Contributer, Australian Champion Middle Distance Horse of 2015, and Authorized’s G1-winning son Complacent will join the Darley roster in New Zealand, standing at Mapperley Stud in Waikato.
Contributer joined the Godolphin team from the UK in 2014 and wasted little time in opening his southern hemisphere account, winning the G3 Coongy Handicap at Caulfield on his first start for his new trainer. However, it was during the autumn of 2015 when his true class was revealed with a first-up win over 1400m in the G2 Apollo Stakes, followed by consecutive wins at G1 level in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) and Ranvet Stakes (2000m). His outstanding performances earned him the title of Champion Middle Distance Horse of the Year.
Complacent was the brilliant winner of the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick in 2013. He finished a fine second in the G1 VRC Derby before being sidelined for nearly two years with a tendon injury. He made a remarkable return to racing in the spring of 2015, winning the G2 Chelmsford Stakes where he outclassed an elite field that included multiple G1 winner Kermadec. He also landed the G3 Craven Plate that season.
“The Darley stallions have always been well supported by New Zealand breeders in Australia and we have strong relationships with most of the key players over there,” said Godolphin’s Managing Director Henry Plumptre.
“However, we are confident that the New Zealand domestic market has established a solid base for the future and we are placing these exciting horses over there to be part of that success”.
Mapperley Stud owner Simms Davison said, "We are thrilled to be going into business with Darley in both of these tremendously talented racehorses.”
“The farm had huge success with the progeny of High Chaparral with both So You Think and Dundeel being raised and grazed at Mapperley. I see no reason why the success we had with High Chaparral will not continue with his Champion son Contributer. He is a wonderful-moving horse with great presence. I am really excited about showing him to breeders when he arrives at Mapperley.”
“Complacent is a very exciting G1-winning stallion who, due to injury, never reached his full potential. Breeders will get real value from such a talented, good-looking Australian athlete. The support we have received from many of New Zealand's top breeders has been both fantastic and very encouraging.”
Plans to syndicate Contributer among New Zealand breeders are underway and enquiries should be directed to Simms Davison at Mapperley Stud or Alastair Pulford, Darley Stallion’s Head of Sales in Australia.
