Commenced stud duties in New Zealand and Ireland in 2004. His oldest New Zealand progeny are now 5YO’s (scroll down for pics of leading progeny).
Spartacus’ progeny include:
STRAIT OF MEWSINA (05c, Grand Lodge, Track Barron). 4 wins-2 at 2-from 7¼f to 9f to 2010, US$212,523, €15,513, Hawthorne Derby, Gr.3, Keeneland Allowance, 3d Leopardstown Three Rock 2YO S., 4th Canterbury Come Summer S., L.
SPARE A FORTUNE (05g, Kaapstad, Sky Chase). 6 wins at 1400m, 1600m to 2010-11, NZ$144,712, Marton JC Metric Mile, Gr.3, Hawke's Bay Bluewater Hotel H., Stella Artois H., WRC Gib Living H., 2d Wanganui S., L, Hawke's Bay Moet & Chandon H., BOP RC Zest 2000 3YO H., 3d Levin RC Greyhound Racing NZ H., 4th Hawke's Bay Traderacks S., Gr.3.
BALMORAL CASTLE (07f, Highest Honor, Luthier). 3 wins from 1400m to 2400m to 2011, Mysore Million, L, Bangalore Oaks, L, 2d Hyderabad Golconda Derby, L, 3d Mysore One Thousand Guineas, L.
RASTIGNANO (05c, Lomitas, Risen Star). 7 wins-3 at 2-from 1600m to 2100m, €187,264, Milan Premio Campobello, L, Gran Premio d'Italia, L, Premio Castello Sforzesco, Rome Premio San Giuseppe, Milan Premio delle Incavezzature, Rome Premio Chiadina, 2d Milan Premio del Sempione, Premio Giuliano Moroni, 3d Milan Premio Merano, L, Rome Premio Villa Borghese, L, Milan Premio Racing Club Equidia, Rome Premio Lotar.
SMART ENOUGH (06f, Bigstone, Simply Great). 2 wins at 1600m, 1950m, Taby Swedish Open Mile, L.
ALL THE ACES (05g, Fabulous Dancer, Irish River). 3 wins-1 at 2-at 1¼m, 1½m, Newmarket Fred Archer S., L, 2d Chester Vase, Gr.3, Kempton September S., Gr.3, Newbury Aston Park S., L, 4th Royal Ascot King Edward VII S., Gr.2.
Hot Pursuit (07f, Deputy Governor, Grosvenor). Winner at 2100m in 2010-11, 2d ARC Championship S., Gr.2, 4th ARC Champagne S., L, Great Northern Guineas Prelude, L.
Undaunted Affair (06f, Cadeaux Genereux, Dayjur). Winner at 2, 3d Naas Swordlestown Stud Sprint S., Gr.3.
Spontaneous (05g, Grosvenor, Red Glow). 3 wins from 1600m to 2000m to 2010-11, NZ$76,225, A$95,430, MVRC Autocentro H., 2d Levin Classic, Gr.1, MRC Beaulivre H., Idolou H., 3d ARC Champagne S., L, MRC Taralye Foundation Cup H., ARC Lindauer Brut Cuvee H., VRC Roland Walker & David Webb H., Hawke's Bay Wine Country H., MVRC Legends After the Last H., BOP RC John Warren Insurance 3YO H.
Fyfetheknife (05g, Pompeii Court, Test Case). Winner at 1300m, 2d BOP RC Hills Haden Valuers 3YO H., 3d WRC Wakefield Challenge S., Gr.2, 4th ARC Eclipse S., Gr.3.
Oakwood (06f, Hector Protector, Dahar). Winner at 2, 2d Levin RC Ryder S., L, Foxton RC Castletown S., L.
Bright Spark (05g, Full and By, Bletchingly). 3 wins-2 at 2-at 1200m, 1300m, Matamata RC Waharoa Livestock 2YO H., Rotorua RC Carson Taylor Ford 3YO S., 2d ARC Great Northern Foal S., L, Waikato RC Wentwood Grange 3YO H., 4th Gore Guineas, L.
Gatamalata (08f, Alhaarth, Baillamont). Placed at 2 in 2010, 2d Curragh Balanchine S., L, Leopardstown Irish Stallion Farms 2YO S.
Maureen Dorothy (05f, Nashwan, Pharly). Placed at 2 & 3, NZ$191,775, 2d ARC Eclipse S., Gr.3, Karaka Million (R), L.
Spartica (05g, Kaapstad, Unfuwain). 2 wins at 1400m, 1600m to 2009-10, Taranaki RC Linepower 4YO H., 3d Counties RC Veterinary Associates Equine & Farm H., Matamata RC Magill Earl H.
El Pensador (07c, Bigstone, Astronef). 2 wins at 2150m, 2700m in 2010, Longchamp Prix de Clichy.
The Beckett (06f, Bigstone, Shirley Heights). Winner at 2, Avondale JC First Sovereign Trust 2YO S.
