Highly Recommended gets call-up to Cambridge Stud

Breakthrough New Zealand stallion Highly Recommended will be a new addition to the roster at the country's prestigious Cambridge Stud next year.

The famous nursery has recently been sold by its long-time principal Sir Patrick Hogan to local businessman Brendan Lindsay and wife Jo, with respected industry figure Henry Plumptre taking charge as chief executive from April.

Highly Recommended, a Fastnet Rock half-brother to Group 1 Emirates Stakes winner Sky Cuddle, was saddled by Peter Moody to land the Group 2 Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley.

He was retired to Berkley Stud in New Zealand and finished second in the country's first-season sire championship by progeny earnings for 2016-17, and currently sits second in the domestic sophomore standings.

Highly Recommended has supplied eight winners from 21 runners, with four stakes performers to his credit including Group 2 scorer Sumstreetsumwhere and dual Listed winner Waldorf - both of whom have been sold to Hong Kong.

His other black-type representatives are Group 1-placed two-year-old Joyfilly and Wanganui Guineas runner-up Kirkland.

He has gained wider recognition, serving 140 mares at Berkley Stud on the South Island of New Zealand this year.

"We were approached to stand Highly Recommended at Cambridge Stud and we believe that this decision is in the stallion's best future interests," Berkley Stud's Edwina Morris told NZ Racing Desk.

"We retain an ownership interest in him and will fully support him in the coming seasons."

Highly Recommended is set to stand alongside Tavistock, Power and Burgundy at Cambridge Stud.

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