Grunt
O’Reilly (NZ) x Ruqqaya (NZ), by Van Nistelrooy (USA)
2014
16.2hh
FEE: $19,800
GST inclusive
FOUNDATION SIRE AND GR.1 PRODUCER GRUNT
Approaching his seventh season on roster, foundation sire Grunt continues to prove a loyal servant to Australian breeders, providing a consistent source of tough, attractive and progressive winners across the country.
Grunt’s first-crop son Veight burst onto the scene with a six-length maiden win at two, before dominant success in the Gr.2 Sires’ Produce S. at Flemington one month later. Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Veight was one of the best three-year-olds of his generation, winning the Gr.1 WFA George Ryder S. at Rosehill following placings in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas and Gr.1 Australian Guineas.
Grunt’s second crop included another smart Stakes winner in Yulong homebred Pocketing. Out of the High Chaparral mare Pickpocket, Pocketing progressed through this three-year-old season to take a hard knocking win in the 2025 Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill with the hope of more to come at four.
With smart wins from Rhythm Of Love, Our Cracklin Rosie and Manolo Bling, and given the improvement that Grunt himself made with age, there is plenty of excitement around this young stallion as crops emerge from Yulong’s elite mares.
Purchased from the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$220,000 by Cameron Cooke Bloodstock and trainer Mick Price, Grunt himself made a quick impression on the track.
Having only the one two-year-old outing, placing third to eventual Gr.1 winner Aloisia, Grunt broke his maiden impressively at the beginning of his second campaign when starting a four-race winning streak. Showing his talent, his third victory was in the Gr.3 C S Hayes Stakes, defeating Cliff’s Edge and Embellish.
This campaign culminated with a tenacious victory in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas, in only his fifth career start.
Damien Oliver was effusive in his praise for Grunt post-victory, “he’s a magnificent specimen of a horse and he deserved a really strong Gr.1 win like that today.”
Grunt returned as a four-year-old to impressively win the Gr.1 Makybe Diva in 2018 by two lengths at Flemington, beating eight Gr.1 winners in the process.
Grunt retired with a Timeform rating of 123 as a four-year-old, ranking him as elite among his generation.
“An outstanding individual and brilliant 1600m horse. Grunt had an excellent temperament and I think he will make a great stallion,” said Mick Price.
Grunt’s first crop of yearlings were presented at the 2022 yearling sale and were immediately popular. At the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale they totalled an impressive $1,480,500. Five of the 15 offered made six figures and sold to leading trainers such as Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Graeme Begg, Freedman Racing, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott and Danny O’Brien Racing.
It was a similar story the following year, with his second crop selling up to $340,000 across Australia’s premier yearling sales. Grunt’s yearling average alone in 2025 is enough to entice the shrewdest of breeders, with his latest crop averaging nearly four-times their conception fee.
As Yulong’s foundation sire, Grunt offers Australian breeders a valuable proven outcross to Danehill-line mares, capable of producing an attractive sales type alongside a tough and progressive racing prospect.
Performance
Facts
- Dual Gr.1-winning miler by Champion stallion O’Reilly (NZ).
- Winner of the Gr.1 Australian Guineas at three, then took out the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes at four, like turf legends Zabeel (NZ) and Mahogany.
- Retired with a Timeform rating of 123 as a four-year-old, ranking him as elite among his generation.
- Yearlings have sold up to $350,000 and averaged nearly four-times their conception fee in 2025.
- Stakes winners in both his first and second crops, and the first stallion in over a decade to sire a WFA Gr.1-winning three-year-old from their first crop, with Yulong-bred Veight taking out the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes.
Race record
Age |
Runs |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | – | – | 1 | $9,000 |
| 3 | 4 | 4 | – | – | $728,250 |
| 4 | 7 | 1 | – | – | $645,200 |
| Totals | 12 | 5 | 0 | 1 | $1,382,450 |
at 2
3rd VRC Saintly Hall of Fame 2YO Trophy (1400m)
at 3
VRC Australian Guineas, Gr.1 (1600m)
CS Hayes S., Gr.3 (1400m)
SAJC Holdfast Insurance H. (1600m)
Werribee RC Winning Edge Presentations Maiden P. (1400m)
Timeform Rating: 122 (in 2017)
AT 4
VRC Makybe Diva S., Gr.1 (1600m)
Timeform Rating: 123 (in 2018)
TOP PRICED YEARLINGS
Media
Grunt
Bred to Win
featuring Grunt
Grunt winning the 2018 G1 Makybe Diva S.
