Broodmare Focus: Sky Lantern

Sky Lantern proved herself a top class filly. She was a four time Group 1 winner as a two and three-year-old. She proved herself a filly of considerable talent when winning the Moyglare stud stakes. She recorded her second Group 1 win & first classic win in the 1000 guineas. She followed that up with wins in the Coronation stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sun Chariot stakes. Sky Lantern returned as a four-year-old but was unplaced in all her starts this year. Connections have now retired her to stud.

Sky Lantern is by the ill-fated sire Red Clubs and is out of the winning mare Shawanni. She has become a useful broodmare producing four stakes horses including Sky Lantern, Group 3 Queens Vase winner Shanty Star, Group 3 Round Tower stakes winner Arctic, dual stakes winner Hinton Admiral and the stakes placed Shropshire. Another sibling  is Scarlet Empire a 3/4 sister to Sky Lantern, she is unraced but is the dam of stakes performer and Group placed Danchai.

The second dam is Negligent. She was champion 2yo filly in GB, when winning the Group 2 Rockfel stakes. She was also placed in the Guineas as a three-year-old. She herself became a useful broodmare. Her progeny include the Group 3 winning and Group 1 placed Blatant. Another foal is the Group 3 winning Songlark.

Sky Lantern has strong credentials as a future broodmare. She comes from a strong female blacktype producing family and its also a boost to see her 3/4 sister foaling a stakes performer. Sky Lanterns' pedigree makes her open to some of Europe's best sires without too near inbreeding.

Galileo would obviously have to be considered, a mating with the champion sire creates 3x4 inbreeding to Northern Dancer. Other sires I would like to see for her include Dubawi, a mating with him would produce a 3x4 inbreeding to SkyLantern's  dam sire Shareef Dancer. Other suitable choices include Invincible Spirit, Shamardal, & Exceed And Excel.

The reign of Green Desert sire line

Green Desert was pensioned by Shadwell in 2011 at the grand age of 28, the son of top class sire of sires Danzig had failed to get any of his limited book of mares in foal. He is now happily livng out retirement at Nunnery Stud. Green Desert had a lucrative career at stud and has gained a fierce reputation as a sire of sires.

Progeny of Green Desert, himself a Group 1 winning sprinter have earned over $43 million, he has also sired over 100 stakes winners. His progeny excelled as sprinters/milers. Among his best progeny include Group 1 winners Desert Prince, Oasis Dream & Invincible Spirit. 

Sons of Green Desert have established themselves as top class sires and the Green Desert sire line is among the most sought after and successful line in European Breeding. Among his sire sons include Oasis Dream, Invincible Spirit, Desert Style & Cape Cross. 

Oasis Dream has established himself as one of Europe's best sires and is the sire of such horses as Midday, Power, Jwala, Charming Thought, Arcano etc, he is also a leading two-year-old sire. Oasis Dream has also been the leading British based sire by yearling averages at Europe's premier yearling sale  Tattersalls Book 1 sale in 2012 and 2013. He is also the sire of over 21 stakes performers in 2014.

Another of Green Desert's sons Invincible Spirit has also firmly established himself as a top class sire. His best progeny include Kingman, Charm Spirit, Fleeting Spirit & Moonlight Cloud. His fee has jumped considerably from €10,000 up to €100,000 due to the success of his progeny.

Cape Cross who stands under the Darley banner has also become a valuable sire. He sired champion filly Ouija Board, she was a dual Oaks winner and also a winner at Group/Grade 1 level seven times. In 2009 Cape Cross sired one of the greatest thoroughbreds ever to grace the turf in Sea The Stars. He won six Group 1 races in the short space of six months.

Another stallion son is Desert Style, he sired Group 1 winners Paco Boy and Mandesha from limited opportunities. 

It was always hoped that Green Deserts sire sons would prove just as successful as he was at stud. They have certainly lived up to the billing. However in the last two years grand sons of Green Desert have also proven to be just as fruitful. 

Invincible Spirit is undoubtedly the best sire son at present by Green Desert. Among his sons include Lawman who sired three Group 1 winners among his first crop & freshman sire Zebedee. This colt was a leading 2yo of his generation and was also one of the leading first crop sires in 2014, with  Group 1 placed 2yo Ivawood among his first crop. The Green Desert sire line has also hit shores in Australia with I am Invincible, also a son of Invincible Spirit becoming champion freshman sire in Australia and also siring a Group 1 winner among his first crop. Other young sire sons of Invincible Spirit at stud include Mayson, Swiss Spirit, Born To Sea, a 1/2 brother to Sea The Stars & Galileo, Vale Of York and exciting new recruits Kingman, a close relative to Oasis Dream & Charm Spirit. Daughters of Invincible Spirit have proved fruitful producing Group 3 winner Perfect Tribute. 

Sons of Oasis Dream have also proved fruitful at stud. His leading sire son is undoubtedly Group winning 2yo Showcasing, who is the third leading freshman sire in Europe. Other sons of Oasis Dream include Group 1 winning 2yo Arcano, Approve and Captain Gerrard, a leading British based freshman sire in 2013. Oasis Dream is also the dam sire of  Group 3 winners Extortionist, Lacy, Dark Reckoning, Evasives First and Commemorative.

