Ten Sovereigns signed up to shuttle to Valachi Downs in New Zealand

New Zealand stud Valachi Downs has linked with international giant Coolmore to stand dual Group 1 winner Ten Sovereigns this year alongside fellow shuttler US Navy Flag, who stood his first season last year.

The Kevin Hickman-owned Valachi Downs has also announced that it would take on the promising Wellfield Lodge stallion Vespa, whose first-crop juveniles made an encouraging start this season before the coronavirus pandemic brought New Zealand racing to a halt.

Unbeaten in three starts at two, Ten Sovereigns made an auspicious start to his career with a seven-length maiden triumph before landing the Round Tower Stakes by nearly four lengths.

The quality colt confirmed himself as one of Europe’s best juveniles with victory in the Middle Park Stakes for Aidan O’Brien. Returning as a three-year-old, he stamped his class when winning the July Cup, a victory that prompted Coolmore to bring the son of No Nay Never to Australia for a tilt at The Everest before a wet track hindered his preparation.

He will stand for NZ$20,000 (all fees plus GST) this year.

“Our goal is to pull together a stallion line-up of high-quality individuals that are genetically and physically suited to the New Zealand market, with a mix of local and international bloodlines,” Valachi Downs general manager Gareth Downey said.

“While the industry is in a challenging place at the moment, New Zealand breeders are a resilient bunch and we want to support them in the best possible way with an elite and diverse roster.

“We're delighted to further develop the partnership with Coolmore and stand the fast and precocious juvenile colt Ten Sovereigns this season.

“Like US Navy Flag, he has a speed profile and can physically be described as a beautifully scopey individual. We believe this exceptionally fast duo of elite sprinters will complement each other on the Valachi roster.”

US Navy Flag, who is also owned by Coolmore, will stand for NZ$17,500 in his second season at stud while Zacinto (NZ$8,000) and Savile Row (NZ$2,500) have had their fees reduced this year.

The service fee for Vespa, who was bred by Hickman, will remain unchanged at NZ$5,000.

Despite a small crop of 53 foals in his debut stud season, Vespa has had two Group-placed juveniles from his first eight runners.

Vespa’s two-year-old daughter Kelly Renee was runner-up in the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes from the outside barrier and also placed third in the Sistema Stakes, while his two-year-old colt Piaggio has delivered a win and three placings including a runner-up finish in the Taranaki 2YO Classic.

“The team at Wellfield Lodge have done an exceptional job with Vespa’s early stud career,” Downey said.

“We would like to thank them and the shareholders in the horse for their support of the decision by Valachi and Wellfield to move Vespa to the Waikato where he will have access to a larger broodmare pool.”

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