Continuing the Legacy of Adda Equine Stud

Harry Capararo was a highly respected breeder and staunch supporter of WA harness racing and his son Peter has made it his goal to keep his legacy alive. 

Harry Capararo was the driving force behind Adda Equine Stud and was involved with winners of more than 1000 races in his lifetime. His best horse – and pride and joy – was Rich And Spoilt, who won $300,000 on the race track and became an outstanding sire, leaving 150 winners of almost $8 million in stakes. 

When Harry passed away four years ago, Peter decided to take over Adda Equine to honour his dad’s memory. 

But Capararo discovered 60 to 70 standardbreds in the Adda Equine program and said it was a bit daunting, at first, to work out a way forward. 

“Dad had four loves in life – his wife and kids, the farm, making money and Rich And Spoilt,” Capararo said. “He liked nothing more than going out to the farm and spending time with his horses. Like any son, after dad’s passing, I wanted to keep his legacy going. 

“But I had zero knowledge of standardbreds. And there were 60 or 70 horses – broodmares, youngsters and race horses to deal with. I decided not to race as many but focus on the breeding side, which was dad’s real passion. 

“With the help of (bloodlines expert) John Coffey we got the broodmares down from 28 to 11 and I will continue to buy some better class mares to keep the program fresh. I bought (Group 1 winner) Miss Sangrial this year and have acquired a major share in Miss Boudica. She will join the roster when she retires.” 

Capararo said he had received amazing support from people in the industry.

“John Coffey’s advice has been invaluable and Tim Stone manages the farm and the youngsters,” he said. “Deb Lewis has prepared every yearling we have put through the sales and I hope she continues to do so. Without these people, it would have been impossible to keep the operation running.” 

Rich And Spoilt passed away several years ago but he is still having a major influence on the breeding program as a broodmare sire. His daughters have produced Shockwave (1.53.4, $567K), Blacknsweet Adda (1.52.2, $334K) and Double Expresso (1.55.4, $328K) and another six $100,000 earners. 

Adda Equine also breed the occasional Rich And Spoilt foal through frozen semen. 

“Rich And Spoilt had four Group 1 winners from his first couple of crops,” Capararo said. “He is still having an influence through his daughters. We have one filly by Rich And Spoilt in the sale and two youngsters out of his daughters.” 

Adda Equine Stud will offer seven yearlings at the APG Perth Yearling Sale on March 3 – two colts and five fillies. One of the standouts will be Lot 408, a filly by Heston Blue Chip from a Rich And Spoilt daughter Adda Rising Star, who was runner-up in two Westbred finals. 

The eye-catching filly is a full sister to 3YO Westbred final (G1) winner Blue Chip Adda (1.55, $102K) and will attract attention in the ring. Lot 449 is a colt by boom sire Stay Hungry from another Rich And Spoilt daughter, the Group 1 winning Gota Good Lookadda (1.57.9, $146K). 

This colt is bred on the same cross as unbeaten two-year-old Louie Vee, sold by Adda Equine last year, who will be highly fancied in the 2YO colts APG Classic final on March 1. 

“All the yearlings are there for genuine sale, and we are always happy to stay in the ownership of any horse we sell for a small percentage,” Capararo said. “We want Adda Equine to be known as a breeder of good horses, that people want to buy, and can have fun racing them. Dad would be happy with that.” 

For full details of all catalogued yearlings in the 2024 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer now. 

From APG Ltd