Crossword Genius

Ultimately ungulates best, Santa employing reindeer, say? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stag

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'reindeer say?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with communicating as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'ultimately ungulates best santa employing' is the wordplay.
'ultimately' suggests the final letters.
The last letters of 'ungulates best santa employing' are 'STAG'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stag that I've seen before include "Excluding women" , "speculator wanting quick profit" , "Horned animal" , "A fully-grown male deer" , "Hunted animal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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