Stakes winner Banquo will join Waikato Stud’s stallion roster for the upcoming breeding season, becoming the first son of Champion sire Written Tycoon to stand at stud in New Zealand.

Trained by Danny O’Brien, Banquo was victorious in the Listed Springtime Stakes (1400m) on the final day of the Melbourne Spring Carnival in 2019, and was placed in the Gr.2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) and Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis Handicap (1200m).

“Banquo is an incredibly good-looking horse and he was very talented,” O’Brien said.

“He won a stakes race at his third run as a three-year-old and raced very well for us the following spring, just beaten in a Group Two race at Flemington as a four-year-old. He’s a genuine Group-class sprinter that unfortunately we didn’t get to see at his best.”

Banquo was an A$600,000 yearling purchase by Wairarapa-based bloodstock agent Bruce Perry, and is a brother to Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Booker.

“Banquo made a statement as soon as he walked out as a yearling. He had presence and quality. He was a very athletic and good moving yearling,” Perry said.

“Waikato Stud has an incredible history of success and for Mark to take him on shows the belief he has in Banquo.

“It’s pretty special for Banquo and his owners, as we know he will get every opportunity. Waikato Stud don’t get it wrong very often with their stallion selections.”

Banquo will stand at Waikato Stud this coming breeding season for a fee of $4000+GST.