Stallions

Relationships and fair business matters to Lovatsville

31 May 2025

Story courtesy of TTR Aus/NZ, written by Dane McLeod

Rising thoroughbred industry figure Sam White helped form Lovatsville around 12 months ago as part of a strategic restructure of the Victorian stallion operation, Leneva Park.

White, who previously held roles at Coolmore and later Ciaron Maher Racing, joined forces with Seymour Park owners Darren Thomas and Mark Pilkington, along with Leneva Park’s Luke Vandersluys, to establish Lovatsville at the Northwood Road property.

When asked how he wants Lovatsville to be known and perceived, White was clear in his intentions.

“First and foremost, we want to be known for doing fair business,” he said. “Beyond that, we’re openly looking to make partnerships and enjoy working with people. We’re open-minded about how that looks, whether that’s trading or selling in partnerships.”

The foundation of Lovatsville’s business philosophy places an emphasis on the importance of relationships as well as results.

“We want to work with good people. This industry is amazing, but it’s demanding,” he said. “A big reason why a lot of us do it is because we love the animal and we love the game,” White said.

Lovatsville operates solely as a stallion station, and while there’s no immediate plan to expand beyond that scope, White sees room for careful and considered growth.

“At the moment, we’re focused on the stallion side, we don’t have plans to change that,” he said. “We’ll look to grow with the right horses. I can see us having six to eight stallions in time, but there’s no rush. We’ll do it properly.”

White also believes the industry needs to think creatively to attract new participants, especially as the landscape becomes more challenging for small breeders and owners.

“I think we have a responsibility to entice new people into the industry,” he said. “We’re looking at some new initiatives that might be a little outside the norm, more experience-based or entertainment-driven. That’s what this industry needs to offer if we want to stay vibrant and grow.”

Knowledge across the industry a big asset

Sam White brings a mix of experience to his role at Lovatsville, having worked across both the breeding and racing sectors. His time at Coolmore Stud, followed by a stint with the Ciaron Maher Racing team, has helped shape the way he approaches stud management, stallion management and business strategy.

“I had a great time at Coolmore, I can’t speak highly enough of them as an organisation. It was very much run like a family, and they were very good to me,” White said. “But I was eager to get back to Victoria, and it was great to be at the coalface of racing with Ciaron.

"I joined Ciaron when it was only one stable at Caulfield and I had a great time with him, he has been a great supporter of me.

“I think it’s absolutely important to have experience on both sides of the industry. It really helps paint the full picture of what this business is.”

White also credits his wife, Sarah Wall, for influencing the way Lovatsville approaches promotion and communication. A former elite netballer and founder of Netfit Netball, Wall brings strong marketing acumen from the world of women’s sport.

“Sarah has a really sharp marketing brain, especially when it comes to storytelling and building engagement,” he said. “I've learnt a lot from her in terms of how we position ourselves and communicate with breeders

“To understand the outcomes of breeding from both the beginning and end user perspective is important. We need to know how trainers operate, what they’re looking for at the sales, and how we can breed horses that will fit seamlessly into their systems.”

Move To Strike: A Group 1 star with strong foundations

There has always been a sense of something special about Move To Strike who takes his place on the Lovatsville roster at a fee of $16,500 inc GST.

A $525,000 Magic Millions yearling from Baramul Stud, Move To Strike was snapped up by David Ellis for Te Akau Racing, who have developed a reputation for unearthing elite juvenile talent.

Precocious from the outset, the I Am Invincible colt won one of the earliest trials of the season and made a winning debut before Christmas. His form quickly stacked up: he finished second in the G2 Eclipse Stakes behind stablemate Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), who later won the G2 Schillaci Stakes and was runner-up in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. In third that day was Velocious (Written Tycoon), the eventual G1 Sistema Stakes winner.

Move To Strike was also fifth in the G3 Matamata Slipper behind Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel), who later won the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas and placed in the G1 Australian Guineas. He reached the pinnacle as a juvenile with a Group 1 victory over 1400 metres in the G1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, defeating future G1 NZ 1000 Guineas winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon).

Out of G2 Let’s Elope Stakes winner No Evidence Needed (Shamardal {USA}), his dam also placed in the G1 Robert Sangster and G1 Australasian Oaks and has produced five winners, including the G2-placed Discharged (Snitzel). This family traces back to G3 Gimcrack winner Kincay (Marscay).

