First Foals for Sword of State

Sword of State, purchased by David Ellis CNZM from the Magic Millions' sale, and trained by Te Akau, now is making his mark as a sire standing at Cambridge Stud.

The striking stallion had a stellar career whilst in the stable:

He won six of his 10 starts, including the Group 1 Sistema Stakes and Group 3 Matamata Slipper, whilst finishing third to multiple Group 1 winner Imperatriz in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes ... culminating in him being named Champion 2YO of the Year.

As a 3YO he was a dual Group 3 winner before being retired to stud - victorious in the Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy on Karaka Million night Imperatriz runner up), and the Haunui Stud King's Plate (Babylon Berline runner up) during Auckland Cup Week.

We have four mares due to foal to Sword of State in September and October, and we cannot wait to welcome them.

NZ Racing News reports on the new arrivals thus far at Cambridge Stud:

Cambridge’s Stud Champion Two-Year-Old Sword Of State has ushered in the next phase of his career with the arrival of two well-bred colts.

As a Group One-winning son of Snitzel, Sword Of State has natural appeal to the Australian market and the exciting young stallion’s first foal has arrived across the Tasman at famed Hunter Valley nursery Kia Ora Stud.

“Needle And Thread had a belter of a Sword of State colt,” Kia Ora Stud’s Bloodstock and Breeding Manager Shane Wright said.

“He’s genuinely as a good a maiden foal as you could hope for.”

Needle And Thread (Makfi) was a gifted mare who won the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) for owner Kevin Hickman and Kia Ora secured her off the track for $410,000 when she was offered as part of the Valachi Downs Dispersal last year.

Sword Of State’s second foal arrived in New Zealand when the winning Rip Van Winkle mare O’Carol (NZ) delivered a colt at Elsdon Park for breeder Brown Thoroughbreds Ltd.

“We had a nice Sword of State born last night out of O’Carol,” said Elsdon Park’s General Manager Kerrie Cox.

“He’s a good looker and well worth the wait.”

O’Carol is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Odeon (NZ) (Zacinto) and has already proven herself as a broodmare with her first foal being the stakes-performer Sedaka (NZ) (Savabeel).

A daughter of Savabeel, Sedaka showed her quality as a three-year-old last season when runner-up in both the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m).

The strength of pedigree of Sword Of State’s first two foals are testament to the top-quality mares he covered in his first season at stud and he will stand at a fee of $15,000 + GST again this season.