WELCOME

The music very much plays on here at the National Stud where we are delighted to have welcomed the seven time Group 1 winner to our stallion roster. A modern racing icon, Stradivarius demonstrated incredible soundness and consistency to compete at the highest level for seven years. His tremendous turn of foot and versatility to win from distances of 1 mile to 2.5 miles make him a truly unique athlete and to be able to give breeders the opportunity to access such incredible talent.

2022 has proved another extremely busy year with over 500 mares covered and 100 foals born. Advertise and Aclaim moved home to Manton Park Stud this year. We are delighted to have launched the careers of two such exciting young stallions and it has been very rewarding for the whole team to see what a strong start both Aclaim and Advertise have made to their stud careers. They both have bright futures ahead of them and we wish them every success for the future.

New recruit Lope Y Fernandez proved very popular with breeders and demonstrated exceptional fertility statistics in his first year. The only son of Lope De Vega standing in the UK, he covered a large book of exceptional mares including siblings to the likes of Showcasing, Kodi Bear and Subjectivist.

Time Test covered his largest book of mares to date following his stellar first crop giving him the title ‘Leading First Season Sire by Black Type winners’. His flag bearers on the track in 2022 included Group 2 Beresford Stakes winner CRYPTO FORCE and Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes winner ROCCHIGIANI. Group 1 performer Sunset Shiraz missed the beginning of the season due to injury but bounced back to form with a promising second to Classic performer Toy at Naas. Time Test is currently covering a quality book of mares at Little Avondale Stud in New Zealand and returns to Newmarket in mid-December. The future looks extremely bright for him with a Classic prospect for next year in CRYPTO FORCE, and over 460 mares covered in the last three seasons.

Rajasinghe had his first runners hitting the track this year and held a strike rate of 83% winners to runners for almost three months. He is currently sitting third on the first season sire ratings by winners to runners. His leading light has been Listed placed Waiting All Night who represented his sire in the Royal Ascot Gr.2 Coventry Stakes, the race that cemented his own position as a leading sprinter of his generation. Fittingly, this colt is a homebred for Rajasinghe’s owner Phil Cunningham, and we are delighted to see Phil reaping the rewards of supporting his stallion so strongly.

In July, we were delighted to announce Joe Bradley’s appointment as Head of Bloodstock. A Godolphin Flying Start graduate who has also worked in various Studs across Great Britain and New Zealand, Joe brings with him a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for the industry.

We also welcomed Abbie Taylor as Education Manager in April and she has already made a significant impact on the development of the Education Programme. Our Diploma students graduated in June, going on to work at Taylor Made and WinStar in Kentucky, Watership Down Cheveley Park and Darley in the UK among others. The TBA Entry to Stud Employment programme continues to provide a recruitment pipeline for stud staff, and we are looking at how we can increase numbers through this in 2023.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joe Grimwade for his significant contribution in 2022, it was wonderful for the whole team to work alongside one of our industry’s greatest stud managers during this season. Also a huge thank you to our clients – both new and longstanding, we look forward to working with you over the coming months and wish you a very successful season in 2023.

Anna Kerr Chief Executive Officer