“It’s exciting for us,” said White. “He has been very well-received and it’s comforting that when you do make a decision to stand a new stallion, to be validated has been very reassuring. It makes him a very viable addition.

“Physically, he has a profile that will suit the Australian market, and pedigree-wise he is a standout. He’s big, strong, dark and sexy.”

He also brings the right temperament. “From the moment he stepped on the farm he’s been a pleasure, so easy. That’s something the Te Akau team pointed out early on.”

White confirmed that Move To Strike is already proving popular. “We’ve had bookings from Adelaide, Queensland, Victoria and New Zealand. At the moment, he has about 90 mares on his list, so we’re in great shape.”

Lovatsville stallion lineup

Joining the Group 1-winning 2-year-old Move To Strike, are emerging sire prospects: Royal Meeting (Ire), Fierce Impact (Jpn), Generation and Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip (Fr), all standing at their 2024 service fees.

Lovatsville has decided to hold things steady, and even offering the scope for individual deals that could provide extra value.

“We are conscious that times are tough and we need to support each other,” said Sam White. “Small breeders are the backbone of the game, and our attitude towards business is reflective of that understanding. We want everyone to win.”

White said the approach to pricing was deliberate and focused on fairness.

“It is a fairly priced roster, and at the same time we aren’t in a position to increase the fees either. These horses still have to prove themselves to warrant rises.”

“We are encouraging breeders to get in touch. We’re extremely open to doing business and think we can make a fair deal for everyone. The early bird may get the worm. We want to do good business from the get-go. Breeders can call us with confidence.”

The ATA Partnership

Last spring, Lovatsville launched a strategic partnership with the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA), offering stallion nominations as incentives in select fillies and mares races across regional Victoria.

The initiative provided two nominations to each stallion on the 2024 roster for winning trainers who were ATA members. The trainers could either use the nominations themselves or on-sell them.

“It worked really well,” said White. “Having worked in both the training and breeding sides of the industry, I’ve seen how important it is to build circular relationships.

"As a result of the initiative, trainers such as Matt Cumani, Archie Alexander and Troy Corstens sent mares to Lovatsville stallions. White said the program may expand into other states.

“I’m a big believer in giving if you want to receive. I have huge respect for trainers, the workload they take on and the financial risk they’re exposed to. It’s one of the main issues the industry is facing and we should be able to talk about it.”

“The ATA partnership is an acknowledgement of that risk and one way we can help. We need to support each other.”

Lovatsville’s 2025 stallion fees - Premium service and a deal-focused mentality to the fore.

23 May 2025

Following the announcement of exciting Group 1-winning 2-year-old, Move To Strike, Lovatsville have released their fees for the entire roster with each of Royal Meeting (Ire), Fierce Impact (Jpn), Generation and Gold Trip (Fr) remaining at their 2024 quote.

Bucking the trend in 2025 where commercial service fees have increased on average, Lovatsville have held fees steady while leaving the door open for further value through a select number of deals on offer.

“We are conscious that times are tough and we need to support each other. Small breeders are the backbone of the game, and our attitude towards business is reflective of that understanding. We want everyone to win,” White added on the opportunity of the deals on offer.

In joining the Lovatsville ranks at a fee of $16,500 (incl. GST), Move To Strike retires as I Am Invincible first and only Group 1 winning two year-old at stud “For breeders to be able to access a horse of the times, with the pedigree, profile and physique of Move To Strike, and at a price point where people can make money, we think is terribly exciting. He’s big, strong, and sexy and will appeal to the commercially focused breeder.”

Royal Meeting covered the biggest and best book of his career last season of 129 mares, thanks to the brilliant G1 Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi, and he remains at $22,000 (incl. GST) in 2025. From a sire line known for producing later maturing sprinting sorts, Royal Meeting has proven his ability by leaving a Group 1 winner, a host of smart city performers and is developing a profile in Hong Kong through recent winner King Lotus and the emerging Incredible Moment.

