Swettenham secures sprint star

Swettenham Stud is delighted to announce they have purchased a major interest in star sprinter Kaphero, adding further strength to an already imposing stallion roster at the Nagambie property in North East Victoria. A top class performer throughout his career, the Group winner Kaphero will race on through the spring and autumn before preparing to serve his first book of mares in 2009.Swettenham Stud's Adam Sangster said he was thrilled to be able to purchase the Danzero sprinter. "It's great to know that Kaphero is coming back to Swettenham," Sangster said. "We bred him from one of our most successful families. Swettenham Stud has purchased three quarters of Kaphero, while his long time owners will retain the other quarter for his future stud duties."Before the speed sensation retires to stud there are more scores for him to settle on the track."He will be running in the Schillaci Stakes Group 2 at Caulfield next and then go out for a break before possible runs in the Group 1 sprints in the Autumn (Lightning Stakes & Oakleigh Plate)," Sangster commented.A top ten sale yearling at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast, Kaphero is still the fourth highest priced Danzero yearling colt ever sold in Australia and New Zealand at $340,000. "As a yearling he was a real stand out; a very athletic type”. Sangster said “He looked a ready made racehorse. To this day he is still one of the nicest yearlings we've bred in Australia."It didn't take Kaphero long to make an impact on the track.As a two-year-old he won three races including the Listed Blue Diamond Preview over 1000m in a staggeringly quick 55.82 seconds. Sent out a warm favourite for the rich Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic over 1200m he duly saluted in easy fashion being eased down to win by 4 lengths in a quick 1.10.13. His follow up run in the STC Group 1 Golden Slipper 1200m at Rosehill where he led for most of the race saw him run 2.2 lengths behind the runner up in a blanket finish beating home Gold Edition, Wonderful World and Casino Prince to name but a few.He has since trained on to accumulate to-date ten career wins and earnings of over $784,000. Kaphero has carried big weights to victory twice lumping more than 60kgs to victory (61.5kg and 60.5kg). He has never started on heavy ground, but has won twice on the slow, three times on dead ground and five times on good ground. With five wins in succession leading into his last start third beaten half a length in the MVRC Group 1 Manikato Stakes 1200m WFA he has consistently proved his speed, toughness, versatility and reliability.Kaphero is the most prolific winning Danzero entire which is no mean feat from a former Golden Slipper winner who boasts over 400 winners and a winners to runners career average of over 63% (7.7% stakes horses to runners).“I've got great faith in Kaphero as a sire," Adam Sangster noted. "His outstanding pedigree, first class race record and smashing good looks mean he ticks all the boxes. I'm sure he will produce good looking foals and as a speed grandson of Danehill with a double cross of Star Kingdom - he's got plenty going for him."A daughter of influential former New Zealand sire Centaine, Kapchat showed her class on the track with six wins headlined by victory in the Group One Winfield Classic. As well as Kaphero, Kapchat has thrown dual Flemington stakes winner Princesa, Singapore star Keeneland and four time stakes placegetter Wasimah. Another of her daughters - the recent city winner Hidden Energy - has also recently been purchased by Sangster. Kapchat is a half-sister to Hunza, the dam of Golden Slipper winner Courtza who is in turn the dam of Champion NZ Sire O’Reilly. It was little wonder that there was plenty of interest from across the Tasman in a stallion with these credentials. Adam Sangster’s successful bid for Kaphero has ensured Victoria has taken another significant step forward in Australian and New Zealand breeding circles.