Scottish Mist (06g, Gold Brose, Bustino). 2 wins at 1400m in 2010-11, ARC Auckland Co-Op Taxis H., 2d Waikato RC Meat Warehouse H., 3d ARC Perfectly Ready H.
Su Fochile (06c, Environment Friend, Star Appeal). Winner at 1200m, Rome Premio Alea, 2d Rome Premio Raffaello, Premio Aernen, Premio Raimonda da Capua, 3d Rome Premio Melyno.
Kirkdouglas (06g, Groom Dancer, Vain Prince). 3 wins at 1200m, 1400m in 2009-10, WRC Te Akau Racing 3YO H.
Ballybit (06g, Grosvenor, Noble Bijou). 2 wins at 1400m, 1600m in 2009-10, ARC Darci Brahma H., 2d WRC ZM 2YO H., Marton JC Rural Bulk Spreaders 3YO H.
House Rebel (05f, Halling, Shareef Dancer). Winner at 1m, Curragh Roadbridge S.
Spartan - Quelle Surprise (H.K.) (05g, Vice Regal, Zephyr Bay). 2 wins at 1200m, Wanganui JC Keep it Hot 3YO H., 2d HKJC Midland Best Developer H., 3d HKJC Long Ke H.
Sea Prince (05g, Defensive Play, Western Symphony). 3 wins at 1200m, 1400m to 2010-11, HK$2,216,375, HKJC Wan Chai H., Lucky Star H., Queen's Road Central H., 2d HKJC Hankow H., Kwu Tung H., Centurion Restaurant & Bar H., 3d HKJC Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Anniversary Cup H., Science Faculty 70th Anniversary H.
Monica di Capua (05f, Trempolino, Robellino). 4 wins-1 at 2-from 1500m to 2500m, Deauville Prix de Putanges, Prix des Castillets, Prix de la Jetee, 2d Chantilly Prix de la Table d'Apremont, Deauville Prix de Beuvron en Auge, Prix de l'Epronniere, Prix de Beneauville.
How Much My Love (05g, Defensive Play, Ack Ack). 6 wins at 1400m, 1600m to 2009-10, A$112,880, BRC Origin Kebabs H., NSW Tatt's RC At Sea H., 2d STC Cool Ridge H., 3d QTC Chortle H.
Redavalle (05c, Royal Academy, Known Fact). 2 wins at 2100m, 2200m, Rome Premio Start, Premio Caspoggio, 2d Rome Premio Sea Bird, 3d Rome Premio Domenico Arnaldi.
Spartanicus (05g, Canny Lad, Tarlac). 5 wins from 1400m to 2000m to 2010-11, WRC Cadbury H., 3d Manawatu RC Summer Cup, WRC Sunlong Express H.
Rural Rebel (05g, Centaine, Western Bay). 3 wins at 1400m to 2009-10, Waikato RC Munns the Man's Store H., Marton JC ITM Rural H., 3d ARC Stella Artois H., GL Cooksley Tankard H., Taranaki RC Salt on the Waterfront H.
Valerius Maximus (08c, In the Wings, Rainbow Quest). Winner at 2 in 2010, 3d York 2YO S., Deauville Prix du Bois Bourdon, Maisons-Laffitte Prix d'Arcueil.
How Much My Love (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Price to Pay, by Defensive Play)
Trained by Danny Williams at Goulburn, How Much My Love has recorded six wins and three placings from his 14 starts. The gelding was an impressive winner at Randwick on New Year’s Day, winning the $40,000 At Sea Handicap, over 1600m. He followed with wins in both Canberra and Brisbane over 1400m, before a last start sixth on July 3rd in the Listed $175,000 SCTC Glasshouse Handicap won by Woorim, with Stephen McKee’s Mufasa finishing in 3rd place. Well supported in the betting, How Much My Love was a conspicuous last to leave the barriers at the jump and his effort in finishing sixth was considered meritable.
Spontaneous (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Solanto, by Grosvenor)
Robert Priscott’s Spontaneous placed 3rd in the Listed $55,000 Champagne Stakes, at Ellerslie as a juvenile. In stakes placing he became Spartacus’ third stakes performer from just 11 raceday starters in New Zealand. At three Spontaneous placed second behind Altered Image in the Gr.1 Levin Classic before transferring to the Melbourne stable of Mike Moroney from where he has proven himself a very capable city class performer.
Ballybit (06’ gelding. Spartacus ex Miss Grosvenor, by Grosvenor)
Among Spartacus’ promising progeny is the Allan Sharrock trained 3YO gelding Ballybit, a winner of two races and a runner in the $2.2 million Gr.1 New Zealand Derby. Sharrock has a big opinion of Ballybit and expects him to mature into a Cups horse at four and five years. Regarding the Derby run Sharrock’ had said prior to the race that the gelding needed a very firm surface to show his best, something which he did not get in the March feature. Well regarded as a trainer, Sharrock has shown his own high regard for the stock of Spartacus by purchasing two more of the sire’s yearlings at Karaka, including last years top priced colt – Lot 1078 from The Oaks Rory’s Jester mare Jester Flight (selling for $95,000).
