Ole Kirk tops bolstered Vinery roster

Ole Kirk will headline Vinery Stud’s newly strengthened 2026 stallion roster, standing at an increased fee of $110,000, leading a powerful line‑up reshaped by the consolidation of the former Kia Ora stallions into the Hunter Valley operation.

Having sired more first‑crop stakes‑winning two‑year‑olds than any of the past 10 champion first-season sires, Ole Kirk is now firmly entrenched among the leading second‑season sires by stakes winners, striking at 6.5 per cent stakes-winners-to-runners, headlined by Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Ole Dancer.

Vinery’s Adam White said the stallion’s rise has underlined his importance to the domestic breeding industry, along with contemporary Farnan, who joins from Kia Ora at the same $77,000 fee he stood at last year.

“Both Ole Kirk and Farnan continue to demonstrate they are two young stallions on the rise,” White said.

“They’ve covered their strongest books yet and are set to prove themselves as vital stallions to our industry going forward.”

Farnan now leads the second season sires’ table by winners and sits second on earnings, trailing the leader by just $35,000.

“As well as his exceptional potency as a juvenile influence, Farnan is showing he will also have genuine range,” White said.

All Too Hard continues to deliver elite results and will remain at $27,500 following another standout season. The proven sire produced Black Opal Stakes winner Music Time, who went on to finish third in the Golden Slipper, along with explosive Listed Talindert Stakes winner Hard Kick.

All Too Hard has now sired a Group 1 winner in every season since 2019/20 and covered 154 mares in 2025, his largest book since 2020.

“If he wasn’t already regarded as one of the best value stallions in the country, he’s certainly confirmed it this season,” White said.

Sharing the $27,500 fee is the exciting new arrival Tropicus, the fastest and highest‑rated sprinting son of Too Darn Hot. A Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner carrying the heaviest weight since 1973, Tropicus recorded the highest rating for the race in a decade and offers breeders a potent speed‑pedigree blend.

“He offers access to an exceptional sire line and profiles as a horse capable of producing early runners,” said White.

Exceedance, who has had three group winners this season and averaging $195,000 for his yearlings. will stand for $22,000, while regally bred Hawaii Five Oh, a son of I Am Invincible, will stand at $16,500 after strong support across his first two seasons.

Value remains a key theme at the lower end of the roster, with Star Turn ($11,000) and Captivant ($11,000) providing proven and emerging options respectively, while breed‑to‑race stalwart Headwater rounds out the roster at $5500.

“There is truly something for everyone at every level,” White said. “We’re delighted with the line‑up and excited to see what the future holds for 2026.”