“Royal Meeting has got good numbers coming through and recently made his mark in Hong Kong. His fee remains the same because he’s had a 2-year-old Group 1 winner in his first crop, which is difficult to achieve. He’s shown he can do it and has more to follow in the coming months. Like all of our established horses however, we are open to doing deals with clients to assist in the economic climate,” said White

Fierce Impact remains at the value fee of $13,750 (incl. GST) and with continued murmurings of the potential of his stock he looks to be one of the better “punt” horses on offer this season. “Fierce Impact is a horse we have a lot of faith in. No one expected them to be early 2-year-old sorts, but from only a handful of runners, he’s had the winning and black-type performer Zelia, as well as Fine Star who was fourth on debut in a Listed race, and Matt Smith’s Fierceness ran fourth on debut at Canterbury and that race has Group 1 Sires Produce form around it,” said White.

Fierce Impact has excelled in the ring with his second season stock averaging $90,000, representing a 5.5x return on service fee, with his stock realising up to $400,000 at Inglis Easter for the Hirondelle colt to respected judge Kevin Walls. On top of that a Magic Millions colt fetched $200,000, going to Lindsay Park, with Simon Miller a returning buyer of the breed when paying $170,000 at the Melbourne Premier Sale for a filly out of Silk Jacket.

A few seasons ago, a horse that appealed to Ciaron Maher as the “right” kind of Snitzel, in his eyes, at the Magic Millions was the colt that would become Generation. A $575,000 Magic Millions yearling purchased in partnership with Dermot Farrington, the ripping looking first foal from triple-stakes winning 2 year-old speed machine Fontiton delivered on his looks and pedigree as an undefeated 2 year-old, multiple Group 3 winning 3 year-old and dual Group 1 performed sprinter. He stands this season at an unchanged $11,000 (incl. GST).

Acquired because he was the “right” kind of Snitzel, Generation has furnished into one of the most magnificent stallions, strong whilst retaining his athleticism, a lovely colour and a thumping big hip on him which is why the team are eagerly awaiting his first foals. “If he produces horses that look like himself, we’ll see continued support because he has the capability of producing the types of horses that the market wants; fast, sexy, sleek looking racehorses with a commercial flavour to them,” Lovatsville’s Sam White said. “I think it’s also important to note that Ciaron Maher has taken a stake in Generation as he believes that horses like him stand as good a chance as any to be the next Vinnie, Written or Tassort. Finger’s crossed.”

Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip rounds out the roster at the value fee of $8,800 (incl. GST). A grandson of Exceed and Excel, from a brilliant Aga Khan family and returning a CT Short on the Equinome speed gene test, Gold Trip ran as a 2 year-old before becoming a Group winner at three in France, running third in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and fourth in the time-honoured G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Sent to Australia he won the aforementioned Melbourne Cup as well as a high-class Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, defeating global superstar Romantic Warrior in the process.

“I love this horse. He’s a king. He’s got the looks, the attitude, and we know he had the performance. As a 3-year-old he ran an amazing fourth in the Arc, where he looked like the winner in the straight. I struggle to think of a local 3 year-old who could produce that kind of performance at that level, yet you can access him at a fraction of a price of his contemporaries at stud,” said White.

On the prospects of the upcoming season, White is confident in the balance of the roster and the ability for Lovatsville to develop their foothold in the competitive stallion market “We’re proud to stand five quality options for the market at competitive rates, with greater value on offer. We love to look at pedigrees, providing advice and structuring deals that benefit the breeder, so we encourage anyone interested in our stallions to reach out for a no-obligation assessment of your mares. We will get straight to the point.”

To learn more about Lovatsville, book to this seasons stallions or acquire breeding rights in Move To Strike, Generation or Gold Trip, please visit their website www.lovatsville.com or contact:

Sam White: +61 408 123 428 or sam@lovatsville.com
Brian Byrnes: +61 478 010 364 or brian@lovatsville.com
END

I Am Invincible’s first Group 1 winning 2 year-old, Move To Strike, set to stand at Lovatsville in Victoria

02 May 2025

Seymour Bloodstock, Te Akau Racing and emerging Victorian Stallion Station, Lovatsville, are pleased to announce that Move To Strike (I Am Invincible ex. No Evidence Needed) will stand this coming season at the Seymour Park-based stud Lovatsville for a fee of $16,500 (incl. GST).

Beautifully bred colt Move To Strike, also a pre-Christmas winning 2 year-old, became Vinnie’s first Group 1 winning 2 year-old (and one of only two, alongside recent ATC Sires victor and newly minted stallion prospect Vinrock) when winning the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes over 1400m defeating a high-class field littered with strong Australian form.

