Group 1 Winner Pierata Relocated to Yulong

Less than six months away from his first runners hitting the track, Pierata will stand the 2023 breeding season at Yulong.

A city winner and group performer as a juvenile, Pierata was group 1-placed over a mile as a 3-year-old, before proving to be at his very best as a sprinter, taking out the 1,400-meter All Aged Stakes (G1) in 2019.

In a demonstration of his abundant speed, Pierata also won the Sydney Stakes (G3, 1,200m) in a quicker time than Redzel's The Everest (1,200m) victory over the same course and distance on the day.

The son of Pierro  landed the $1 million Redzel Stakes (1,300m) in late 2019 as he defeated Trekking by a length, before narrowly missing out on back-to-back All Aged Stakes when a short-head second to Tofane in 2020. He ended his race career with nine wins from 26 starts.

Pierata's first yearlings have made an excellent impression on buyers this year, starting with a bang at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale where they averaged $247,500, and sold for up to $800,000.

"Pierata finished outside the top five just twice in his career," Yulong's chief operation officer Sam Fairgray said.

"Few stallions these days have such complete racing campaigns as Pierata, and throughout his career he showed his incredible soundness, brilliance and raw talent—all qualities that put him on track for success as a stallion.

"To acquire him at this point in his career, just months away from his first runners, is incredibly exciting for both Yulong and the Victorian industry. We've seen how well-received his first yearlings were at the sales this year."

Pierata has been well-supported by the industry since his announcement at stud, first in the Hunter Valley for his debut season, covering 169 mares, then at Queensland-based Aquis Farm where he covered books of 143 and 139 mares.

"From a practical level, the investment made into his second- and third-year mares means the momentum will keep going over the next couple of years, and we're looking forward to planning matings for Pierata to some of our elite broodmares at Yulong."

Pierata becomes the fifth stallion to relocate from Aquis Farm this season, with Divine Prophet and Santos moving to Highview Stud in New Zealand, and Brave Smash and Dubious relocating to Hunter Valley-based studs Yarraman Park and Kitchwin Hills, respectively.