El Moxie taken out of commision

OCTOBER, 2007: The stud career of El Moxie (USA) appears to be over following the stallion’s withdrawal from service by Emirates Park Victoria director of operations, Eddie Alvares.

During the past week, clients of the two-state operation’s Diggers Rest arm have been informed that the prolific Mr Prospector-line stallion has been retired from duties due to failing fertility.

A 1986 foal by US champion racehorse Conquistador Cielo from a half-sister to the immortal stallion Northern Dancer, El Moxie was first secured for stud duties by the Larter family, commencing service at Woodlawn Stud, Tasmania, in 1991.

The first runners by the stallion made an instant impression, prompting His Excellency Nasser Lootah to secure the majority shareholding in the stallion and relocating the bright young stud prospect to Emirates Park Victoria in the second half of the nineties.

Since such time, El Moxie has proven to be outstanding servant of both Emirates Park and the Victorian breeding industry, supplying a steady stream of quality domestic winners as well as overseas runners of world renown.

Of course, El Moxie will always be best remembered as the sire of Silent Witness, the legendary Hong Kong-based galloper twice recognised as world thoroughbred racing‘s champion turf sprinter.

Conceived at Diggers Rest, Silent Witness won a total of 18 races and the equivalent of $10 million in prizemoney before his retirement to nearby Woodlands Historic Park, Oaklands, along with fellow ‘Living Legends’.

To date, El Moxie is accredited with 321 individual winners, including 15 stakes winners and a further 15 stakes placegetters. In addition to Silent Witness, Alfa, El Mirada, Winestock and Joyful Winner have all saluted at Group One level.

Following three consecutive seasons (2003 to 2005) of covering in excess of 100 mares each year, El Moxie still has a sizeable contingent to represent him and quite probably enhance his outstanding reputation as a sire.

According to the latest statistics available, El Moxie boasts a winners-to-runners ratio of 66.6 per cent, serving as testimony to the stallion’s highly commendable stud career.