Proven stallion Niagara, a Group Two winning son of Encosta de Lago, will return to Hawke’s Bay ahead of the 2023 breeding season to take up residence at Vicki Wilson’s Hau Ora Farm in Kahuranaki, south of Hastings.

It is somewhat of a homecoming for Niagara, who initially retired to Greg and Jo Griffin’s Lime Country Thoroughbreds in Hawke’s Bay in 2013, before the couple relocated across the Tasman, resulting in Niagara joining The Oaks Stud’s roster in 2017.

The sire of nine stakes performers and 118 winners at a strike rate of 62.8 percent winners to runners, the consistent Niagara will stand at a fee of $3,000+GST.

“I love thoroughbreds and the racing part of it,” Wilson said. “I have got to the point where I want to breed, race and produce them ourselves so we know what we are working with.

“We have Mongolian Falcon here and we love his young stock so when we were approached to stand Niagara, we thought why not give it a go.

“Niagara is a super type and he consistently leaves a nice horse. He had three winners over the past week and I think every stallion only needs one good one.

“He is arriving next week and we are really excited.”

Wilson said the shareholders in Niagara will continue to support him and his stock have also proved popular in the equestrian world.

“He leaves some good jumpers. They are naturally athletic,” Wilson said.

“I think that is what I like about Niagara and Mongolian Falcon, to sit on they are very athletic and natural horses. Hopefully they both have a good one come through.”

-NZ Racing Desk