Why under-rated sire Darci Brahma is so appealing to Hong Kong broodmare owners

Big in the Far East: Darci Brahma, pictured parading at The Oaks Stud in New Zealand, is having huge success in Hong Kong and Singapore. Photo: Trish Dunell

The progeny of ever-consistent New Zealand stallion Darci Brahma have had another quality season. The son of Danehill will finish second to  all-conquering Savabeel in the country's Centaine Award for global earnings, with his progeny winning in excess of $11 million for the season. 

Only Savabeel and shuttle stallion Iffraaj will have enjoyed better 2017-18 seasons domestically in New Zealand. 

Progeny of Darci Brahma, who stands at The Oaks Stud, recorded two G1 victories this season, with Hong Kong’s equal top-rated horse D B Pin victorious in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and the Shaune Ritchie-trained Devise taking out the G1 Haunui Farm WFA Group 1 Classic (1600m). 

“It was another really great season,” said Oaks Stud general manager Rick Williams. “We are very happy, he’s been a wonderfully consistent horse and probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves. 

“D B Pin’s Group 1 victory in Hong Kong was certainly a highlight this season, along with our very own Devise winning a Group 1 in New Zealand. D B Pin was ranked about the seventh equal highest-rated horse in the world after that win. His international rating was actually a point higher than Darci Brahma’s himself at his best.” 

Darci Brahma is once again leading the sires table in Singapore and is on track for a sixth title, while in Hong Kong he was the third leading sire by wins and his 3-year-old son Pick Number One was crowned Champion Griffin. 

“I don’t know what it is up there (in Asia),” Williams said. “They obviously stable well and cope with the environment. But up in Hong Kong he has been huge. To get third up there and have the Champion Griffin has been terrific. That has renewed interest from Hong Kong broodmare owners, who are going to send quite a few mares to him this year. 

“He’s done great, he’s rising 16-years-old now, so he’s got three or four good years left in him hopefully.” 

Purchased as a yearling by Te Akau’s David Ellis at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2004 Premier Sale for $1.1 million, Darci Brahma went on to win five G1s on his way to being crowned New Zealand Champion Two and Three-year-old, and Champion Sprinter for trainer Mark Walker. 

At stud, he has amassed a great strike rate of 70 per cent winners to runners, 6.5 per cent stakes winners to runners and has sired nine individual G1 winners. 

Darci Brahma's 2018 service fee will remain at $15,000 + GST.

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