New Recruit Return To Conquer Commences Covering Season In Style

When you consider that RETURN TO CONQUER is an unbeaten, G1-winning son of multiple Champion Sire Snitzel, there’s little else that needs to be said to convince breeders to send some of their best mares to him.

On a visit to Waikato Stud this week, Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch was extremely impressed with the way the former Te Akau Racing owned colt had settled into the new phase of his career.

“I remember him well, he’s the horse that Blue Gum sold to Sir David Ellis for $1.3 million. He’s a beautiful colt and looking at him just here, he’s certainly only gone forwards,” said Bowditch.

With the team very selective when looking to secure a potential stallion prospect for the farm, Return To Conquer not only had a sensational racetrack career, but the depth of his pedigree and undeniable physical presence saw the colt a must have.

“What a great racehorse that he was. Unbeaten as a two-year-old and New Zealand Champion Two-year-old. A horse that we’re absolutely wrapped to have here at stud,” enthused Mark Chittick.

“He’s just a great horse to have around he’s so cool, he’s such a character.”

With his book set to be closed at no more that 160 mares, Return To Conquer is proving himself very fertile with 17 of his first 20 mares covered currently in foal.

“No problems there, so I couldn’t be happier, he’s getting every chance,” said Chittick.

And it’s not just his fertility that has the team at the farm excited; it’s the quality of the mares that have been booked in and covered so far. Take a look at Tuesday’s mares as a prime example.

“He started off with Chandelier, Mo’unga’s mother. He’s heading to the barn now for Magic Dancer, Noverre’s mother, and then this afternoon he’s got Hopscotch, Amarelinha’s mother. So, he’s having three dams of Group One winners,” said Chittick.

Off the back of last Saturday’s result with Warwoven winning the G1 Golden Rose, it is interesting to note the similarities between his sire Sword Of State and Return To Conquer himself.

With both being sons of Snitzel, the pair are also unbeaten, Champion 2YO’s of their juvenile season with wins in the G1 Sistema Stakes to their credit. 

It’s also worth noting that sons of Snitzel at stud have already produced 99 stakes winners headed by 15 G1 winners which surely bodes well for the future success of Return To Conquer.

“It’s great to see him, of course he was bought by one of our great judges and standing here at Waikato, he’s a no-brainer really to support at 15 grand,” said Bowditch.

Return To Conquer is standing his initial season at $15,000 plus GST, LFG.