News

Woodside Park Grabs The Tycoon

16th Apr 2013

Woodside Park - Story by Danny Power - Sunday, 14 April 2013

It wasn’t a surprise that Written Tycoon will return to Victoria after Queensland breeders didn’t quite warm to the stallion last season when moved to be “top dog” in Eliza Park’s new northern venture writes ‘The Breed’s‘ Danny Power.

However, what is a surprise is that Woodside Park, Tylden, will stand the stallion after buying out Eliza Park’s equity in the syndicate.

It’s good news for Woodside Park and great news for Victorian breeders.

Written Tycoon stood five seasons at Eliza Park’s Kerrie property, just north of Melbourne, before he was moved to Queensland. In 2010-11, he was awarded the title of Champion Australian First-Season Sire that saw him cover 198 mares in 2010 and 152 in 2011. Last year, he covered only 107 mares, at a fee of $15,400.

What might have been good for Eliza Park wasn’t good for many Victorian breeders, who were disappointed to loose access to the son of Iglesia last year.

I believe that Written Tycoon’s fee at Woodside Park will be a reduction on the Queensland fee, around the $12,500 mark, although no official announcement has been made.

I also understand the syndicate that owns the stallion is not relocating the horse because of any possible sale of Eliza Park—expressions of interest in the entire Eliza Park operation closes on April 26, although, according to owner Lee Fleming, it will be some weeks before any possible sale could be finalised.

Written Tycoon (ch h 2002, Iglesia-Party Miss, by Kenmare (FR)) has sired three Stakes winners, including the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint winner Howmuchdoyouloveme and Group 3 Gunsynd Classic winner Trump.

The handsome chestnut has sired 60 winners from 162 named foals (99 runners). His progeny also includes Masthead (3rd G1 Blue Diamond, 4th G1 Golden Slipper) and Alezan Thunder (3rd Magic Millions 2YO Classic) and the unbeaten Tasmanian Stakes winner Grand Tycoon.

Woodside Park has had a change in administration at the top. Owner Peter Rowsthorn has handed over the running of the business to his son Mark, who has the respected Murray Tillett as his bloodstock manager.

The business has closed its racing arm, Wadham Park, and former general manager and trainer Dale Sutton has moved on. Mark Rowsthorn has announced he will be concentrating on the breeding side, which in many ways has been part-financing the racing business in recent times.

The palatial Woodside Park farm started with Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow (Daylami) and Caulfield Guineas hero Econsul (Pins) as resident stallions and stood Foreplay (Danehill) for two seasons before he relocated to Wattle Grove Stud, NSW, last year.

Written Tycoon is the perfect stallion to relaunch Woodside Park as a commercial farm, according to Tillett. “A lot of Victorian breeders were disappointed he moved to Queensland last year. We feel he is the right horse for Victoria and we are excited to have him at Woodside Park,” he said.