Sharkbite – Top Quality at a Value Price

Hunter Valley based Byerley Stud owner Martin Hawcroft has not launched a new stallion since Victoria Derby winner and proven Group One producer Nothin’ Leica Dane retired in 1998 and the horse that has persuaded him back into the stallion business is blue-blooded Redoute’s Choice stakes-winner Sharkbite.

“He’s one of only two stakes-winning sons of Redoute’s Choice to be retiring to stud in the Hunter Valley this spring and will be receiving considerable support from his shareholders Jonathan Munz and Debbie and Joe Throsby,” said Martin Hawcroft, owner of Byerley Stud.

Of course, the Throsbys have already enjoyed incredible stallion success as the initial major shareholders of Australia’s current leading sire Encosta de Lago, who started his stud career in Victoria at a fee of $8,500.

A $900,000 purchase from the 2005 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock on behalf of Jonathan Munz’s Pinecliff Racing Syndicate, Sharkbite was a magnificent yearling that showed untapped ability as a two year-old, when he was undefeated.

Despite being troubled by persistent shin-soreness, the talented colt won his first two starts in brilliant fashion for Rodney Douglas as a late two year-old, before finishing second to champion three year-old Haradasun in the Listed MRC Vain Stakes over 1100 metres as a three year-old at just his third start in a race.

Placed twice more in Group Three company during the spring including a third to the Caulfield Guineas hero Wonderful World, Sharkbite was considered a colt of genuine Group One potential and as such was transferred to the stables of David Hayes.

Sadly, Sharkbite failed to find form for his new trainer in the autumn after suffering a back injury and was subsequently returned to Rodney Douglas with happy results all round.

Sharkbite won three of his next five starts for Douglas including a sizzling win over the straight 1200 metres at Flemington on Cup Day and a powerful victory in the Listed MRC Lord Stakes over 1700 metres at Caulfield and retires with the record of five wins and five placings from 23 starts with prizemoney of $292,000.

Sharkbite has a sensational stallion pedigree being from the Juddmonte Farms bred mare Back Pass (USA), a half-sister by Quest for Fame to Group Two winner Three Valleys from the family of freakishly good producer Hasili.

For those unfamiliar with Hasili, she is the Northern Hemisphere version of Eight Carat (GB) as the dam of an amazing five Group One winners in Banks Hill, Intercontinental, Heat Haze, Cacique and Champs Elysees, while her Group Two winning son Dansili is one of the best stallions in Europe.

“Redoute’s Choice is a champion stallion and everyone is looking to find the son that will be his successor and there is no reason it won’t be Sharkbite, instead of the other sons of Redoutes standing at four or five times his fee,” said Martin Hawcroft.

“After all he is a former boom two year-old, a stakes-winner and a $900,000 Inglis Easter yearling with a female line that is arguably the best of any Redoute’s Choice stallion at stud.

“Given the current economic climate, many breeders are opting for more conservative choices in their mating plans this spring and Sharkbite is one of the few stakes-winning sons of Redoute’s Choice available at a genuinely affordable fee, enabling breeders the best possible chance of making a satisfactory return on investment.

“Breeders are now more conscious of over-mating and to avoid that are sticking to tried and true formulas such as the requirement that the service fee not be more than 30 % of the value of the mare.

“Therefore, breeders with mares valued under $80,000 - $100,000 will find Sharkbite to be one of the few sons of Redoutes that satisfy this criteria, whereas using other sons of Redoutes standing at $25,000 or more will result in over-mating.

“Other breeders will simply appreciate that Sharkbite is a great punt at $7,700 and put the money saved in their pockets.”

Sharkbite stands at a fee of $7,700 with a discount for multiple bookings by arrangement with the stud.

For more information go to www.byerleystud.com.au, or contact Martin Hawcroft on 0419 777 663 or Stud Manager Kelvin Williams on 02 6547 4558 or email byerleystud@bigpond.com.au