Sires Omaha Beach, Vino Rosso off for Aussie breeding season

Two American newcomers will complete Spendthrift Australia's 2020 stallion roster with the announced additions of multiple Grade 1 winners Omaha Beach and Vino Rosso, who newly stood at the farm's Kentucky branch this season.

The first 3-year-old in 30 years to win Grade 1 races from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles in the same season, Omaha Beach is a son of War Front who also finished second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

When asked if Omaha Beach is as good as any he’s trained in his illustrious Hall of Fame career, trainer Richard Mandella responded: “I can’t think of one better.”

Omaha Beach has a uniquely international pedigree littered with 11 Grade/Group 1 wins in the first two dams, including his Breeders’ Cup-winning half sister, Take Charge Brandi.

A tremendous physical makeup, exceptional race record and quality pedigree make Omaha Beach the most exciting stallion prospect to date by superstar stallion War Front. The son of Danzig has made his mark as a sire of sires in Australia this season through the deeds of Declaration of War.

With Spendthrift boasting his breed-shaping potential, Omaha Beach will stand his debut Australian season for $22,000.

Vino Rosso, by Curlin, stormed home to win the Breeders' Cup Classic in his career finale, adding to a resume that included a victory earlier last season in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1). At 3, Vino Rosso had won the Wood Memorial (G2) and appeared in two legs of the Triple Crown series.

Vino Rosso is out of the Street Cry mare Mythical Bride. The Mr Prospector/Street Cry cross is familiar to Australian breeders having produced Group 1 winners Con Te Partiro, Lyre and Trekking and The Quarterback, among others.

As with Omaha Beach, Vino Rosso was booked full in his first U.S. season. He will stand in Australia for $13,750.

“It’s a big vote of confidence in the Victorian breeding industry for Mr. (B. Wayne) Hughes to shuttle two of the most popular and valuable stud prospects in North America,” said Garry Cuddy, general manager of Spendthrift Australia.

“Omaha Beach and Vino Rosso represent the best of the best, as multiple (Grade 1) winners with rich pedigrees, and like every stallion on our roster, they are by champion sires.”

“Omaha Beach and Vino Rosso will be afforded every opportunity at stud when supported by quality mares from the Spendthrift Australia broodmare band," Cuddy added. “We will be active at the sales over the coming months to purchase mares that specifically complement their profiles.”

It was previously reported that American Grade 1 winner Bolt d'Oro, who stood his second U.S. stint in 2020, will not travel to Australia for the Southern Hemisphere's breeding season.