Following the recent announcement of the consolidation of the Kia Ora stallions into the Vinery roster, Vinery is pleased to unveil a strengthened and bolstered line-up for 2026.
The addition of Farnan, Captivant and exciting new stallion Tropicus reinforces a roster that blends proven class, emerging talent and strong commercial appeal, offering breeders an exciting mix of established sires and rising stars at every level of the market.
Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk headlines the 2026 Vinery roster and continues to build one of the most exciting profiles in the country. The son of Written Tycoon sired more first crop Stakes-winning 2YOs than any of the past 10 Champion First Season sires and now sits amongst the leading second-season sires by Stakes winners, striking at an outstanding 6.5% Stakes winners to runners headed by Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Ole Dancer.
Ole Kirk will stand his sixth season at $110,000 in 2026.
Golden Slipper winner Farnan has wasted no time stamping himself as a leading force amongst sires.
The most credentialled Champion 2YO colt in over a decade, he has already sired 10 Stakes horses, including seven 2YO Stakes horses, highlighted by Ninja, North England and King Of Pop.
He was Australia’s Leading First Season Sire by winners and Stakes horses and is currently leading the Second Season Sires table by winners and is second on earnings by only $35,000. Profoundly, recent runner up in a high-quality Group 1 Australian Oaks, demonstrates that, as well as his exceptional potency as a precocious speed influence, Farnan will also have versatility as a commercial sire.
Vinery is thrilled to have him join the 2026 roster standing for $77,000.
“With the announcement this week of the consolidation of the Kia Ora and Vinery rosters we are entering such an exciting time with our emerging roster of stallions. Both Ole Kirk and Farnan continue to demonstrate they are two young stallions on the rise with both stallions covering their strongest books yet and are set to prove themselves as vital stallions to our industry going forward.” said Vinery’s Adam White.
A cornerstone of the Vinery roster, All Too Hard continues to deliver at the highest level, boasting a standout juvenile season with Black Opal Stakes winner Music Time, who went on to run third in the Golden Slipper, and the explosive Listed Talindert Stakes winner Hard Kick.
A sire of tough, progressive and durable racehorses, All Too Hard has produced a Group 1 winner in every season since 2019/20. His popularity surged again in 2025, covering 154 mares, his largest book since 2020, reflecting unwavering breeder confidence in his consistency and versatility.
All Too Hard’s Fee will remain at $27,500.
“If he wasn’t already considered one of the best value stallions in the country, All Too Hard has certainly confirmed it this season. His consistency, toughness and ability to produce quality performers year after year sets him apart.” added White.
The roster is further strengthened by the arrival of exciting first-season sire Tropicus. The fastest and highest-rated sprinting son of Too Darn Hot, he is the only progeny of his sire to achieve a Timeform rating of 120+ over 1200m or less.
A brilliant debut-winning juvenile at Caulfield, Tropicus went on to capture the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, carrying the heaviest weight to victory since 1973 and recording the highest rating for a winner of the race in the past decade.
From a Group-performed daughter of Exceed And Excel, he offers breeders an elite blend of speed, pedigree and performance.
“Tropicus is already attracting strong support in his first season. As a Group 1-winning sprinter by Too Darn Hot, he offers breeders access to an exceptional sire line and profiles as a horse capable of producing early runners,” said White
Tropicus will stand his debut season at $27,500.
Exceedance continues to rise in prominence, producing three Group winners this season. The only stallion among third crop sires to produce more is Too Darn Hot.
His yearlings remain in strong demand, averaging $195,000 at Magic Millions and selling up to $300,000, while striking at an impressive 7.5% Stakes horses to runners on the track.
With his current weanling crop his largest to date, he is an appealing prospect.
Exceedance will stand this season for $22,000.
A regally bred son of I Am Invincible, Hawaii Five Oh has made an immediate impression on breeders.
After covering 340 mares across his first two seasons, his first foals have been met with widespread approval, with breeders returning in increased numbers on the strength of their quality and type.
His first weanlings will be offered in 2026, and he will stand at $16,500.
Star Turn remains one of the most consistent value sires in the market, boasting a 70% winners-to-runners strike rate and strong international appeal, particularly in Hong Kong where he has produced 10 winners.
His yearlings continue to be highly sought after, reaching up to $300,000 in 2026.
Star Turn’s 2026 service fee is $11,000.
A Group 1-winning juvenile from a deep and prolific female family, Captivant has already seen yearlings sell up to $340,000 to astute judges.
His first runners are now progressing toward their three-year-old season, with strong reports emerging from stables.
Captivant will also join the Vinery roster in 2026 and stand for a fee of $11,000.
Rounding out the roster, Headwater continues to shine as a proven breed-to-race stallion.
He has produced 19 Stakes horses, five millionaires, and is once again approaching the 100-winner milestone this season.
Headwater will stand at $5,500 this season.
“Exceedance continues to earn strong industry respect, while Star Turn and Headwater offer outstanding value. Captivant is an exciting young sire with his first crop progressing well and Hawaii Five Oh has made a strong impression through the quality of his foals.”
“We are delighted with the line-up we are able to offer breeders this year. There is truly something for everyone at every level, and we are excited to see what the future holds for the 2026 roster,” said White.
