'I can’t see better value' - Ardad heads Overbury Stud's talented 2025 roster

Overbury Stud has announced its fees for 2025, with Ardad set to stand his fourth consecutive season at £12,500.

Simon Sweeting of Overbury Stud said of the Group 1-winning sire and Flying Childers Stakes scorer: "I can’t see better value among all the proven stallions in Britain."

The son of Kodiac is responsible for three-time Group 1 winner and European champion three-year-old sprinter Perfect Power in his first crop, while other standouts include Sirenia Stakes scorer Eve Lodge and 2024 Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy winner Candy. 

The ten-year-old now has 153 two-year-olds of 2025 to represent him from his fifth crop, and Sweeting added: "They’re by far his biggest and best-bred bunch so far, conceived on the back of that sensational start, and they were extremely well-received at the sales. 

"Trainers and agents seem to really like them – they are such good-walking, good tempered horses – and Ardad had half a dozen six-figure sales in England, Ireland and France, led by the filly bought by Amo Racing, while they averaged almost seven times his fee. We’d be very hopeful this big, quality crop will deliver even more of the strong results we’re used to getting from him, especially with his precocious two-year-olds."

Also remaining steady, this time at £10,000, is Horse of the Year and high-class dual-purpose sire Golden Horn. Having recently supplied another new Group winner in Prix Fille de l'Air scorer Higher Leaves, the son of Cape Cross is also responsible for Group 1 stayers Gregory and Trawlerman, plus classy filly Caius Chorister, a Pattern scorer last season and placed in Group company this year. 

Golden Horn: exciting sire in both codesCredit: Overbury Stud

His current crop of juveniles include Newmarket maiden winner and Futurity Trophy fourth Seaplane.

Sweeting said of the Derby and Arc hero: "You know what you get with Golden Horn – a shot at a smashing horse who can give years of pleasure. He’s a stallion with so many fans. 

"In 2024, he’s had a Group 1 horse in Dubai and Group 3 and stakes winners in Australia, plus a Listed sprinter in the Middle East."

Golden Horn's National Hunt ranks include Cheltenham Festival winner Golden Ace and Welsh Champion Hurdle and Kingwell Hurdle victor Nemean Lion. In addition, Harold Kirk signed for two Golden Horns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horse In Training Sale for Willie Mullins for 330,000gns and 200,000gns.

Another Flying Childers winner standing at Overbury is Caturra, a son of Mehmas whose first foals arrived this year. He remains at £5,000 for 2025. 

Sweeting commented: "Caturra’s first foals are strong, well-grown and athletic, and buyers will I hope be impressed when they inspect them at the sales. We’re really pleased with them.

Caturra: Flying Childers winner's first foals have impressedCredit: Mark Cranham

"Looking ahead, a point worth remembering is how well all those breeders did who sent mares to Ardad in his third season: his yearling stats from that year are well worth looking up!"

Exciting pair Frontiersman and Jack Hobbs have shown plenty of promise with their young jumpers and their fees will be decided in due course, while stalwart Schiaparelli remains at £2,000. 

Sweeting said: ‘These two are doing marvellously well with their young jumpers. Jack Hobbs is all the talk in the Irish pointing field – his recent Cheltenham winner Intense Approach was sold for £210,000 and is being aimed at the Alfred Bartlett. 

"Meanwhile, Frontiersman’s first jumper is the 130-rated four-year-old Dodger Long, and he also has a really talented stakes filly on the Flat, Asian Daze, who was bought by Gai Waterhouse for £200,000 to race in Australia. We’ll set fees for these two once we’ve been able to see a bit more of what their jumpers can do."

Of Schiaparelli, he added: "Schiaparelli gets resolute, progressive horses who give of their all and recent Cheltenham winner Wyenot might be another mare in the mould of his high-class daughter Indefatigable. 

"Look down his list of offspring and there’s any number you’d have been delighted to have bred. It’s not surprising he’s got his loyal fans." 

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