VA PENSIERO(Stratum-Rosmarino)has become a significant addition to the stallion roster of Riverdene Stud, Wagga Wagga.
The dual Group winning son of Golden Slipper winner Stratum was oneof the outstanding performers of his generation.
A class record breaking juvenile precocious enough to
line-up in the Golden Slipper of his year, VA PENSIERO trained on to land
boththe Group 3 ATC San Domenico Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 ATC Run to
the Roses (1200m) during a memorable spring 3-year-old campaign.
VA PENSIERO's victories in the San Domenico and Run to the Roses stamped him as a hugely talented colt with a racing profileto make a significant impression as a stallion.
A proven stepping stone to stud success, the San Domenico has been won by some hugely commercial stallions in the past. The standouts include General Nediym, Testa Rossa and Charge Forward, as well as the likes of Proud Knight, Sir Dapper, Let's Get Physical, Show County, Our Maizcay, Zariz etc — all successful sires in their own right.
More recently, Star Turn landed the 2016San Domenico at the beginning of his very prominent 3-year-old season before being retired to Vinery in very recent weeks.
VA PENSIERO's Run to the Roses victory is equally as significant as his San Domenico win in terms of his stud prospects.To suggest that the 2013 renewal was a vintage edition is almost a gross understatement.
In carrying 58kg to victory, VA PENSIERO defeated none other than future Horse of the Year Dissident in second place, with the likes of Zoustar (4th), Eurozone (8th), Criterion (11th) and Sidestep (14th) all finishing further back in the field.
Notably, each and every one of this contingent is either a recognisedChampion and/or multiple Group 1 winner of the very highest calibre. Collectively, they representthe most sought-after group of young stallions in Australasia and underlinethe level of VA PENSIERO's racing ability.
The premature death of VA PENSIERO's sire Stratum in September last yearhas made his relatively small number of sons at stud much more of a premium for broodmare owners.
One of Widden Stud's finest servants for the past decade, Stratum established himself as one of the foremost colonial stallions of his time, apoint proven time and time again by the likes of Group 1 winning progeny Crystal Lily (Golden Slipper S.-G1), Streama (George Main S.-G1), Southern Lord (Levin Classic-G1), Stratum Star (Sir Rupert Clarke S.-G1) and, most recently, Takedown (Winterbottom S.-G1).
Significantly, Stratum Star has since replaced his sire Stratum on the Widden Stud stallion roster and commences his stud career this coming season.
Stratum's quality son VA PENSIERO provides broodmare owners with a double cross of both Danzig and Bletchingly — two of the greatest influences in the Australian Stud Book.
Directly descended from the Group 1 AJC Flight Stakes winner Gelsomino, his stakes-placed second-dam Amaia is a full-sister to the former outstanding 2-year-old Mercury, the Todman Slipper Trial (G2) winner and Breeders' Plate (G3) runner-up of his generation.
VA PENSIERO is to stand his first season on the Riverdene Stud stallion roster at a fee of $6600 (inc GST) payment on live foal.
