Bonlac Gigolo is one of the really interesting stallion story’s of the modern Australian Stock Horse industry and absolute proof that outstanding genetics breed outstanding horses. He is a sire with expression and a natural desire to work.
He is arguably the most famous son of the legendary Blue Moon Mystic and from a mare line that oozes quality. His dam is the former Stock Horse National Maturity winner, Bonlac Escort, who is from Warrenbri Rosie, a full sister to Warrenbri Omega, and by Star Black Minstral.
For those who don’t remember Mystic in the flesh, he was a big strong grey Abbey stallion whose cattle working skill can only be called awesome. His owner was the diminutive Laurie Stephenson, and together they formed one of campdrafting’s memorable partnerships. They won the Warwick Gold Cup, the Canning Down Campdraft and a host of Open Drafts and Championships. The amazing fact of Mystic’s career was that once he was educated Lau1rie never worked him on cattle between campdrafts. He believed Mystic was a natural and in hindsight this certainly can’t be argued as he performed amazing runs and Laurie was never frightened to load him up with pressure.
Equally memorable was Bonlac Escort who achieved the greatest results as a competition horse and then became a prolific brood mare carrying the genetics of Romeo and Star Black Minstral.
As a competition horse Bonlac Gigolo boasts a big career. A winner of the Champion of Champions at Warwick in Queensland, to the winner at Equitana and a winner of many Open Drafts in between. He was also a regular winner of Ladies Drafts before being retired from competition as a 12 yo due to ill health.
However the big aspect of Gigolo’s stud career is the astonishing number of quality progeny he has performing at the highest level throughout Australia in so many different disciplines. Open campdrafting horses such as Mewburn Bewick, Bulla Martha and Lealukas’ home bred mares in Lealukas Candy Girl, Kalissa, Shanarta and Streetwalker.
Challenge progeny led by the phenomenal Dolgwili Norman, a winner of the Horse of the North Challenge, the Battle of the Bidgee, the Rosewood Challenge and the Coonamble Challenge with Morgan Webb plus Edenvale Orion the 2019 Man From Snowy River Champion with Kieran Davidson and the 2019 Runner Up in Lealukas Jimmy.
Lealukas Glide has shown the Gigolo’s are at home on the Polocrosse field winning Champion Horse Titles with Chris Bunney at the Nationals along with Berragoon ASH Stud’s Lealukas Candy Girl.
Sale progeny are also demanding respect with the 2020 Nutrien Classic seeing a 3 yo gelding, Leaukas Freedom sell for $26,000 to Gwen MacMillan and Aged Gelding, Gamberlee Hotshot sell for $24,000 to David Smith at Rockhampton.
Everyone is starting to want to be part of the Bonlac Gigolo story. It’s a big story and one that’s full of good horses and winning results.