Vesuvio

Vesuvio is the latest addition to the stallion roster at Diamond Road. Bred by one of Australia's most successful studs Syrah Arabians, we were very lucky to secure Vesuvio when the Syrah breeding program dispersed in 2018.

At the time, I had just come to terms with having to sell my long-awaited dream stallion Elganan El Adien (iid PL) as once he had come to our farm, it had become clear he suffered from QLD itch. I was not looking for a stallion at all, I had simply gone to look at the horses with a friend. When in the mare paddock, we were approached by a most magnificent group of mares who surrounded us, each hoping for a carrot or a pat, without an argument between them. A pair of tall, young bay mares stood out amongst this group...they were so beautiful and elegant, my friend and I were really excited by the idea of them. It was hard to pick a favourite...but I did. Her name was Essafa, and I had to have her.

I asked to look at her mother, who was also for sale, as well as a younger full brother. Their mother was an excellent mare, yet very different to these two youngsters of over 15.2hh...so off to the stables we went to meet their father, Vesuvio. An Australian Champion and East Coast Champion Colt, I had been aware of him for sometime, as well as his sire of course, also an Australian Champion, the US import Azteq LBA, who is out of one of Americas greatest mares. Vesuvio's dam Valouria is one of Australia's most beautiful and successful mares, from the great mare family of Sarika. Like her son, Valouria was an Australian National Champion and East Coast Champion, and had produced multiple winning offspring.

The opportunity was too good to miss, and I purchased Vesuvio, his daughter Essafa and her mother Tarlea Ellabrandi. In time, I was able to purchase another daughter of Tarlea Ellabrandi who will be bred to Vesuvio in the future.

Vesuvio has been an excellent sire for us with two wonderful foal crops on the ground and a third on the way. Vesuvio produces tall, beautiful foals with excellent legs and feet, who look to be equally at home in the show ring and on the endurance track.

Photos by Stuart Vesty, Jess Wilson and Jennifer Ogden.