Rich Hill Stud stallion Vadamos saw off a quality line-up to be crowned New Zealand’s Champion Second Season Sire.

The Monsun entire was part of a strong intake of stallions to the New Zealand market in 2017 and Rich Hill Stud Managing Director John Thompson has been pleased with the success his shuttle stallion has achieved.

“It was such a good intake of stallions that year with the likes of Tarzino, with his couple of Group One winners in Australia (Gypsy Goddess and Jungle Magnate), Tivaci, Turn Me Loose, Belardo, and Preferment to name a few,” Thompson said.

“It was one of the best intakes we have had for a few years. There were a lot of good Group One winners with good pedigrees amongst them.

“It is nice to see all of them putting some results on the board, particularly Vadamos leading the pack in New Zealand, it is very exciting.”

Vadamos’ flagbearer has been Group One performer La Crique who posted five wins and three placings from eight starts, including victories in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) before finishing runner-up to Asterix in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

“We don’t really know how good she is,” Thompson said.

“There are not many fillies that dominate the colts like she did in the Avondale Guineas and dominated the fillies in the Desert Gold Stakes.

“They (trainers Katrina and Simon Alexander) then decided to go the path of the Derby and you would have to say she was unlucky in that, she certainly didn’t disgrace herself.”

Connections of the rising four-year-old have plenty to look forward to in the spring, with La Crique holding nominations for several of Melbourne’s feature races, including the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m).

“I think she is back in work and they are happy with the way she has strengthened up,” Thompson said.

“It (spring) will be quite exciting. He has also got a few lightly raced horses coming through as well. They surprised a bit with their speed and precocity.”

Vadamos will return to Rich Hill Stud this year where he will stand for a fee of $15,000+GST.

“He started off at $15,000+GST and we dropped his fee last year just to keep the numbers up because we thought it could be a difficult year,” Thompson said.

“He is back at $15,000+GST and should be pretty popular at that.”