Following his debut December 2 year-old victory, Move To Strike was narrowly beaten at his next start by subsequent Coolmore Stud Stakes placegetter and multiple Victorian Group winner Bellatrix Star in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes over 1200m (defeating Velocious). He returned to the track a few months later to claim the April juvenile feature where he came from last at the turn to smash a quality field including:

Savaglee - Group winning 2 year-old who trained on to be NZ leading 3 year-old winning the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (amongst 4 Group victories in his current 3 year-old season), before a brave 2nd in the Group 1 Australian Guineas to Feroce.
Velocious - 2 year-old Karaka Millions and Group 1 Sistema Stakes winner.
Captured By Love - 3 time Group winning, multiple Group 1 placed 2 year-old who trained on to win the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas beating Alabama Lass.
Sergeant Major - Stakes winning Australian 3 year-old with Ciaron Maher.
Archaic Smile - Stakes winning and G1-placed 2 year-old.

An impressive individual from day one, the $525,000 2023 Magic Millions purchase from the Baramul draft, out of the multiple Group winning Shamardal mare No Evidence Needed, was selected by David Ellis CNZM on behalf of the Te Akau 2023 Stallion Breeding Syndicate. “From the moment I set eyes on Move To Strike at the Magic Millions' sale, I knew he was something truly special. He had that unmistakable quality - a colt with real presence, athleticism, and a powerful physique, but also an intelligent and kind eye. He’s a magnificent individual, strong and imposing yet with an absolutely superb temperament” Ellis said.

With Ellis’ selection vindicated and Move To Strike’s 2 year-old campaign culminating in a stud career, Lovatsville’s Sam White is understandably delighted with the outcome. “Move To Strike is one of only two Group 1 winning 2 year-olds by Vinnie and has an exceptional pedigree and physique to complement his on-track performance. Being out of a high class, multiple Group winning and Group 1 performed Shamardal mare provides breeding buffs with confidence that this horse can take you forward. He’s a horse for the times.”

Te Akau supremo David Ellis CNZM added “Our team is excited that Move to Strike will be standing in Victoria this season. The Lovatsville pitch was compelling, leveraging the opportunity to have Move To Strike’s stock become VOBIS qualified which has become an important part of our Victorian-based Cranbourne operation.”

“Move To Strike is a stallion with all the credentials to make a significant impact on the breed - pedigree, performance, physique and mind. We can’t wait to follow his journey as he passes on those exceptional qualities to his progeny."

Underpinned by his new ownership group, Seymour Bloodstock, Te Akau and partners have committed to supporting the horse at stud with quality mares, with a base of 70 mares already on his book. With the majority of Breeding Rights sold via an early private release a limited number remain available ($44,000 incl. GST comprising 2 nominations for his first 3 seasons, with 1 annually thereafter - payable now or terms can be made available for deduction from 2026 yearling proceeds). Move To Strike’s introductory fee of $16,500 (inc. GST) is reflective of Lovatsville’s commitment to supporting the local breeding community with quality options at attractive prices.

To learn more about Move To Strike and the breeding rights available or to book a nomination please or contact:

Sam White: +61 408 123 428 or sam@lovatsville.com
Brian Byrnes: +61 478 010 364 or brian@lovatsville.com

LOVATSVILLE REVEALS 2026 STALLION ROSTER

20 May 2026

New arrival ESPIONAGE leads a six-horse roster combining speed, stamina and the world’s best bloodlines at value fees.

Lovatsville has unveiled its 2026 stallion roster — a six-horse line-up headlined by the arrival of ESPIONAGE and built, top to bottom, around fees pitched with a breeders-first mentality.

A multiple Group-winning two-year-old son of Champion Sire Zoustar, a $1 million Magic Millions yearling prepared throughout his racing career by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Espionage has the looks, pedigree and profile to make an immediate impact. Lovatsville’s Sam White is delighted to have secured the horse, with Coolmore retaining an interest.

“He is a great coup for our farm and for Victoria, and Coolmore’s continued backing underlines his credentials in this market,” said White. “He’s a beautifully coloured stallion with a fabulous Zoustar-styled head — a brilliant loose mover with a plunging girth and a great shoulder. He has scope, short cannons, great length to his hocks, and an outstanding demeanour.”

Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse was equally enthusiastic.

“He was a precocious two-year-old, a sensational horse with enormous speed who did everything so easily,” Waterhouse said. “He has a fabulous temperament, which is so important. He’s as good-looking a colt as you will find, and being a fast son of Zoustar with looks like his, I know breeders will be very impressed when they see him.”

