Aysar a superior sire prospect for Geisel Park

Friday, 12 May 2023 | Geisel Park has announced its impeccably-bred Group 1 stallion Aysar will stand for an introductory service fee of $8,800 (inc GST) this season.

Aysar is a son of Champion sire Deep Field from a half-sister to instant stud success Russian Revolution and he lived up to that blueblood pedigree with a Listed victory in the MVRC Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) in a career that also included a close second to Ole Kirk in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg has priced Aysar at an affordable fee for his first season at Myalup alongside Manhattan Rain ($8,250) and All American ($4,400).

Rigg seized the opportunity to secure Aysar when leading bloodstock agent John Chalmers advised him the 5yo was for sale following the Melbourne spring carnival earlier this season.

“He’s the best-credentialed sire prospect to cross my desk in the last 10 years,” Chalmers explained.  “I feel most fortunate to have been able to secure a horse of his quality to stand in Western Australia.”

Aysar (pictured) is a half-brother to the highly-regarded sprinter Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) who completed a Group 1 double in 2021 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and 2022 VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.  He retired last year and covered over 200 mares at a $110,000 service fee in his first book at Coolmore Stud.

Aysar was originally purchased by world-renown bloodstock agent Angus Gold at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on behalf of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Stud for $260,000.

Following the sad passing of the Sheikh, a syndicate headed by Leneva Park acquired the horse.  “Physically, Aysar is a superior type,” Leneva Park’s Mick Sharkie said.  “He was always the pick of the yard being such a grouse sort.”

Lindsay Park’s Ben Hayes explained Aysar was a pleasure to train being sound and clean-winded.  “He was blessed with natural speed and won a 2yo race at Sandown.  As a spring 3yo, he was a Group 1 performer and trained on to win the Chautauqua Stakes as a 5yo this season.”

Aysar represents a rare opportunity on all fronts and will be a perfect outcross for the majority of mares in Western Australia.

Manhattan Rain (Encosta de Lago) covered a top-class book of mares in his first season at Geisel Park last year and his progeny have rubber-stamped that response with another outstanding season at home, interstate and internationally.

Man Crush has led the charge in the west with an on-pace victory in the RL Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m) in February.  “He had to go forward to make best use of his speed and strength,” trainer Luke Fernie said.  “He’s super tough and runs a great race every time even though he never draws a barrier.”

Manhattan Rain gelding Jigsaw is the most-improved sprinter in Victoria this season with a black-type rout in the LR Doveton Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield, LR Christmas Stakes (1100m) at Sandown and G2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

He bowed out for a winter spell after winning the LR Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington last month and will be set for a Group 1 campaign in the spring.  “I’m incredibly proud of Jigsaw,” trainer Cindy Alderton said.  “He’s put together four-in-a-row which is a phenomenal effort.  He believes he’s a good horse and he’s racing like a good horse.”

Manhattan Rain’s international Stakes winners include Manhattan Street (NZ), Excelling (Singapore), Whiskey Baron (South Africa) and Hong Kong has been another successful jurisdiction for him this season.

Packing Treadmill has already completed a Sha Tin hat-trick for trainer Francis Lui and Happy Golf can also bring up a treble for trainer Frankie Lor at Sha Tin this Saturday.

All American is value-plus at a $4,400 fee this season for a stallion credited with 15 Stakes performers headed by Group 1 classic winners Yankee Rose and Dark Dream.  And his progeny race on with horses the calibre of Looks Like Elvis who topped a million dollars as a 7yo winning the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) and VRC Winter Championship (1400m) at Flemington last season.

The winners keep coming locally with Mack Mack at Ascot last week and promising 3yo filly Duchess of Gossip who destroyed her rivals in a Northam maiden on Wednesday.

All American is also emerging as a superior broodmare sire at home and abroad.  He’s the damsire of Liberty Island (Jpn) who won the Group 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (1600m) last December and is a $1.40 pre-post favourite for the Group 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) in Tokyo on May 21.  He’s also the damsire of Dark Destroyer, a trans-Tasman winner of a Group 1 Tarzino Trophy in New Zealand and Group 3 Rough Habit Plate in Brisbane.

For booking or further details, contact Geisel Park Stud Manager Conor Dunlop on 0447 434 735 / geiselpark@bigpond.com – John Chalmers (0418 948 604) – Eddie Rigg (0418 942 304).