Grunt winning the 2018 G1 Australian Guineas
Pedigree
Grunt’s Leading Progeny
VEIGHT (20c, Fastnet Rock, Miesque’s Son). 5 wins from 1200m to 1500m, A$2,030,740, 1st ATC George Ryder S., Gr.1, MVRC Australia S., Gr.2, VRC Sires’ Produce S., Gr.2, MRC HDF McNeil S., Gr.3, 2nd MRC Caulfield Guineas, Gr.1, VRC Australian Guineas, Gr.1, 4th ATC Sires’ Produce S., Gr.1, MRC CF Orr S., Gr.1
POCKETING (21g, High Chaparral, Zabeel). 4 wins from 1200m to 2000m, A$317,600, 1st ATC Tulloch S., Gr.2, ATC Midway H., 2nd ATC TAB H., 3rd ATC All Too Hard H.
MIRAVAL ROSE (20f, Zabeel, End Sweep). 3 wins from 1115m to 1400m, A$361,725, 1st MRC Twilight Glow S., L, VRC Kensington S., L, 2nd MRC Thoroughbred Club S., Gr.3, 3rd VRC Frances Tressady S., Gr.3, MRC Village S., L, MRC Magic Millions Victorian 3YO & 4YO Classic
All Grunt (21g, Encosta de Lago, Zabeel). 3 wins from 1100m to 1400m, A$121,550, 1st WATC Glenroy Chaff H., WATC Tabtouch H., 2nd WATC Lex Piper S., L, 3rd WATC JC Roberts S., L, WATC Challenge S., L
Rhythm of Love (20g, Not a Single Doubt, Cherokee Run). 3 wins from 1200m to 1400m, A$225,750, 1st ATC James Squire H., ATC Hyland Race Colours H., 2nd BRC Fred Best Classic, Gr.3, ATC TAB 2YO H., ATC John Ramsay 40 Year’s Service H., ATC James Squire H., 3rd ATC South Pacific Classic, L, BRC XXXX P.
Siberian Siren (20f, Lonhro, Palace Music). 3 wins from 1000m to 1200m, A$184,165, 1st WATC Bisley Workwear H., WATC Quayclean H., WATC Quayclean H., 2nd Pinjarra RC Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (R), L, WATC Amelia Park P., 3rd WATC Accolade Wines H., WATC Hemlock Stone P.
Never Peter Out (20g, Star Witness, Fastnet Rock). 4 wins at 1650m, A$788,221, 1st HKJC Green Island H., HKJC Tin Ha Shan H., HKJC Prince of Wales Hospital Anniversary Cup, HKJC Boccia H., 2nd HKJC Flamingo H., 3rd HKJC IH Warm Jar H.
Hong Lok Golf (20g, High Chaparral, Nashwan). 4 wins from 1200m to 1400m, A$771,807, 1st HKJC Cosmos H., HKJC Sustainability H., HKJC Environmental Engineering H., HKJC Tai Lam H., 2nd HKJC Heroes in White H.
Dragoon (20g, Commands, Singspiel). 3 wins from 1500m to 1600m, A$166,340, 1st MRC Chairman’s Club H., MVRC Alinta Energy Maiden P., MRC Stow Storage Solutions H., 2nd MRC Quayclean H., MRC Welcome to Sandown Maiden P., 3rd MRC Sportsbet H.
Manolo Bling (21f, Snitzel, Timber Country). 3 wins from 1000m to 1100m, A$357,500, 1st VRC Schweppervescence P., MRC Sportsbet 2YO H., Bendigo JC Mazda H., 2nd MRC Sportsbet H., 3rd MVRC Vale Black Caviar P., VRC Be a Mate Trophy
Our Cracklin Rosie (20f, Commands, Bin Ajwaad). 4 wins at 1000m, A$218,350, 1st MVRC Centec Security Group H., MVRC Legacy Centenary H., 3rd MVRC Summer Membership on Sale Now H.
Pure Grunt (20g, Street Cry, Danehill Dancer). 3 wins from 1600m to 2400m, A$145,960, 1st MRC Robert Hunter H., MRC Tile Importer H.
Yuen Long Elite (20g, Sebring, Rock of Gibraltar). 2 wins from 1200m to 1400m, A$403,660, 1st HKJC Ruby H., HKJC Para Badminton H., 2nd HKJC Lugard H., 3rd HKJC Chengdu H.
Cinematic Star (20f, Dane Shadow, Success Express). 3 wins from 1000m to 1100m, A$103,000, 1st ATC Maurice at Arrowfield H., 2nd MRC Ive H., 3rd ATC TAB H.
