Te Akau was thrilled with the quality of Circus Maximus’ first crop of yearlings at Karaka this year and ended up purchasing two colts and a filly from the promising young sire. One of the colts, Circus Maximus/Qiji Vision, still has a few shares available and is considered to be a great value for money investment. This colt comes from a strong pedigree, with his dam being an Iffraaj mare, and is related to successful stakes winners like Who Dares Wins and Brave Lancer.
An exciting update from the UK revealed that Circus Maximus, a dual Royal Ascot champion, sired his first-crop 2-year-old winner, Alerta Maxima, at ‘Glorious Goodwood’. Alerta Maxima showed improvement from her debut race, positioning herself midfield before displaying a strong finishing kick to secure a length victory over twelve other competitors.
Circus Maximus had a successful racing career across Europe and the United States, establishing himself as a Champion Miler by winning three Group 1 races, including the prestigious St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and Prix de Moulin de Longchamp as a three-year-old. Returning to Royal Ascot as a four-year-old, Circus Maximus triumphed in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, showcasing his versatility and talent over various distances.
As the only foal out of DUNTLE, a Group 1 Matron Stakes winner, Circus Maximus has a strong pedigree, being a son of the legendary sire Galileo. He is a prime example of the successful cross between Galileo and Danehill Dancer, which has produced numerous Group 1 winners. Bred by the Niarchos family, Circus Maximus now shuttles between Coolmore, Ireland, and Windsor Park Stud, New Zealand.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle, Circus Maximus competed at the highest level of racing, achieving notable performances in races like the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Prix Jacques le Marois, and the Sussex Stakes. Known for his consistency and competitive spirit, Circus Maximus is a popular choice among breeders, with his first Southern Hemisphere yearlings selling for impressive prices.
Heading into his fourth season at Windsor Park Stud, Circus Maximus commands a fee of $17,500+GST, reflecting his value and potential as a sire. With a proven track record of producing talented offspring, Circus Maximus continues to attract interest from breeders looking to enhance their bloodlines and compete at the highest levels of horse racing.