The New Zealand-bred Tarzino will be the first and one of the very best sons of the Group One producer Tavistock to retire to stud when he returns to his homeland to begin the second phase of his career.
Last season’s champion Australian three-year-old colt will stand his first season in 2017 at Gerry Harvey’s Westbury Stud at Karaka.
Tarzino won four of his 14 starts for Caulfield trainer Mick Price with his career highlights Group One victories in the VRC Derby and the Rosehill Guineas. He was also a close second in the Australian Guineas.
“Group One form in Australia has become a critical aspect in today’s market place and to be competitive in the top echelon of races across Australia, it has become imperative that horses possess a serious turn of foot,” Westbury Stud general manager Russell Warwick said.
“This was a significant drawcard for us when considering Tarzino as a stallion prospect. He left no doubt as to his ability to finish his races off with outstanding sectionals at the highest level emphasising his excellent turn of foot.”
Rosemont Stud purchased a 30 per cent interest in Tarzino after his gallant run for second in the Australian Guineas and they retained their interest in the horse.
The Victorian operation will be sending thirty mares to the stallion, many of which have been sourced from Europe over the past six months.
Tarzino hails from a pedigree that New Zealand breeders are familiar with, being by Cambridge Stud’s headline act Tavistock, who has now sired three Derby winners (Tarzino, Werther and Tavago) and who took out his first sire’s title in Hong Kong in 2016.
He is out of the Zabeel mare Zarzino, a half-sister to the Group One-winning juvenile Kindacross and a sister to Gr.2 Perth Cup winner Respect and to the Group One-placed Kind Return.
His third dam Vice Reine, the mother of the multiple Group One winner Sky Chase who sired the mighty Saintly, is a half-sister to high class racehorse and sire Vice Regal and the top class sprinter Valencia, being out of the Oaks winner Kind Regards.
Tarzino will stand at $15,000 + GST alongside Swiss Ace, Reliable Man, Redwood, Postponed and El Roca.
