NZ HARNESS NEWS
Expectations are high ahead of Lazarus beginning his stud career in North America.
The recently-retired New Zealand stallion is undergoing regulation vet tests ahead of him standing his first season at stud at Deo Volente Farms in New Jersey.
Deo Volente Farms chief executive officer, Mike Gulotta, said there was an air of excitement at the stud ahead of Lazarus’ arrival.
“We are extremely excited.
“I think he is going to do very well. I think he will be a super star in the breeding shed.”
Once cleared, the Bettor’s Delight-Bethany entire will wait out the North American winter before beginning his breeding career with a stud fee of $US10,000 in February.
Lazarus had a rollercoaster-like race career in North America.
He hit big heights with wins in the Dan Patch and the Hoosier Pacing Derby.
His ultimate low came when he dropped out of McWicked’s Breeders Crown before it was revealed he had a lung infection.
Gulotta believes Lazarus has done enough to win the respect of North American breeders.
“He came here to race under fairly challenging conditions; it was his winter and our summer and he did pretty well.
“I think you can’t help but respect him, he won two major stake races here.
“He was parked every step of the way and ran 1.46.6 under less than ideal conditions for him.
“So, yes, I think he has gained quite a bit of respect, you can’t help but respect the horse.”
Gulotta is expecting that respect to result in strong stud interest in Lazarus.
North American lifetime services are being advertised for sale with a US$50,000 price tag and breeders have already started purchasing them.
“Based on share sales to date, I fully expect the horse to have a full book.
“We are limited to 140 mares here in the US.
“I would be surprised if he wasn’t at that number.
“I think he is going to be well received.”
Lazarus has been priced at the upper-middle end of the stud market.
His fee is well below that of boom rookie sire Captaintreacherous, who stands for US$25,000.
Emerging sire Sweet Lou stand in North America for $US12,500.
Where Lazarus will stand at stud in the Southern hemisphere and at what stud fee are unknown.
Australasian studs have largely stayed tight-lipped on the matter.
Lazarus would not be expected to fly back to the Southern Hemisphere for his stud duties until August.
That should give Australasian plenty of time to fight out the rights to secure his services.
- NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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