Group One sire Staphanos takes top billing at Novara Park

After siring a two-year-old Group One winner in his very first crop, the service fee for Novara Park stallion Staphanos has risen from $7,000 to $15,000 plus GST for the 2023 breeding season.
Staphanos is by the extraordinary Japanese racehorse and sire Deep Impact, whose influence has also been felt in our part of the world this season through the deeds of another of his sire sons, Rich Hill Stud shuttler Satono Aladdin.
In his own racetrack career, Staphanos came into his own as an older horse – placing at Group One level in Japan and Hong Kong at the ages of four, five and six. But he has made his mark much more quickly at stud, with first-crop daughter Pignan winning the Gr. 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes and placing in the Gr. 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes and Listed Wellesley Stakes.
“When you go back in history and see which stallions left a two-year-old Group One winner from their first crop, the only ones in recent history were Makfi and Per Incanto,” Novara Park principal Luigi Muollo said.
“They both ended up siring multiple Group One winners and became very successful sires, so the future for Staphanos is going to be very exciting.
“Clearly the Deep Impact blood has had astonishing results this season in New Zealand with Satono Aladdin siring Tokyo Tycoon and the dual Oaks winner Pennyweka.
“I am excited about a number of trial winners and performers that are coming through. Remembering that Staphanos was at his best over middle-distance races, you can really picture his progeny excelling when they get out to 1600, 2000 and 2400 metres.”
Sweynesse has also earned a fee increase at Novara Park this year, moving from $9,000 up to $10,000. He has been thrust into the spotlight by the superstar Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Sweynesse, who has won three Group One races this season.
“Sweynesse has had a sensational season,” Muollo said. “He is the leading New Zealand sire in Hong Kong.
“At Karaka 2023, he averaged over 10 times his service fee, and at the Ready to Run Sale he averaged over 13 times his service fee. We will only see more demand for his progeny.”
King Of Comedy, whose oldest progeny are currently weanlings, remains unchanged at $7,000. New recruit Press Statement, who stood in Australia last season for a fee of A$8,000, will make his New Zealand debut at a fee of $6,000.