Vinery isn’t resting on its laurels despite one its most successful seasons on record in 2013-14 as they eagerly await the first crop of Australian Champion 3yo All Too Hard.
General manager Peter Orton and the Vinery team are already looking forward to the dawn of a new era with exciting young stallion All Too Hard.
The record-breaking colt of his generation, All Too Hard will begin covering his second book in September and he has the potential to surpass the stud records Vinery stalwarts Red Ransom, Testa Rossa, Mossman and More Than Ready.
All Too Hard was ranked Australia’s Champion 3YO in 2012-13. He earned that rating after powering past Pierro in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and then returning for an unbeaten WFA Autumn campaign in the G1 Orr Stakes, G1 Futurity Stakes and G1 All Aged Stakes.
He’s the only horse in history to claim those four Group 1 events in one season. “He’s just an absolute athlete and is right up there with the likes of Lonhro,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “He’s got the family, the pedigree and a big heart.”
All Too Hard (Casino Prince) covered one of the best books ever assembled for a first-season sire in the Hunter Valley last year. It included 18 Group 1 winners and the dams of 12 Group 1 winners.
Mares carrying foals to All Too Hard were in demand at the Magic Millions National Sale in June. There were 7 mares offered in foal to him and they averaged $352,000 on the Gold Coast.
Those returns came off a $66,000 (inc gst) service fee and Vinery has kept him at that price this year.
“He is the most spectacular physical specimen and offers a great pedigree mix to a vast range of broodmares,” Vinery general manager Peter Orton said. “He’s a half brother to Black Caviar and offers the blood of champion sires like Danehill, Snippets, Last Tycoon, Flying Spur and Vain.”
Hoofnote: The first All Too Hard foal arrived at Burnewang North Pastoral in Victoria on Thursday. A big, strong bay colt, he is the first foal out of USA bred mare Running Royalty (Songandaprayer).