Maureen Dorothy (05’ filly. Spartacus ex Avelina, by Nashwan)
The Aroha trainer Chris Smith came so very close to realizing his 12 month plan with Maureen Dorothy picking up a $172,000 stake for her running a close second in the 2008 Karaka Million race. His talented Spartacus’ filly missed the $560,000 first prize by finishing just a long neck behind Peter McKay’s colt Vincent Mangano. Maureen Dorothy had began her juvenile campaign back in October and had already stakes placed when second in the $75,000 Gr.3 ARC Eclipse Stakes won by Lady Alberton, with San Bernadino in third place.
Bright Spark (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Let’s Can Can, by Full and By)
Murray Bakers Spartacus colt Bright Spark became the sires’ fourth individual first crop stakes performer when running second to St Culpe in the $55,000 Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes as a 2YO. Bright Spark went into the listed race with a big reputation having won his two previous starts in impressive fashion. His effort to close within half a length from Paul Moroney’s highly touted St Culpe was full of merit, Bright Spark hitting the front early in the straight and fighting doggedly all the way to the line.
Fyfetheknife (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Fontana, by Pompei Court)
Richard Otto’s first crop Spartacus colt Fyfetheknife showed himself a potential star winning three trials impressively in the spring. Taken along with a view to contending the Karaka Million his summer efforts included a courageous 4th in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes, followed up with a close 3rd in the $100,000 Gr.2 Wakefield Stakes behind Captain Fantastic and Reuben Thorne.Though unplaced in the big Karaka Million race Otto was pleased with his colt’s effort. “We’ve pushed him along in order to qualify and he’s come along way in a short time,’ said Otto. Asked about the colts future prospects Otto replied, “He’s a smashing type with a big future.”Unfortunately Fyfetheknife was destroyed after a training accident incurred at three years.
Oakwood (06’ filly. Spartacus ex Guardiam Miss, by Hector Protector)
Oakwood looked good winning her debut in the Autumn of 2009, and then going on to place second in both the listed Castletown Stakes and the listed Ryder Stakes. Rated by trainer Richard Otto as an exciting Oaks prospect, the filly missed her chance for the New Zealand Oaks through an injury enforced spell. Put back into work in December the filly suffered a further injury and has been retired to stud.
Spartanicus (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Latin Lass, by Canny Lad)
The Karen Zimmerman trained Spartanicus made it a winning double when scoring over 1800m at Taranaki, before impressively taking out a 2000m race at Hawke’s Bay on New Years Day by 4½ lengths. Spartanicus showed early ability winning as a spring 3YO, and Zimmerman reports the 4YO gelding as now starting to mature and showing signs of developing into a “very nice stayer” as a 5YO.
Spartan (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Maharani, by Vice Regal)
Spartan was the winner of his two starts in New Zealand last year as a 3YO, before being sold to Hong Kong interests. His former trainer Paul Moroney rated the Spartacus gelding as “a very, very good horse,” and labelled him as potentially “right up to Group One class as a four and five year old.”
Sea Prince (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Gin Player, by Defensive Play)
Another impressive winner for Spartacus was the John Moore trained Hong Kong gelding Sea Prince. Ridden by top jockey Darren Beadman, Sea Prince scored a commanding win when taking out the HK$650,000 Class 4 HKJC Lucky Star Handicap on May 31st. Carrying 58kg Sea Prince’s winning margin was 0.8 lengths to second placed Laze Away, with a further six lengths back to the third placed Royal Domain. The winning style of Sea Prince prompted the commentator to suggest there will be plenty more wins for the son of Spartacus. Sea Prince was bred by the 2008 ‘NZ Breeder of the Year’ Scott Williams and is a half brother to the dual Group One winner Zarita and GR.2 Concord Handicap winner Run Like the Wind.
Caratacus (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Lihir, by Grosvenor)
The Graeme Rogerson trained Caratacus was a juvenile winner on debut before stepping up to stakes class at his next start in the listed Castletown Stakes at Foxton. The Spartacus colt showed his potential charging home late over the 1200m for a close-up 4th placing behind top-liners Altered Image, I Robot and Reuben Thorne.
From the Grosvenor mare Lihir, Caratacus was bred by Sir Patrick Hogan and sold from the 2007 Cambridge Stud premier draft for $155,000.
The Red Emperor (05’ gelding. Spartacus ex Princess Gaius, by Gaius) The Red Emperor was an impressive winner of the A$45,000 B&D Technologies Mile Handicap at Ballarat in November, and was a nose second in the A$70,000 MVRC Essendon Hyundai Handicap race over 2040m at Mooney Valley in January.
Cranbourne trainer Doug Harrison rates highly The Red Emperor and has taken a patient approach giving the 4YO gelding 16 starts, for three wins and seven placings. Harrison believes The Red Emperor has the makings of a very good horse and intends stepping him further in distance at his next campaign.