Height: 16.2 HH / Colour: Bay / Trainer: Julius Sandhu / Foaled: 30/08/2019
Our Stallion
Lofty Strike—fondly known as “Striker”—is the embodiment of speed, class, and tenacity, and his rise from precocious colt to sought-after stallion is nothing short of remarkable. Bred to be a star, he’s by four-time Champion Sire Snitzel out of Golden Slipper heroine Overreach, placing him squarely in the realm of Australia’s most elite bloodlines. Now, in a landmark move for both Swettenham Stud and Victorian breeding, Lofty Strike joins the Swettenham roster for the 2024 season.
A Dazzling Debut
The moment Lofty Strike stepped onto the track at Flemington in January 2022, it was clear he was something special. Still an early 2-year-old, he dispatched a talented field over 1100m with effortless brilliance. Next start, he unleashed a swooping finish in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude, circling the field to defeat high-calibre colts including future Group 1 winners Jacquinot and Daumier. That emphatic victory established him as outright favourite for the prestigious Group 1 Blue Diamond.
Controversy struck on the eve of that very race when Lofty Strike was unexpectedly scratched. The result? Daumier took out the Blue Diamond, with Jacquinot placing third—two colts Lofty Strike had beaten by significant margins only weeks prior.
A Season of Stunning Wins & Near Misses
Despite the Blue Diamond setback, Lofty Strike’s class shone through as a 3-year-old. In the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, he ran a luckless fourth to Champion Filly In Secret, outrunning multiple Group 1 winners including Coolangatta and Jacquinot. A short break later, he roared back to his best first-up in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes—finding a near-impossible gap and accelerating with blistering late splits faster than Australian Champion Racehorse Nature Strip.
Just two weeks after that stirring performance, Lofty Strike lined up in the time-honoured Group 1 Oakleigh Plate. Carrying a tougher weight assignment, he powered home from near the tail to finish second behind Uncommon James, beating Group 1 stalwarts Masked Crusader and Roch ‘n’ Horse in the process. He then capped his prep with a courageous run in the Group 1 Newmarket at Flemington—this time edged out by In Secret in a lightning-quick 1:08.40, placing him in rarefied air among recent Newmarket winners.
- 1200m
- 11 March, 2023
- Julius Sandhu
- C. Newitt
- 1100m
- 25 February, 2023
- Julius Sandhu
- C. Newitt
- 1100m
- 11 February, 2023
- Julius Sandhu
- C Newitt
- 1200m
- 20 May, 2023
- Julius Sandhu
- J.Mott
- 1200m
- 29 October, 2022
- Julius Sandhu
- J.Mott
- 1100m
- 12 February, 2022
- Julius Sandhu
- J. Mott
- 1200m
- 12 October, 2022
- Julius Sandhu
- J.Mott
- 1100m
- 15 January, 2022
- Julius Sandhu
- J. Mott
The Making of a Commercial Stallion
Over 12 starts, Lofty Strike defeated 17 individual Group 1 winners and more than 60 stakes winners. He retired an undefeated 2-year-old at Group level, a Group 2-winning 3-year-old, and placed or ran gallant performances in multiple Group 1 contests. His physical presence—a striking blaze, muscular frame, and commanding stride—mirrors his stellar race record and impeccable pedigree.
By Snitzel (sire of countless Group 1 champions) out of Golden Slipper victress Overreach, Lofty Strike stands at the crossroads of rare achievement and generational breeding excellence. His family features Blue Diamond success, champion juveniles, and a lineage that continues to shape Australian racing. This impeccable parentage, combined with his courageous on-track performances, positions Lofty Strike as one of the most exciting stallion prospects in the country.
now Standing at Swettenham Stud
Swettenham Stud’s commitment to elite breeding finds a perfect match in Lofty Strike, whose brilliance is poised to bolster Victoria’s status on the global thoroughbred stage. Now retired sound and ready to embark on his new career, he offers breeders the opportunity to tap into a potent blend of precocity, performance, and pedigree—all at an introductory fee of $22,000 (incl. GST) for the 2024 season.
From cult hero to commercial standout, Lofty Strike’s story captures the essence of thoroughbred racing—unbridled talent, determination, and that ever-present promise of greatness around the next corner. We invite you to join us in writing his next chapter and be part of a stallion whose speed, class, and champion bloodlines are destined to leave a lasting mark on Australian racing and breeding.
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