Sword of State Flying

Stallions Firing: Sword Of State Leads the Charge

Few stables can legitimately claim a long-standing record of not only identifying stand-out colts at the sales, but also developing them to win at the elite level on the track, thus transforming them into successful stallions. Te Akau Racing has done it time and again - and Sword Of State is rapidly emerging as yet another outstanding example.

Purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$600,000, Sword Of State was identified early as a colt with exceptional speed, strength and presence. Trained by Te Akau, he delivered on that promise in emphatic style, becoming Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year following a brilliant juvenile campaign.

His crowning achievement came with a dominant Group 1 Sistema Stakes' victory, where he defeated subsequent Group 1 winner On The Bubbles by 3.5 lengths. He also captured the Group 3 Matamata Slipper by 6.5 lengths in race-record time and the Group 3 King’s Plate in a blistering 1:08.17. At three, he continued to prove his class as a multiple Group-winning sprinter, including a memorable Group 3 Almanzor Trophy victory over ten-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz.

By Snitzel - four-time Champion Sire and four-time Champion Two-Year-Old Sire in Australia - and out of a Group-placed two-year-old by Champion Sire Encosta de Lago, Sword Of State always had the pedigree to match his performance. What has followed since he retired to stud has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations.

Immediate Impact at Stud

Sword Of State is making all the right headlines as a first-season sire. He was the leading New Zealand-based first-season sire at the 2025 yearling sales, with his first crop averaging over $200,000, highlighted by standout results of $540,000, $400,000, A$380,000, A$375,000, $350,000 and A$340,000 at the major sales.

More importantly, his progeny are now backing that up on the racetrack.

As reported by New Zealand Racing News, Sword Of State has made an immediate and emphatic impact across the Tasman. His first Australian runner Torture claimed the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m), announcing the sire in style. Not content with that, Sword Of State quickly went two from two in Australia when Warwoven scored on debut at Randwick last weekend.

Warwoven was sold for A$380,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is now headed toward the A$3 million Magic Millions at the Gold Coast on January 17 - further underscoring just how sought-after and commercially attractive Sword Of State’s progeny have already become.

An Opportunity Now — Before January Tells the Story

With January fast approaching and the spotlight about to intensify on Sword Of State’s stock, Te Akau currently has final shares available in a stunning Sword Of State two-year-old colt.

Now named Sword of Steel, this colt has impressed everyone who has laid eyes on him. He is broken in, professional, and showing all the attributes you want to see at this stage. All going well, he is expected to trial early in the New Year. With the popularity of Sword Of State’s progeny only set to surge further through the summer, he represents exceptional value for a horse of his quality.

Opportunities like this do not last long. We know exactly what Sword Of State is capable of — because we developed him.

Almanzor Also Firing

Almanzor, who stands alongside Sword of State at Cambridge Stud, continues to deliver at the highest level, with recent black-type success reinforcing his position as a serious sire of quality.

Over the weekend, Almanzor progeny scored notable victories on both sides of the Tasman, including wins by Touchdown and Roadcone at Caulfield, a Te Rapa double and a stakes' winner at Trentham. 

Of course, closer to home, Almanzor is the sire of our outstanding mare Qali Al Farrasha, now four times Group 1 placed and the winner of the Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes - a performance that further highlights the sire’s ability to produce elite-class performers.

We also have final shares available in a classy Almanzor filly, Asturia, who is blossoming into a beautiful type and continues to impress as she matures.

The Time to Get Involved

With both stallions firing - we have these two final ownership opportunities available in our high-quality two year olds Sword of Steel and Asturia who have it all ahead of them ...   now is the perfect time to get involved - treat yourself or a loved one for Christmas - there's still time!

If you would like further information on either opportunity, we would be delighted to hear from you.