After finishing as the second-most active freshman sire of 2025, MOVE TO STRIKE holds firm at $16,500 incl. GST — exceptional value on the back of an extraordinary twelve months for the I Am Invincible sireline. Move To Strike was the first Group 1 winning two-year-old ever produced by I Am Invincible, and on the strength of what the sireline has delivered through the past year — including the feats of Home Affairs and Hellbent — he looks an incredibly exciting prospect.

“Move To Strike was a revelation for us last season — he was well supported in a competitive market, with breeders impressed by his physique, his juvenile form and his brilliant pedigree,” White added. “He’s deep, dark, strong, and has a fantastic temperament. He’s got the head, hip and girth we expect to see as dominant attributes in his foals, and for all that his sireline has achieved in the past twelve months, he looks like a free lick of the ice cream at $16,500.”

Now into their third seasons at stud, GOLD TRIP and GENERATION both represent outstanding value given their credentials. Gold Trip, a world-class weight-for-age star, returns at a remarkable $5,500 incl. GST, down from $8,800. Generation — a fast, precocious Snitzel-line colt with the same race-record and sale-price profile as Sword of State (now $50,000) — stands at $6,600 incl. GST, the same fee at which Written Tycoon stood in his third season.

“We have a few interesting deals and initiatives in place this season. One of them is an additional 25% discount on Generation’s fee for any Written Tycoon-line mares that visit him,” White noted. “It’s an exceptional cross, and one we’d like to exploit.”

Rounding out the roster at the value tier, ROYAL MEETING and FIERCE IMPACT both stand at $8,800 incl. GST. Royal Meeting is the sire of a Group 1 winning two-year-old from his first crop in Hayasugi, and is quietly building a real profile in Hong Kong.

“Royal Meeting covered 129 quality mares in 2024, so he has great strength coming through,” he continued. “You’re able to access a Group 1-producing sire, with a trade profile, at a very attractive fee.”

Fierce Impact, meanwhile, continues to return over 8% black-type performers to runners — a strike rate that holds its own against any stallion in Australia at any fee.

“The Deep Impact sireline improves with age, time and distance, which is exactly what Fierce Impact did himself,” he said. “We continue to receive positive feedback from trainers who have his stock in their yards, and we look forward to seeing the sireline demonstrate its class in this part of the world — led by Sheza Alibi.”

Reflecting on the season ahead, White concluded:

“We’ve taken the view this year that we meet the market. It’s a competitive game, and the industry is healthy — but when conditions are challenging, we need to be sure we’re on the journey with everyone in it. We have some exciting initiatives in play, some interesting discounts and opportunities — and we welcome your phone call to discuss the possibilities.”

2026 LOVATSVILLE STALLION ROSTER

Stallion	2026 Service Fee (incl. GST)
ESPIONAGE	$11,000 (New in 2026)
MOVE TO STRIKE	$16,500 (no change)
ROYAL MEETING	$8,800 (reduced from $22,000)
FIERCE IMPACT	$8,800 (reduced from $13,750)
GENERATION	$6,600 (reduced from $11,000)
GOLD TRIP	$5,500 (reduced from $8,800)

Enquiries: Sam White, Lovatsville 0408 123 428 or sam@lovatsville.com

Move To Strike - following the success of Vinny and his sons

26 March 2026

A big week with a story still unfolding for I Am Invincible and his barnstorming sons. Credit to the team at Yarraman who took the initial punt on the G3 DC McKay Stakes winner I Am Invincible - the now 3 times Champion sire.

It’s a bandwagon we’ve unashamedly jumped aboard and are delighted for the partners and supporters of our very own son of Vinny, Move To Strike whose star clings to his wave of success.

Move To Strike (photo: Lovatsville)

Here’s why:

I Am Invincible’s first season sire Home Affairs took all before him through four busy seasons at stud, underpinned by breeder support that culminated in sales ring success. Now he has achieved the ultimate in on track success with Guest House’s resounding Group 1 Golden Slipper win.

His stock at the sales have been strong, substantial horses capable of absorbing and excelling in at the elite level of racing. You just feel there is more to come. What is he worth to the no-doubt circling stallion farms with multi-million dollars cheques to have him stand at stud? $20, $30 or $40 million? What will he stand at? $60, $70, $80, $100,000 or more?

