Cambridge Stud has announced its stallion line-up for the 2022 breeding season, with Group One winner Sword of State joining the respected Waikato nursery’s stallion roster.

Headlining the farm’s roster is Almanzor, whose service fee has risen to $50,000 + GST.

The fee increase is in line with the accomplishments of his first Southern Hemisphere two-year-olds in 2021-22, with his flagship representative Dynastic successful in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and was subsequently runner-up in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m).

Almanzor has also been represented by the multiple Group performer Andalus and smart debut winners Dimaggio and Trav, while Virtuous Circle and Roznamla have been successful across the Tasman.

His first crop has earned more than $700,000 to date to assure him freshman sire honours.

“We have given careful consideration to our stallion fees for 2022, in relation to our fellow breeders and the New Zealand industry,” Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said.

“We are encouraged by the resilience of the yearling market at Karaka - closed borders for the second consecutive year making life difficult for everybody, but the average lifting by nearly 20 percent in Book 1 was something of an achievement. 

“In respect of the Cambridge Stud stallions, we are very pleased with the Australasian yearling market endorsing Almanzor for the second year, buying up with confidence across the sales, suggesting that our main customers are happy with their stock.”

The Group One-winning son of Wootton Bassett, who served a full book in 2021, has also been a crowd-puller in the sale ring with his yearlings selling for up to A$800,000 at auction.

Plumptre is excited to welcome Sword of State to the farm, with the son of Snitzel set for a Queensland winter carnival campaign before the curtain comes down on his highly successful career. 

The colt was the dominant juvenile last season to earn champion two-year-old honours following runaway victories in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m).

The son of the Group-performed Encosta De Lago mare In The Vanguard returned this season to bolt away with the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at the expense of subsequent dual Group One winner Imperatriz.

He then gave weight and a beating to the older horses, including the multiple Group winner Babylon Berlin, in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m). 

“Sword of State’s fee will be set after a short campaign in Brisbane, which commences with the Gold Coast Guineas (Gr.3, 1200m) on May 7,” Plumptre said.

“If he performs well that day, he will take his chance in the Kingsford-Smith Cup (Gr.1, 1300m) on May 28 at Eagle Farm. He will not run in either if the tracks are rain affected.” 

Like Almanzor, multiple Group One-winning sprinter Hello Youmzain will return later this year from his Northern Hemisphere base at Haras d’Etreham and his second season fee will remain at $30,000   after covering a full book in his debut year at Cambridge Stud.

“The quality of his first book was high with some exciting mares from breeders and his shareholders, not to mention Cambridge Stud stock,” Plumptre said.

“His first foals have arrived in France and the Haras d’Etreham team are delighted with them. The exploits of Kodiac’s sons at stud are now a big talking point in Europe, which is very positive for our future with him.”

Associate sire Embellish’s fee will also remain at $4000 + GST and his first crops have been well-received at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

His progeny has been purchased by respected buyers David Ellis, Marcus Corban Bloodstock, The Robt Dawe Agency and trainers Peter Moody, Stephen Marsh and Roger James and Robert Wellwood.

Embellish was more popular than ever last season when he served 158 mares with his first two-year-olds to be seen out next season.

“Embellish embarks on his fourth year at stud with strong representation on the ground and a combined number of around 180 yearlings and weanlings to boost his prospects,” Plumptre said.

“With another large book last year, he will have numbers and Cambridge Stud have retained a number to race ourselves. His pedigree and his signature win in the NZ 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) make him compelling currency hailing as he does from the strongest male line in the New Zealand Stud Book.”

All stallion fees are payment on live foal terms.