Coolmore Australia confirms details of 15-strong roster for 2018

Coolmore Australia has announced details of its 2018 stallion roster, which principal Tom Magnier believes is the strongest to ever stand at the global breeding giant's Jerry Plains property.

Fastnet Rock, whose A$2.3 million colt out of The Broken Shore topped this week's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, once again leads the way, with his fee continuing to be advertised as private.

The most significant year-on-year change sees Pierro, whose son Levendi landed last Saturday's Australian Derby, have his fee increased by more than 75 per cent to A$88,000, the highest advertised fee among the 15-strong roster.

US Triple Crown hero American Pharoah remains at A$66,000, while the Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Merchant Navy will join his father on the roster when he returns from his time in Europe with Aidan O'Brien at a fee of A$55,000.

Merchant Navy is being set for a tilt at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and warmed up for the trip with an eye-catching third in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington last month.

Fellow newcomers Caravaggio and Churchill will stand for A$33,000 and A$27,500 respectively, while reverse shuttler Pride Of Dubai is joined by So You Think in remaining at A$44,000.

"Our roster now comprises many of the best Australian-raced stallion prospects to retire to stud over the past number of years along with international stars like American Pharoah, Churchill and Caravaggio," said Magnier. "All in all we believe it is the finest collection of stallions ever to stand at Jerrys Plains.

"Our flagship horse Fastnet Rock continues to excel both on the racecourse and in the sales ring and in Merchant Navy we are thrilled to have arguably his best sprinting son joining the roster following his stint with Aidan O’Brien in Europe.

"Pierro is now firmly established as the best young sire in the country while So You Think has produced a trio of Group 1 winners from his first two crops.

"The stock by Rubick, Vancouver and Pride of Dubai have been extremely well received so we are very excited about the future."

Caravaggio is not the only son of Scat Daddy on offer to breeders, with No Nay Never, whose first northern hemisphere runners have made a promising start on the track this week, shuttling once again at an increased fee of A$19,250.

Cox Plate winner Adelaide and fellow shuttler Air Force Blue return, with their fees unchanged, the same being true for Choisir, the sire of 11 Group 1 winners, and his son Starspangledbanner.

Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, whose first crop are weanlings in 2018, is also unchanged at A$49,500, with fellow leading juvenile Rubick remaining at A$17,600.

Coolmore Australia's 2018 rosterFees inc GST

Adelaide A$11,000 (unchanged)
Air Force Blue A$16,500 (unchanged)
American Pharoah A$66,000 (unchanged)
Caravaggio A$33,000 (new)
Choisir A$29,700 (unchanged)
Churchill $27,500 (new)
Fastnet Rock Private (unchanged)
Merchant Navy A$55,000 (new)
No Nay Never A$19,250 (2017: A$11,000)
Pierro A$88,000 (2017: A$49,500)
Pride Of Dubai A$44,000 (unchanged)
Rubick A$17,600 (unchanged)
So You Think A$44,000 (2017: A$60,500)
Starspangledbanner A$11,000 (2017: A$16,500)
Vancouver A$49,500 (unchanged)

For complete coverage of racing and bloodstock in Australia and New Zealand, download ANZ Bloodstock News every day