Lazarus joins stallion roster at Wai Eyre Farm

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Dual New Zealand Cup winner and $4m earner Lazarus is on the move.

One of the all-time greats, the now 12-year-old superstar turned stallion has been bought by a group of owners including Wai Eyre Farm principal Darryl Brown and will now stand at the stud's East Eyreton property in North Canterbury.

"He's on farm at the moment," says Brown, "and he is now totally New Zealand owned,"

Previously Lazarus had an international ownership group and stood at Alabar and Nevele R in this country before this latest move.

"We had Christian Cullen here before and now we have Lazarus," says Brown.

At stud Lazarus has been a puzzle. There have been some fertility issues along the way but he's produced some real quality spearheaded by the likes of North American-based millionaire pacer Voukefalas.

In this country his progeny have also been making waves.

In just the last 24 hours unbeaten four-year-old The Lazarus Effect (Lazarus - Brook Street) went three from three at Winton yesterday while talented two-year-old Nymbal (Lazarus - Glenferrie EJ) was a good second on debut at Cambridge last night behind the Purdon-trained hotpot Fitzroy.
 
"We knew that purchasing Lazarus would be a very good idea for the farm, especially given the way his progeny have been performing," says Brown. 

“We believe he is on the verge of emulating his success in North America as a sire, and we are really excited to be able to be part of this next chapter with him.”

Lazarus stood for $5000 last year and Brown has yet to disclose what his fee will be for the next breeding season.

"But we really want to give breeders confidence. We are looking at all sorts of on-farm packages to bring prices down."

Lazarus will join a roster that also includes Sky Major, One Over Da Moon, On A Streak, and Carlton.

"We could potentially end up with seven or eight."

Brown says Lazarus' arrival  is part of a commitment from the Farm to go all out.

"There was a time when we bred up to 450 mares so we certainly have the capacity."

"We have a great team here and we're trying to get back to where we were 15 years ago."