Early Maturity!

A dual Group One winning 2 year old, Spartacus brings both early maturity and speed that New Zealand breeders are looking to introduce into their families. An inspection of Spartacus’ first crop juveniles confirms he throws to his own physical type – all strongly built and just the types to hit the track running as 2YO’s and spring 3YO’s.

As with Spartacus himself, his juveniles look ideally suited at three to stepping up from a sprint distance to the mile and further spring 3YO races.

Said Spartacus’ champion trainer Aiden O’Brien following the colt’s win in the Gr.1 Phoenix Stakes over 1200m, “We’ve always thought highly of Spartacus. He’s obviously an improving colt and should stay further.” Indeed Spartacus excelled when stepping up to the mile for O’Brien, winning the Gr.1 Gran Criterium - Italy’s Premier Group One event for 2 year olds.

Immediate Appeal…A Goodlooking Danehill with a lovely walk

Spartacus was immediately popular with local breeders on his arrival at The Oaks.  This breeder support intensified in 2007 following the sales success of his first crop yearlings at the Karaka Sales -  Spartacus’ colts and fillies selling up to $250,000 and averaging $79,174 across the 2007 Premier/Select/Festival sessions. 

With these sales results and some very positive talk among breakers’ and trainers Spartacus’ 2007 book climbed to a record 170 mares.

Immediate Success for Spartacus

Leading First Season Sire in New Zealand

With stakes earnings of $236,650 and just winter racing ahead, Spartacus now looks assured of finishing this season as the leading first season stallion on the NZ sires table.   A winning effort which sees him currently (May 7^th) heading: Captain Rio - $172,750, Thorn Park - $120,175, Gold Mine - $119,300, Rusty Spur - $36,725, Danroad - $24,060 and Ekraar - $11,340.

On the tracks, Spartacus’ first crop of two-year-olds showed immediate brilliance, with a number of his progeny winning trials in early spring.  In January he came close to landing New Zealand's richest juvenile race, the listed $1,000,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Millions. 

Spartacus filly Maureen Dorothy (pictured) finished second in the Karaka Millions, earning $172,000 for her placing behind Vincent Mangano.  Previously the Chris Smith trained filly had run 2^nd in the $75,000 ARC Eclipse Stakes, Gr.3, beaten a half length by Lady Alberton with San Bernadino 3^rd. 

Richard Otto’s Spartacus colt Fyfetheknife (pictured) showed his natural talent when winning three trials impressively in the spring.  His summer efforts included a courageous 4^th in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes, followed up with a close 3^rd in the $100,000 Wakefield Stakes, Gr.2 (behind Captain Fantastic and Reuben Thorne).

Robert Priscott’s Spontaneous (pictured) looks another potential star 3YO for Spartacus in the spring.  In running 3^rd in the listed Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie in April, the colt became Spartacus’ 3^rd stakes performer from just 11 raceday starters in New Zealand.

Spontaneous is considered by Priscott an ideal staying type, and he will now set the colt for the rich VRC Derby, Gr.1, run in November.

Bright Spark!  Another Impressive Winner

Always rated highly, Bright Spark (pictured) lived up to trainer Murray Baker’s expectations when impressively taking out the $20,000 Cambridge Juvenile at Te Rapa in April.

Bright Spark followed-up winning again over 1200m at Matamata on May 10th. 

Next start at Ellerslie for the listed Great Northern Foal Stakes over 1400m - Bright Spark became the 4th stakes performer for Spartacus from his first NZ foal crop.  His effort impressing all when running the highly regarded Moroney trained colt St Culpe to a half length second after hitting the front very early in the run home. 

With four stakes performers and two winners from his first crop, plus a number of promising trials winners yet to debut - Spartacus looks set for an exciting spring!