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As one of the fastest winners of the time-honored Gr.1 Golden Slipper in recent years, the son of Not A Single Doubt is confirmed to race in Aquis Stud’s colours in this year’s A$15m The TAB Everest.
Although due to the range of COVID restrictions placed on various sectors of the industry annual stallion parades were unable to take place, the Aquis team produced a groundbreaking online Virtual Stallion Parade to showcase their 2020 stallion roster.
Over 300 races have been run and won by Aquis owned and partnered horses in the last three seasons, highlighted by more than 40 Stakes races. Currently Aquis races a host of stakes winners in partnership led by the highest Timeform rated juvenile of his generation, Farnan as well as the up and coming, last start Listed winner Mo’unga, who will target Gr.1 races throughout the Spring.
Shane McGrath of Aquis Stud Farm, The TAB Everest slot holders Aquis Stud & the co-owners of Farnan speaks to Everest Diaries about their contender, stallion roster, future plans and much more:
Q: As the Managing Director at Aquis, what are your strategies for selecting the horse to race in Aquis’ Everest slot? Based on experience, would you be able to share Aquis' criteria for choosing their contender?
A: Aquis looks at many factors when selecting which horse will be given the opportunity to race in our Everest Slot. This year, it was a matter of simply looking at the sensational 2yo campaign that Farnan had and the ratings he achieved, culminating in a dominant victory in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper.
From an Aquis slot holder’s perspective and the owners of Farnan, principally Mr Krishnan, they are happy to partner with Aquis to proceed with the son of Not A Single Doubt towards The Everest. The race hasn’t been around a long time, but it’s fast become one of the iconic sprinting races in Australia, with significant global recognition.
I have a feeling that a strong 1200 metres, which you’re going to get at Randwick, it’s going to be a high-pressure race that is going really going to suit Farnan and the ownership group shares the confidence of Gai and Adrian that Farnan will prove himself worthy on the big day, make no mistake he was the dominant two-year-old last year.
He is on his home track, likely to get track conditions to suit, the distance looks ideal and I am sure he will give us a great sight. It’s been part of our Everest dream from the outset to be represented by an Aquis colt in our slot, and whilst we have new partners in Kia Ora joining ourselves and Phoenix, the emotion will still be running high for all of us at Aquis come race day.
The victory of Yes Yes Yes in the 2019 running of the race, showed that the 3YOs are more than capable of taking on the older sprinters in the world’s richest race on turf, and we’re confident that Farnan will be at his best for the race.
What better opportunity for a Champion 2YO to lay claim to Champion 3YO status than wearing the Everest crown.
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Q: What does the stallion roster look like? Are there any interesting names in the books that you can share?
A: Aquis is standing a high-quality roster of 18 stallions in 2020 across three states, the only operation in Australia to stand stallions at that many locations.
The roster is headlined by Gr.1 All Aged Stakes winner Pierata, who has commenced covering an outstanding book of mares led by the multiple Gr.1 winner Loving Gaby, while Aquis’ other first crop stallions on the roster include Invincible Spirit’s Gr.1-winning, unbeaten 2YO Royal Meeting who stands in Victoria, Pierro’s Gr.3-winning juvenile Bellevue Hill in NSW, as well as record-breaking Breeders’ Plate winner Dubious has commenced stud duties in Queensland.
The first crop of Divine Prophet and Kiss And Makeup hit the track this season and we’re excited by the reports we are receiving from trainers across the country, while the first foals are arriving by Brave Smash, Lean Mean Machine, Performer and Santos this season, with many breeders booking straight back into the stallion based on the resultant foal.
Q: Who would you say is your favorite horse in the world and the best racing experience you’ve had thus far?
A: How can you go past Farnan on both fronts? I will add the word unique alongside the best experience. His victory in the Golden Slipper was memorable for so many reasons but unfortunately, we couldn’t be trackside to enjoy the day. On a positive note, I had my family with me in Scone and had both Tony and Justin Fung watching the race with me on Zoom (God Bless Zoom, until then, I thought it was something to do with driving fast!:.
When we set out at the sales, the dream and the driver was to find a Golden Slipper colt, throw in he is by our favourite stallion in Not A Single Doubt, trained by the world’s favourite trainers in Gai Waterhouse (oh and everyone seems to like Adrian as well!: makes him an impossible horse to go past.
Q: What are your plans for Aquis over the next 5 years? Where do you see Aquis in 2025?
A: Over the next five years Aquis will continue to consolidate our position within the local and international industry, continuing to nurture and foster top-class racehorses that can race at the elite level before retiring to stud as stallion prospects.
Ensuring that our clients are continually looked after, and we do all we can to aid them in achieving every success is also a major facet of the business that we aim to achieve to the highest degree.
Q: And finally, what’s a book you’ve been reading recently that you’ve enjoyed immensely?
A: I have just finished “Banjo” by Grantlee Kieza. The title tells the tale but it is a most enjoyable read about the legendary Banjo Patterson. What a sportsman he truly was and what a life well lived by the boy from the bush who became the voice of a generation.