Hot on the hoof of a truly remarkable start to his stud career, boom sire STATUE OF LIBERTY will join the Eliza Park stallion roster in 2009. In a huge boost for the Victorian thoroughbred industry, Statue of Liberty will shuttle to Eliza Park from Japan's East Stud.

"We are delighted Statue of Liberty will be given every opportunity to further his already successful career in the southern hemisphere and look forward to working in closely with Eliza Park," said Statue of Liberty Syndicate Manager Mr Nakajima.

Originally standing in Australia for the 2004-2006 seasons, Statue of Liberty was unable to serve any mares in 2007 due to the EI crisis. Nevertheless, Statue of Liberty's first two crops have made every post a winner, with his runners including AJC Hobartville Stakes-G2 winner Mic Mac, 2009 Magic Millions 3YO Trophy-RL flyer Tempest Tost, Group winner and multiple stakesplaced Dan Baroness and the juvenile stakeswinner Elysees.

Trained by Greg Eurell of Apache Cat fame, Mic Mac has now won five from five and appears spot on for a tilt at Group One glory. Others include the stakesplaced Go Lizzy and Perth speed machine, Hay List (three from three).

Such is his impact that Statue of Liberty is currently leading active Victorian Sire and is ranked second on the national second season sires' chart and sixth on the Australian 3YO Sires' table (ahead of Danehill Dancer, Rock of Gibraltar, Testa Rossa, Flying Spur, Exceed And Excel, Anabaa, Hussonet, General Nediym and company).

"We're very excited to be getting a stallion of Statue of Liberty's calibre," Eliza Park's CEO Cameron Croucher enthused.

"His sire is the breed shaper, Storm Cat and, importantly, Statue of Liberty provides a tremendous outcross for Danehill mares.

"As for the bottom half of his pedigree ... Statue of Liberty is out of the Seattle Slew mare Charming Lassie, which makes him a half brother to six winners, two of them stakeswinners including 4-time Group One winner Lemon Drop Kid.

"Charming Lassie, meanwhile, is a half sister to multiple Group winner Weekend Surprise, in turn the dam of both Breeders' Cup Classic-G1 winner and successful sire, A P Indy plus the Preakness Stakes winner Summer Squall.

"Statue of Liberty was a genuine speed horse who appears to be replicating the same in progeny, although it wouldn't surprise to see of a number of them be successful over a mile or longer.

"A service fee for Statue of Liberty will be announced at a later date, but for now we're over the moon about adding such an exciting sire to the best lineup of stallions in Victoria."