Home Affairs (photo: Coolmore)

Move To Strike presents similarly. He has strength, substance and quality and I am looking forward to the arrival of his first foals. 143 top mates sent by astute Victorian breeders and we expecting a number of a big, strong, dark sexy foals to hit the ground, built in that Home Affairs style. Move To Strike stood his first season at a fee of $16,500 incl. GST, a fee where breeder’s can scale a return.

Hellbent, the Group 1 winning sprinter and Group 1 sire son of Vinny added another strong to his bow, siring a dominant, record breaking Hong Kong Derby winner Invincible Ibis. Already the sire of Group 1 winning sprinters Magic Time and Benedetta, alongside progressive types Savvy Hallie and Vivy Air, Hellbent is replicating another typical trait of Vinny’s firepower in producing horses that train on deep into their careers.

This longevity and progression of his stock augurs well for the likes of Guest House and other sons of Vinny with stud aspirations. A sales ring success, stock that train on, versatility in the market for traders and a service fee and profile that rises season on season.

Hellbent's Hong Kong Derby winner Invincible Ibis (photo: Inglis)

Yulong this week announced the retirement of their Group 1 winning 2 year-old son of Vinny, the Matt Laurie trained ATC Sires Produce winner (1400m) Vinrock. Another exciting chapter in the story of Vinny’s sons at stud, and following in the footsteps of our own Move To Strike, who was a pre-Christmas 2 year-old winner and the first Group 1 winning 2 year-old by I Am Invincible ever.

A $525,000 Magic Millions graduate to famed judge David Ellis, Move To Strike is out of multiple Group winning and Group 1 performed sprinting Shamardal mare No Evidence Needed. He’s dark, strong and dominant and looms as the likely successor to juvenile sire star Brazen Beau, the VOBIS pin-up boy for so long.

We're thankful to the breeders to have underpinned him with quality in year one, all 143 of them providing the market with a great platform to follow him in second season. Move To Strike will be standing again at $16,500 incl GST - give us a call to discuss him. We’re as excited about the Vinny bandwagon as anyone.

#IAmInvincible #Yarraman #HomeAffairs #GuestHouse #Hellbent #Vinrock #BrazenBeau #MoveToStrike

Same race, $1 million prizemoney and a new name - THE MOVE TO STRIKE THOROUGHBRED CLUB STAKES.

27 October 2025

First run in 1968 and previously featured on Caulfield Cup Day, the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes enters an exciting new era in 2025. This year the race boasts a significant prizemoney increase to $1,000,000, a date shift, and a new name – THE MOVE TO STRIKE THOROUGHBRED CLUB STAKES - reflecting its growing stature as the premier Spring Sprint for three year old fillies.

Previous winners of the race include Group 1 stars such as Sunlight, Earthquake and Platelet. The Melbourne Racing Club and The Thoroughbred Club are proud to announce a new partnership with Lovatsville first season sire Move To Strike, marking the next chapter in the race’s evolution.

The $1,000,000 feature joins a blockbuster Caulfield program on November 15, alongside the $1,000,000 Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes, the Group 2 Sportsbet Sandown Guineas, Group 3 Sportsbet How Now Stakes, Group 3 Tile Importer Summoned Stakes and Listed Sportsbet Village Stakes.

MRC Chairman Cameron Fisher said the move marks an exciting new chapter for the race.

“Currently a Group 3 event, the MRC is striving for the Thoroughbred Club Stakes to be upgraded to Group 1 status, given the absence on the Australian racing calendar of a 1200m Group 1 contest for three year old fillies,” said Fisher.

“This new partnership reflects the shared ambition of the MRC, The Thoroughbred Club and the breeding industry’s commitment to the race.”

Standing at Lovatsville, a fledgling young Stallion Station based in Nagambie’s Golden Triangle on Seymour Park -alongside powerhouse International farms Godolphin, Yulong and Swettenham - Move To Strike is the ‘talk’ Victoria’s first-season sires. At his introductory fee of $16,500 (inc. GST), he is covering an impressive first book of over 140 mares at Lovatsville.

A black adonis with movie star good looks and an outstanding pedigree, Move To Strike made history as the first Group 1 winning two year-old by Champion sire I Am Invincible, storming from last to first to beat 3 other individual Group 1 winners in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes over 1400m.

