We’re proud to announce that Oratorio and VAR are the first SA stallions available on top US pedigree site, True Nicks. This gives breeders free access to this highly respected pairing engine and makes the selection of mare and stallion so much easier and more reliable!
This is how True Nicks announced our signing up earlier today:
At Avontuur Estate we find two of the hottest young sires standing in South Africa in Oratorio (IRE) (TrueNicks) and Var (TrueNicks). The well-traveled duo both have U.S. and European connections. Oratorio was foaled in Ireland and is a son of Danehill, but his dam, Mahrah, is by Vaguely Noble out of Montage, an Alydar mare who comes from Alydar’s own family. A three-time group winner at 2 when his victories included the Grand Criterium (Fr-I), Oratorio added the Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I) and Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I) at 3.
With his first seven crops (four Northern, three Southern), Oratorio, who kicks off his South African career in 2013, has 36 stakes winners to his name, including the 2013 Singapore Airlines International Cup (Sin-I) victor Rave (Military Attack); Biz the Nurse, successful this year in the Italian Derby (Ity-II) and Gran Premio di Milano (Ity-I); Beethoven, who took the Dewhurst Stakes (Eng-I); and other group/grade I winners Manwanui, Banchee, and Temida.
Var is by Storm Cat’s son Forest Wildcat out of the stakes-placed Zilzal mare Loma Preata, and is inbred to the cross of Northern Dancer over Bold Ruler (through, respectively, the three-quarters related Secretariat and Key to the Kingdom). On the racetrack, Var earned himself the title of European champion sprinter after winning the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (Fr-I). At stud, Var’s been nothing short of a sensation, with 17 stakes winners to date, including the spectacular sprinting duo of Variety Club, winner of four group I events, and Val de Ra, who has a trio of group I events to her name, as well as other group I winners Via Africa, Villandry, August Rush, and Contador.
