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Maurice set to return to Hunter Valley stud in 2021
Three-time Japanese Grade 1 winner Admire Mars (Daiwa Major) will shuttle to Arrowfield Stud for the 2021 season where he will stand for an introductory fee of $22,000 (inc GST) and he will be joined by fellow Japanese Grade 1 winner Maurice (Screen Hero), who will return to the New South Wales-based nursery and he will be offered at a fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
Admire Mars - who has just covered his first book of mares at the Shadai Stallion Station - was crowned Japanese champion two-year-old in 2018, having been unbeaten in four starts as a juvenile, culminating in victories in the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) and Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m).
As a three-year-old he landed the NHK Mile Cup (Gr 1, 1600m) and he added a fourth and final Group 1 to his record when he took out the Hong Kong Mile (Gr 1, 1600m). The colt retired the winner of six of his 13 starts, which saw him accrue ¥553,344,633 (approx. $6,615,482) in career prize-money.
Maurice stood at Arrowfield in 2017, 2018 and 2019, but did not return to the New South Wales stud due to the coronavirus pandemic and he will return to Australia for the 2021 season.
Currently the leading second season sire in Japan, the stallion has produced 59 winners in total headed by three stakes winners, headed by Grade 2 scorer Shigeru Pink Ruby, while in Australia he has sired five winners, headed by stakes-placed pair Mazu and Maurice's Medad.
The roster is once again headed by four-time champion stallion Snitzel (Redoute's Choice) and he will stand for an unchanged fee of $165,000 (inc GST). The son of Redoute's Choice (Danehill) has sired ten stakes winners this season, headed by Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Sword Of State, while he was also responsible for the top lot Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Meanwhile, Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) - the sire of five winners from his first Australian crop, headed by Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) winner Shaquero, who also landed the Breeders' Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) and Pago Pago Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) - will stand his fifth season at Arrowfield Stud for an increased fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
Dundeel (High Chaparral) will stand for an unchanged fee of $66,000 (inc GST), while his son Castelvecchio (Dundeel) will cover his second book of mares at a fee of $33,000 (inc GST). Meanwhile, The Autumn Sun (Redoute's Choice) - whose first foals hit the sales ring next year - will stand for the second consecutive year at $66,000 (inc GST).
Pariah's (Redoute's Choice) first crop were well received by buyers in the sales ring, with 64 of his yearlings selling for an aggregate $6,754,121 at an average of $105,533, with his top colt making $375,000. The son of Redoute's Choice will stand for an unchanged fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
The roster is completed by Showtime (Snitzel), who will stand the second consecutive year at a fee of $11,000 (inc GST).
"Arrowfield stallions have generated more than $125 million in prize-money and major yearling sale results in Australia this season alone," said Arrowfield's chairman John Messara.
"In an industry that is proving resilient and robustly competitive during a period of global turbulence, I am confident that our 2021 roster will maintain that exceptional level of performance for breeders and owners."
2021 Arrowfield Stud roster (all fees inc GST)Snitzel - $165,000 ($165,000)
Dundeel - $66,000 ($66,000)
The Autumn Sun - $66,000 ($66,000)
Maurice - $44,000 (did not stand in 2020)
Shalaa - $44,000 ($33,000)
Castelvecchio - $33,000 ($33,000)
Admire Mars - $22,000 (NEW)
Pariah - $16,500 ($16,500)
Showtime - $11,000 ($11,000)