Volstead deal reached for Down Under rights

The frozen semen rights for siring sensation Volstead (Cantab Hall) have been confirmed with NSW Veterinarian Lauren Eggins in association with Llowalong Farms handling all Australian bookings, and trotting enthusiast, Brad Reid handling the New Zealand side of the ledger.

The Swedish Group One winner stood two seasons down under at Yabby Dam Farms in Victoria in 2020 and 2021 serving books of 50 and 45 in Australia and 29 and 27 respectively in New Zealand.

In November 2023, the decision was made to make his frozen semen available with Volstead serving 20 mares In Australia and seven mares in New Zealand despite being late to the party.

The Stallion’s owner, Dean Miller, was confident that the frozen semen already in storage in both countries would help bridge the gap until a deal could be reached for shuttle duties in the coming years.

“I’m a little bit disappointed Volstead won’t be able to get back in the flesh this year but in saying that, until we can iron out a few of the creases in making that a reality, there is enough frozen semen to serve around 40-50 mares with the semen already in storage in both countries,” said Miller.

“We didn’t announce his frozen semen until late last year, but with Volstead being highly fertile we had some great success with getting mares in foal and I’m confident with the structure of this year’s arrangement that it will be more of the same in 2024.

“Success breeds success in this industry and Volstead’s popularity has soared here at home having served over 250 mares across the last two seasons. It’s a goal of mine to ensure we are able to do those sort of numbers in Australasia in the future and it’s fantastic to see the results have not slowed down with his progeny,” he said.

Eggins was introduced to Australasian breeders last year having been involved in the equine reproduction sector for over a decade and has plied her trade in many of the major states of Australia before returning home to New South Wales earlier in the year where her family with rich harness racing roots reside.

“I’m a vet and have been for over ten years plying my trade around Australia. I have always been interested in the harness racing sector,” said Eggins.

“My interest comes from my Dad’s side of the family who have had trotters and pacers my whole life. My Grandfather is Harold Said, he was a trainer in Sydney at Harold Park for a number of years.

“Dad used to train when I was younger and continued that on his interest more recently in Wagga and New South Wales helping to train participants and issue them their licenses so he has always been involved in some capacity.

“A large part of my Vet career has been involved in the breeding of horses and equine reproduction more than anything else, but I have always kept a strong interest in the bloodlines of the standardbreds that I am working with and externally in the wider racing community,” she said.

New Zealand breeders will be familiar with Brad Reid with the 36-year-old having held previous roles with both the NZ Standardbred Breeders and Harness Racing New Zealand as Breeding Manager for close to a decade.

The Cantabrian is passionate about the trotting sector breeding from three trotting mares and having bred three-time G1 winner, Bolt For Brilliance. Reid has also advocated passionately for the advancement of the breed and is largely responsible for the increase in black type opportunities the trotting fillies and mares enjoy today in NZ.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have gotten to know Dean (Miller) over the last couple of years through my work with Harnesslink,” said Reid

“I have spent time with him in America on a couple of occasions now and we both have a huge passion for trotting bloodlines. It’s exciting to be given the opportunity of representing a world-class stallion like Volstead and it’s made that little bit easier by the fact he has runs on the board and is doing a great job in both hemispheres,” he said.

Volstead will be available in Australia for a fee of $12,500+GST and New Zealand for $10,000+GST. Breeding’s will be limited in both countries and breeders are encouraged to contact both Lauren & Brad to ensure they do not miss out on securing a booking to the champion son of Cantab Hall.

Australia | Lauren Eggins: +61 400 871 509 or by email: laureneggins2@outlook.com 

Australia | Llowalong Farms:  +61 3 5852 2845 or by email: admin@nrequine.com.au

New Zealand | Brad Reid: +64 21 683995 or by email: brad@harnesslink.com

by Harnesslink Media