Exciting Group producing first season sire, Santos, will relocate from Aquis Farm in Queensland to Highview Stud in New Zealand.

A son of Champion Sire I Am Invincible, Santos is already the sire of high-class New Zealand two-year-old filly Ulanova. A brilliant winner on debut before dominating the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) – by a massive 7 lengths. The Stephen Marsh-trained filly then rounded out her preparation finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) last month, and is likely to be promoted to the winner after first past the post Tokyo Tycoon subsequently returned a post-race positive result to meloxicam.

“Santos has kicked off his career in fantastic fashion and has a potential Group One winner on his hands in the brilliantly fast Ulanova. There is immeasurable upside with a stallion of his looks and credentials,” said Aquis Stallions Director of Sales, Jonathan Davies.

“We are incredibly excited for the future of Santos and know he is perfectly placed in the New Zealand market at Highview Stud.

“The Gillovic family flew to Queensland recently to inspect Santos and as anticipated they were blown away by his good looks, strength and athleticism. They are as passionate about Santos and his future success as we are.”

Located in the heart of the Waikato region, the Gillovic family’s Highview Stud has been a major force in New Zealand racing and breeding since the 1980s.

“We have been looking for a son of I Am Invincible to stand in New Zealand for a few years and with the success of Ulanova we decided to approach the team at Aquis Stallions and we are absolutely delighted we could secure Santos for duties at Highview. He’s an incredibly exciting addition to the New Zealand breeding industry,” said Highview Stud’s Brent Gillovic.

“When my son Kurtis and I inspected Santos, we were really taken by him as an individual. He has a huge masculine presence, terrific conformation and as impressive a type as you could hope to see.

“Highview Stud have produced some 90 stakes winners and I can’t think of a farm better placed to take Santos to the next step and beyond. With the commitment of Aquis Stallions management to continually act in the best interest of shareholders and supporters, we are confident that Highview Stud is the right place for Santos,” Davies said.

Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Santos finished third in the Listed Breeders Plate (1000m) on debut before going on to win the Gr.2 Skyline Stakes (1200m).

Retired to stud in 2019, Santos had 83 live foals in his first crop which are now two-year-olds.

A fee for Santos will be released by Highview Stud at a later date.