Major partners of Move To Strike’s ownership group include Seymour Park principals Darren Thomas and Mark Pilkington, who, along with former Thoroughbred Club President Gary Lechte, won the 2022 edition of the Thoroughbred Club Stakes with English Riviera. Thomas and Pilkington also share in the ownership of this season’s Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours and Brayden Star who recently won the Herbert Power Stakes.

Lovatsville studmaster Sam White noted the strong connection between their roster and the MRC’s Spring features, adding the Move To Strike partnership is delighted to be associated with such a historically significant and now aspirational race.

‘We’re fans of what the MRC are doing and very much appreciate the commitment to the industry that the Move To Strike ownership group are demonstrating with this exciting new partnership,” said White.

“Alongside Move To Strike we also stand Royal Meeting who sired Clint Macdonald’s star filly Hayasugi who clean swept the MRC’s 2023 Blue Diamond series, our Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip was placed in two Caulfield Cups and of course the Toorak was one of three Group 1 mile races that Fierce Impact won. Snitzel’s precocious son Generation won a Group 3 at the Heath as well so we can’t wait till progeny of Move to Strike get to strut their stuff at Caulfield.”

-ENDS-

Media contacts:

Rebekah Patterson | PR Manager | 0406 244 754 | rpatterson@mrc.net.au

Sam White | Lovatsville | 0408 123 428 | sam@lovatsville.com

Move To Strike signed up to valuable VOBIS scheme

01 July 2025

Story courtesy of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV)

Move To Strike one of the more intriguing additions to the state’s burgeoning stallion ranks this year.
Move To Strike, who will stand at Lovatsville Stud for $16,500, became his superstar sire’s first juvenile Group 1 winner when the Te Akau Racing-owned colt stormed home over the top of some high-class rivals to claim the 2024 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham.

Adding further merit to the eye-catching victory was the fact that the beaten brigade that day included subsequent elite level victors Captured By Love, Savaglee and Velocious, as well as the Ciaron Maher-trained Sergeant Major whose last start saw him break through in Stakes grade in the Listed Pacific Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

According to Lovatsville’s founder and CEO Sam White, the precocity of that performance - allied to his good looks and an unflappable temperament - should ensure a long and prosperous stud future alongside his fellow residents Fierce Impact (Deep Impact), Generation (Snitzel), Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Gold Trip (Outsrip) and Royal Meeting (Invincible Spirit), the sire of last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) heroine Hayasugi.

“We’re all very focused on precocity in this industry, and this colt certainly had plenty of it,” said White.  “Particularly as a son of Vinny he had been on our radar for a while, these type of colts are often hard to access so we were delighted to come to an agreement with our partners at Seymour Bloodstock and Te Akau to stand him here at Lovatsville.

“His win in the Sires’ Produce was absolutely enormous, you don’t see two-year-olds capable of winning a Group 1 in that manner too often. It was a high-quality field and he put them away easily, which is what really locked us into him. Whilst he had plenty of speed, his performance over 1400 metres that day suggested he could’ve got over a mile in time, and that versatility is something the market is certainly looking for.

“What has probably impressed us most is how seamlessly he has fitted in at the farm. [Te Akau boss] David Ellis and [trainer] Mark Walker were both glowing in their praise about his temperament, and it’s very easy to see why because he’s been absolutely outstanding since the moment he arrived.

“Mark told us he’s one of the most sound-minded colts he’s ever put a saddle on, and he’s trained a lot of good horses. He said he was always a pleasure to work with, and he’s shown that on the farm. Nothing fazes him, and he’s integrated very quickly and easily into a stallion barn with some dominant Alpha males in it. So that is really pleasing, and his sound temperament should take him a very long way in this game.”

All of Lovatsville's stallions are nominated to the VOBIS Sires program, with Service Fees eligible for payment with a VOBIS Platinum voucher redemption.  Progeny of VOBIS Sires stallions are VOBIS Platinum eligible and, once nominated, may race for over $30 million in VOBIS prizemoney, bonuses and vouchers each season including the exclusive $1 million VOBIS Platinum Showdown for two-year-olds and $500,000 VOBIS Platinum Guineas at three. Progeny of VOBIS Sires stallions are also eligible for purchase with VOBIS Platinum vouchers, and in turn may compete for an additional $7.5 million in VOBIS Platinum vouchers on offer each season.