The 26^th edition of “Stallions”, or better known as the breeder’s bible, arrived on my desk this morning.

Nothing has changed since the very first edition; it remains among the finest horse breeding publications in the world.

“Stallions” has stood the test of time, a credit to its publisher, Andrew Reichard, and editor, Jennifer Churchill, they have been there for those 26 editions.

The highest services fees are shared by Redoute’s Choice and Exceed and Excel, both at $110,000, Fastnet Rock stood last year for $275,000, this year the fee is on application.

An interesting inclusion in each edition features quite a few sires of former years that make for interesting reading for breeding buffs.

Among former stallions is Nilo, an excellent sire with an outstanding pedigree, he was bred by the old Aga Khan and imported by Lionel Israel’s Segenhoe Stud, at Scone in the Hunter Valley.

He left a number of good horses including Pride of Egypt, Nilarco, Mallant, Amneris, Queen of the Nile, as a brood mare sire his daughters left no fewer than 34 Stakes winners.

He was by Nearco from the family of Lady Josephine, she produced two quality fillies in Mumtaz Mahal and Lady Juror, the dam of Fair Trial.

Nilo was ultimately exported to Claiborne Stud where his three quarter brother, Nasrullah, was already located.