Valiant Stud

by Renée Geelen

Fergal Connolly brings plenty of experience to his new venture, having spent the past five years as Assistant Stud Manager at Segenhoe Stud. Their debut draft at Magic Millions consists of fifteen yearlings by a wide range of exciting stallions.

Thurlow

What can buyers expect from your 2019 MMGC draft?

A well prepared and educated draft of precocious yearlings that could be seen in the early two year-old races next season. We have a diverse group of stallions which should appeal to a range of buyers. Valiant is an independent sales company, meaning that all our yearlings are owned by clients, and we strive to achieve the best results possible for our clients at sale. Valiant Stud would like to thank all our clients for their support thus far, and we look forward to representing them to the best of our ability at upcoming sales.

Buyers are sure to be tempted by our Snitzel filly from Gr.1 placed winner Sasa. Sasa (Encosta de Lago) is a daughter of Gr.3 winning Zabeel mare Zatella. Two yearlings by up and coming Gr.1 sire So You Think include a half-brother to this season’s two year-old stakes winner Unite And Conquer, out of winning mare Maglissa, herself a daughter of group winner Danglissa. The other So You Think in the Valiant draft is a half-sister to this season’s stakes placed Rainbow Girl, out of winning mare Free Spirited who is a three-quarter sister to group winner King of Danes.

A Lonhro filly from stakes placed Quest for Peace is a good buying opportunity with a strong American pedigree to give her residual value. Not a Single Doubt fillies are popular, and Valiant has a filly out of Lonoree on offer in 2019. A three-quarter-sister to Gr.1 Secret Agenda, this filly is the third foal of Lonhro mare Lonoree, a daughter of Gr.1 winner Euphoria, and a half-sister to stakes winner Fleet.

LAUNCHED THIS YEAR, VALIANT STUD WILL BRING THEIR DEBUT DRAFT TO MAGIC MILLIONS GOLD COAST IN 2019. OPERATED BY FERGAL CONNOLLY, VALIANT STUD IS BASED IN THE HEART OF THE HUNTER VALLEY NESTLED BETWEEN NEWGATE AND DARLEY.

A filly that has two year-old written all over her pedigree is the Written Tycoon from two year-old winner Rovigo (Choisir), from the family of Snippet’s Girl, while Zoustar is kicking goals with his youngsters, and Valiant has a filly out of Gr.3 winner Thurlow on offer.

Proven sire Street Boss is represented here with a half-sister to Gr.3 winner Galaxy Pegasus, out of winning mare Medician Star form the Storm Cat family. Tough Gr.3 winner (of eight races) Beirut (Lonhro) has her first foal, by Magnus, for sale with Valiant’s draft, and this is a great opportunity to buy into the strong Leica family. A colt by Nicconi is the second foal of winning mare Was Meant To Be, from the family of Sovereign Kitty and this season’s improving galloper Hinchinlove.

Pierro is emerging as a Gr.1 sire, and Valiant will present a filly out of Tales of Lilakyn, an unraced daughter of stakes winner Lilakyn, herself a half-sister to Gr.1 winner Rock ‘n’ Pop, and out of Gr.1 winner Popsy. Dundeel’s oldest crop are three year-olds, and Valiant will offer a colt from Mel’s Pocket, a Redoute’s Choice mare who is a half-sister to stakes winner Ain’t Here. Zebedee’s juveniles have shown plenty in Europe, and now his first Australian crop are two year-olds. Valiant’s yearling colt from Bodacious Harmony, who is out of Gr.1 winner La Volta, is closely related to Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss.

Gr.1 sprinter Brazen Beau’s first crop are two year-olds, and his yearling filly out of winning mare Flying Wedgetail is superbly bred. Her dam is a half-sibling to four stakes winners – Eagle Way, Assertive Eagle, Impressive Eagle, and Soaressa (dam of Thermal Current). Press Statement has his first yearlings at 2019 Magic Millions with Valiant presenting a filly from winning mare Meridian, a daughter of group winner Zanna.

Fergal Connolly

When you’re not working how do you like to spend your time?

I love to watch rugby union. It doesn’t matter who is playing as long as it’s a good game.

What are you reading currently?

Their Turf; America’s Horsey Set & Its Princely Dynasties by Bernard Livingstone. A good friend in the industry lent it to me, and it’s one of the most interesting reads about the horse industry. It’s about the American tycoons and their money, including their parties – the extravagant and over the top – such as one where all the guests rode horses and waiters served their dinner as they rode.

What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a kid?

Initially, I thought I’d get into banking or accounting. We always had horses at home, and after school I pursued a career in physiotherapy. The love of the horse won out in the end.

If you could learn to do anything new, what would it be?

Valiant Stud is a new business, so anything that will set me apart from other vendors. I’m always looking to learn, and to keep working towards finding our niche in this industry.

2019 DRAFT

42 Lonhro (AUS) - Quest for Peace (AUS)

94 Snitzel (AUS) - Sasa (AUS)

205 Pierro (AUS) - Tales of Lilakyn (AUS)

228 Zoustar (AUS) - Thurlow (AUS)

280 Nicconi (AUS) - Was Meant to Be (AUS)

393 Magnus (AUS) - Beirut (AUS)

410 Zebedee (GB) - Bodacious Harmony (AUS)

587 Brazen Beau (AUS) - Flying Wedgetail (AUS)

599 So You Think (NZ) - Free Spirited (AUS)

754 Not a Single Doubt (AUS) - Lonoree (AUS)

776 So You Think (NZ) - Maglissa (AUS)

788 Street Boss (USA) - Medician Star (AUS)

789 Dundeel (NZ) - Mel’s Pocket (AUS)

1032 Press Statement (AUS) - Meridian (AUS)

1075 Written Tycoon (AUS) - Rovigo (AUS)

Fergal Connolly 0428 783 717 fergal@valiantstud.com.au