The Hawke’s Bay breeding industry has been bolstered by the announcement that Sneaking To Win, a well-bred son of Snitzel, will commence stud duties for local breeders Steve Brougham and Jenni Tomlins this season.

The imposing chestnut raced on three occasions and showed good ability for Peter and Paul Snowden, including a second placing behind subsequent Gr.3 Up & Coming Stakes (1300m) winner Master Ash.

A $450,000 yearling, Sneaking To Win’s career was curtailed by a cyst and subsequent complications following an operation.

A son of champion stallion Snitzel, Sneaking To Win is out of the three-win Grand Lodge mare Disguise and he is a half-brother to four-time Group One winning mare Appearance and stakes winning galloper Mascareri, both by Commands.

Sneaking to Win will stand his first season in Hawke’s Bay for a fee of $1,000 plus GST including a non refundable $100 usage fee and Live Foal Guarantee.

A small number of lifetime breeding rights are available.

“We are so excited to be able to give breeders access to a horse of this quality at a price that’s achievable even in the difficult economic times we face,” Tomlins said.

“Steve and I never had an ambition to own a stallion but when Sneaking to Win came along it was an outstanding opportunity and we jumped at the chance to buy him.

“I had a specific wishlist for a stallion and I didn’t think I would ever be able to achieve everything I wanted but Sneaking To Win met every criteria and then some.

“Peter Snowden purchased him out of the Magic Millions Sale and he has a wonderful eye for horses. Breeders at all levels first and foremost need a stunning type of horse to ensure saleability. We also wanted a horse who had lots of ability and natural speed.”

A connection with pre-trainer Joanna Dejewski at Wild Oaks in New South Wales, who spoke in glowing terms of the son of Snitzel, gave Tomlins some insight into Sneaking to Win’s ability.

“He stood out amongst the best of his generation that we had here,” Dejewski said.

“That included Golden Slipper (Gr.1, 1200m) winner Estihjaab, and stakes winner’s Eawase, Irukandji, Setsuna and Santos.

“It was such a shame that bad luck prevented him from showing his undoubted ability.”

A botched operation to remove a cyst left Sneaking To Win with damage to his larynx and this was compounded by a life threatening infection, with owners Penny and Trevor Stuckey electing to retire the talented colt.

A long time pedigree aficionado Tomlins is enthusiastic about Sneaking to Win’s stallion credentials when crossed with New Zealand broodmares.

“He is by a breed shaping sire in Snitzel out of a top producing mare in Disguise, so he lacks nothing on the score of maternal strength,” Tomlins said.

“His half-sister Appearance was a Champion Sprinter in Australia and a multiple Group One winner. His unraced half-sister Black Prada is the dam of promising More than Ready juvenile Saffiano from the Chris Waller stable, so there is plenty happening in the family.”

Sneaking to Win’s connections managed to get him into New Zealand just before lockdown and are suitably impressed with their new charge.

“He’s such a beautiful, correct fellow and he has a marvellous attitude to life. He’s a really sweet natured and intelligent horse which I hope he leaves in his progeny. Its so important to have tractable, trainable types that are good to handle. He hardly turns a hair at everything new going on around him,” Tomlins said.

Sneaking To Win will stand at Fred Pratt’s property in Hastings and is accessible on a walk-in basis. Enquiries can be made through Jenni Tomlins at [email protected] or mobile 021 232 9359.