Make no mistake… Aristo Tuff (IMP) is THE ONLY STALLION standing in Australia by the legendary Woody Be Tuff (US), and with his unique world-class genetics, he is THE ULTIMATE OUTCROSS to top bloodlines and there is almost nothing you can’t breed to him.
Affectionately known as “Tuff”, at just 7 years old and with his handsome appeal, athletic build, and calm disposition, this 15hh, sorrel quarter horse stallion is being recognised as a world-class sire. Whilst he is extremely versatile and capable, it is his acceleration, speed, power and athleticism that makes him a stand out.
The ideal outcross to top bloodlines
… including the Cats, Peptos and Dual Reys. Tuff is unique in that he’s a total outcross over the High Brow Cat and Metallic Cat mares, the Peptoboonsmal’s and Dual Rey’s. Also a lot of the trainers say he is a great cross for those hotter type of mares. And having completed over 70 breeds in 2022, this rising star was applauded by Red Sky Quarter Horses as the No. 1 Super Stallion in the country which has made him the ‘go-to’ sire for discerning locals as well as international breeders.
Back story…
Up until now you’d be forgiven for overlooking this large, sorrel, US born stallion. Bred in Weatherford Texas, US, in 2015, by cutting industry stalwarts Jerry and Vickie Durant, Aristo Tuff (IMP) was sired by the Equi-Stats Elite Woody Be Tuff (US) earner of over USD 350K and now a producer of over USD 9M+, out of the champion US cutting mare, Aristo Katz (by Smart Aristocrat) earner of over USD 700K, who was trained and successfully shown by the renowned Clint Allen.
He was sold by the Durants in August 2016 as a yearling colt to an astute Australian breeder who wanted to harness his unique outcross genetics in particular the dam line being Aristo Katz and Smart Aristocrat. After being broken in and started by Australian ex-pat Greg Jolly, he went through his cutting program with the highly acclaimed US trainer Tatum Rice. In late 2018 Greg graciously stepped back onboard showing him at the 2018 NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth Texas US where he didn’t go unnoticed. He also spent time at Buffalo Ranch where his semen was collected and frozen for the US market.
Tuff went on to sire a hand-full of progeny in the US before being relocated to Australia in May 2019.
Unfortunately during the next 2 ½ years of Tuff’s journey, he was not afforded the opportunites a stallion of his caliber deserved, so it wasn’t as prosperous as was hoped for him.
Blue skies and green fields…
However, in January of 2022 he was given a new life and another chance to shine by industry resolute Bianca Kelynack of Borambil Park (ex Copperwood Ranch, VIC), who too saw the value in his unrivalled genetics, but most of all fell in love with this big quarter horse’s kind and gentle demeanour.
“David and I were keen to support the local industry however like many we had been breeding to US branded studs. I knew that the genetics I wanted for our breeding program must have existed in Australia.” said Bianca.
After 6 months at Borambil Park, Tuff was regaining his confidence. He was now fit, healthy and ready to embark on the next chapter of his life.
“I remember the smile on Roger Wagner’s face after he first put him on cattle in our arena. He came to me and said… the horse has it all… and he’s unique in that he is a total outcross and there is almost nothing you can’t breed to him. Breeders will want to breed their mares to him,” recalls Bianca’s husband, David.
The prospect of Tuff as a sire was a refreshing blue sky, green fields opportunity for all that chose to invest in him. And in the 2022 breeding season the unachievable was attained whereby he exceeded all expectations. Bianca was now of the view that people needed to see this remarkable stallion in the flesh. She wrestled with the idea of showing him personally in the cutting pen however he was 7 years old now and had missed the most formative years in a cutting horse’s career. So, it was determined that the best strategy for Tuff was to go drafting.
Following months of searching for the optimal trainer, one who would treat him as their own, love and care for him, in February 2023 the highly accomplished Kylie Barnett Tapp with husband Ben Tapp at her side embraced the opportunity to draft this cutting trained US native stud.
A soft launch was planned by Bianca and Kylie… however Tuff had other ideas and with only 2 drafts under his belt Tuff climbed onto the podium in the Ray White EPIC Stallion Draft in Armidale finishing 3rd after 3 very challenging rounds against some of the most accomplished Stallions in the industry. “We couldn’t be more proud of Kylie and Tuff,” said Bianca and David Kelynack.
… and so the next chapter begins for Aristo Tuff (IMP).
