A message from Swettenham’s Nominations & Bloodstock Manager Marcus Heritage:
I am pleased to report DIEGO VELAZQUEZ has not only been impressing us on farm with his lovely nature and professionalism in the breeding barn, but some of the countries best breeders and bloodstock advisors have been singing his praises since he made a lasting first impression.
Interestingly, renowned bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills and top class breeder Toby Liston left the same comment – “He (Diego Velazquez) reminded me very much of a young Toronado.”
It certainly did not come as a surprise, as I was of the same view – after all, their profiles are incredibly similar.
Both Group 1 Winners over 1600m
Both G2 winners or better at 2, 3 & 4
Both from the Sadler’s Wells sireline
Both out of 2yo winners – noting Diego takes an edge here, as his dam Sweepstake was a fast Stakes winner over 1000m.
However it was after seeing him in the flesh that the following comments were made;
“On inspecting Diego Velazquez last week, he reminded me very much of a young Toronado making his debut at stud.
He has the same shape and quality about him. He looks like a horse that will really suit the Australian mare population physically to my eye.”
– Sheamus Mills, Bloodstock Agent
“It’s been no secret of my love for Toronado, he was a gift at $20,000 and has been very good to a lot of breeders. We love that he is a strong Australian looking stallion that leaves beautiful foals.
When we inspected Diego – He reminded us of a younger Toronado, same shape, wonderful movement, the best hip and a lovely nature – the perfect horse to import.
We have adjusted and sent him some more mares.
– Toby Liston, Three Bridges Thoroughbreds
So that begs the question, what type of mares work best with Toronado?
Diego Velazquez and Toronado should suit a very similar type of mare – and one of Toronado’s best traits is his ability to produce good racehorses from a wide range of bloodlines.
Toronado has been prolific with Danehill line mares.
While Toronado is a complete Danehill outcross, Diego Velazquez has Danehill present via a female (Sire of Frankel’s dam Kind) – so breeders can create a highly desirable sex balanced cross by breeding mares from the Danehill sireline. Diego’s sire Frankel has produced 13% Stakes winners to runners with mares from the Danehill sireline.
Toronado has produced Stakes winners with daughters of Fastnet Rock, Exceed And Excel, Redoute’s Choice, Hinchinbrook, Dansili, Danehill Dancer, Commands and many more Danehill-line broodmare sires.
Another potent nick for Toronado is the Green Desert line, producing G1 winners Masked Crusader, Victor the Winner & Tribhuvan.
Broodmare sires from the Green Desert line include I Am Invincible, Hellbent, Brazen Beau, Shalaa, Kingman, Territories, Royal Meeting, I Am Immortal and Tassort.
Toronado also produced G1 winner Mariamia out of an Encosta De Lago mare, while his G1 winner Masked Crusader’s 2nd damsire is Encosta De Lago.
Northern Meteor, Rubick, Zoustar, Needs Further, Zousain, Deep Field, Shooting To Win and Cosmic Force mares are all suitable options for Diego Velazquez.
Diego Velazquez stands for an introductory fee of $27,500 inc GST with live foal terms.
Please let me know if you think your mare would suit Diego Velazquez this season.
Marcus Heritage
marcus@swettenham.com.au
0429 632 397