Inaugural (20g, Commands, Fusaichi Pegasus). 3 wins from 1550m to 1800m, A$72,465, 1st SAJC Fotobase Group H., 2nd SAJC Sportsbet H.
Aratiri (21f, Lonhro, Mt. Livermore). 2 wins from 1666m to 1680m, A$57,220, 1st Ipswich TC Schweppes Maiden P., 2nd BRC Empire of Japan Maiden P., 3rd Ipswich TC Seven H.
Etincelle (20g, Testa Rossa, Danehill). Winner at 1200m, A$59,080, 1st MRC IVE Maiden P.
Reach the Peak (21g, Medaglia d’Oro, Danehill Dancer). Winner at 1800m, A$41,275, 1st MRC Sportsbet Maiden P., 2nd MRC Sportsbet Maiden P.
Mount Rinjani (21g, High Chaparral, Broad Brush). Winner at 1519m, A$53,225, 1st MVRC Drummond Golf Maiden P.
Perfect Beth (21f, Lope de Vega, Cozzene). Winner at 1100m, A$19,370, 1st WATC Tabtouch Maiden 2YO P.
Last Supper (20g, Street Cry, Pulpit). 3 wins from 1100m to 1200m, A$136,427, 4th Singapore TC Singapore 3YO Sprint, L
Dancer for Money (21f, Savabeel, Senor Pete). 3 wins from 1100m to 1130m, A$59,625
Trangoojahray (20f, Stravinsky, Montjeu). 3 wins from 1200m to 1600m, A$68,890
Savee (20f, Redoute’s Choice, More Than Ready). 2 wins from 1100m to 1214m, A$75,105
Hot Pursuit (20f, Exceed and Excel, Candy Stripes). 2 wins from 1300m to 1500m, A$100,980
Ton of Grunt (20g, Taimazov, Paris Prince). 2 wins from 1500m to 1600m, A$67,640, 2nd WATC Quayclean H.
Sheer Grunt (20f, Gulch, Giant’s Causeway). 2 wins from 2000m to 2008m, A$21,885
Mihoko Takeo (20f, Street Cry, Invincible Spirit). 2 wins from 1150m to 1650m, A$41,095
Mastretta (21f, Encosta de Lago, Volksraad). 2 wins at 1200m, A$54,670, 3rd TTC Steve’s Liquor Trophy
Akicita (20g, Not a Single Doubt, Encosta de Lago). 2 wins from 1100m to 1210m, A$58,650, 2nd MRC Ladbrokes Hub H.
Magic Stella (20f, Fastnet Rock, Redding). 2 wins from 1200m to 1460m, A$47,250
Dobbinair (21g, Exceed and Excel, Chromite). 2 wins from 1000m to 1100m, A$59,760
Mohnar (20f, Medaglia d’Oro, Hussonet). Winner at 1200m, A$67,755, 3rd MRC Sportsbet Maiden P.
Piglet (20f, Northern Meteor, Danehill Dancer). Winner at 1602m, A$34,655
Steadfast (21f, Artie Schiller, Reenact). Winner at 1500m, A$63,225, 2nd MRC Sportsbet Maiden P., MRC Sportsbet Maiden P.
Born to Shine (20f, Redoute’s Choice, King’s Best). Winner at 1300m, A$42,320
Socially Sassy (20f, Street Cry, Katahaula County). Winner at 1200m, A$40,750
Super Lad (21g, Half Hennessy, Spectrum). Winner at 1400m, A$26,275
More Torque (20g, Street Cry, Commands). Winner at 2450m, A$47,175
Geemes (21f, Stratum, Zabeel). Winner at 2000m, A$43,150
Loves Affection (20f, Taimazov, Kenmare). Winner at 1100m, A$26,510
Gidday Gidday (20f, Shamardal, Singspiel). Winner at 1200m, A$28,870
Lady Skylla (20f, Spinning World, Testa Rossa). Winner at 1550m, A$27,225
I Am Victorious (20g, Glass Harmonium, Danzero). Winner at 1200m, A$44,960
Geeijo (20g, Perugino, St Jude). Winner at 1210m, A$38,935
Danzagrunt (21g, Savabeel, Masterclass). Winner at 2000m, A$34,380
Ellessthree (20f, Ali-Royal, Gold Carat). Winner at 1200m, A$36,275
Under the Hood (21g, Hinchinbrook, Rahy). Winner at 1200m, A$33,892
Thiem (21g, Camacho, Trans Island). Winner at 1200m, A$21,355
Chanchos (20g, Husson, Danehill). Winner at 2000m
Grunt Brochure
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