Cape Cross was appearing much quieter as a sire of sires compared to his paternal 1/2 brothers. However the exploits of his champion son Sea The Stars, who sired three Group 1 winners in his first crop have silenced those doubts. Cape Cross is also making his presence felt as a broodmare sire with his successful daughter Ouija Board producing dual derby winner Australia in 2014.

Desert Style has also been in the headlines as a sire of sires. His three time Group 1 winner Paco Boy was the leading freshman sire by number of blacktype horses in 2014. Another son of his, Caradak, is a leading sire in Spain and more widely known in Europe as the sire of Group 1 placed Noozhoh Canarias. Desert Style has also made a name for himself as a dam sire with his daughters producing Group 1 winners Havana Gold, Lethal Force & Sudirman.  

Daughters of Green Desert have also proved very successful broodmares. Among the Group 1 winners include Bracelet, Lucky Nine, Makfi, Wrote, Was, Lyric of Light & Total Gallery.

The phenomenal success the Green Desert sire line has had in Europe this year will ensure that his legacy will live in Europe for generations to come, mainly thanks to the exploits of his sons, daughters, grand sons and grand daughters at stud. 

Pedigree Analysis Top 10's BK1 2014

(1). Bay colt by Galileo x Penang Pearl

      Purchaser: Coolmore 

      Price: 2,500,000gns

There was a surprise in the auction ring when bidding started for this colt at just 5,000gns. It swiftly rose to six figures before eventually stopping at a whopping 2,600,000gns. This athletic colt is a half brother to world champion King George winner Harbinger, now at stud in Japan. They are out of the stakes winning Penang Pearl. This is from the family of Group winners Kind Of Hush & Dusty Dollar. Penang Pearl has a two-year-old unraced brother to Harbinger named Penang Paparaja & a colt foal by Galileo.

(2). Bay colt by Shamardal x Cassandra Go

      Purchaser: John Ferguson 

      Price: 1,700,000gns

This colt was always guaranteed to prove a huge hit & he didn't dissapointed. He probably had more blacktype horses under his first two dams then any other yearling in the sale. He is a half brother to the multiple Group 1 winning Halfway To Heaven, later the dam of Group winner Flying The Flag. Another half sister is the dual Group 3 winning Tickled Pink as well as Group 3 winner Theann. They are out of the top class group winning sprinter Cassandra Go. She herself is a half sister to the top class Verglas winner of the Coventry & placed in the Irish 2000 guineas, he later became a successful sire. Another half sister is the Listed winner Persian Secret, dam of stakes winners Do The Honors & Seba. Cassandra Go is currently in foal to Darley sire Iffraaj. 

(3). Bay colt Dubawi x Crystal Music

      Purchaser: John Ferguson

      Price: 1,600,000gns

This well bred colt was the dearest lot sold by his sire over the three days. He is a half brother to three stakes performers including Cyrstal Moment, Treasury Devil & Chrystany. Another half sister Crystal Maze is the dam of Group 2 winner Ocovango. They are out of the Group 1 fillies mile winner Crystal Music, herself a half sister to the Group 3 winning Dubai Success & his full brother, the stakes placed Tchaikovsky as well as Group 3 winner State Crystal. This is from the family of Listed winner & Group 1 placed 2yo Solar Crystal, later the dam of Group 1 RP Troohy placed Feared In Flight. Crystal Music has a colt foal full brother also by Dubawi to this yearling.

(4). Bay colt by Dubawi x Comic

      Purchaser: John Ferguson

      Price: 1,400,000gns

This well bred colt is a half brother to Viva Pataca formerly known as Comic Strip. He was a listed winner in the UK before moving to Hong Kong where he won the Group 1 QEII cup twice. Another of this yearlings half siblings include the Dansili filly Laughing. She too has made her presence felt overseas being dual Grade 1 winner in America. She also has multiple Graded stakes wins to her record. Their dam the winning Comic is a half sister to Graded stakes winner Brave Act. This is the same family as champion 3yo Australian filly Serenade Rose & Far Hope, a dual Group 1 winner in Italy. Comic is now back in foal to Dubawi. 

(5). Bay filly by Galileo x Gwynn

      Purchaser: Bobby Flay

      Price: 1,250,000gns

This well bred daughter of champion sire Galileo was always one to keep an eye on. She is the only filly that made the 1,000,000 mark. She has a serious pedigree. She is a full sister to the 6L listed winner Kissed, whose career was cut short by injury. Among her half siblings is the 2011 Epsom derby winner Pour Moi & the Group 3 winning dual Oaks placed Gagnoa, later dam of stakes performer Galateia. This is from the family of champion filly Awaasif, dam of the equally high class Group 1 winning Snow Bride, herself dam of multiple Group 1 winner & world champion Lammtara. This is also from the family of champions Hector Protector & Bosra Sham. Gwynn also has a 2yo unraced full brother to this filly named Giant Redwood. 

(6). Bay colt by Street Cry x Meezna 

      Purchaser: John Ferguson

      Price; 1,000,000gns 

Darley suffered a huge blow to their stallion ranks when they lost the hugely talented sire Street Cry. This yearling is the first foal out of dual Group winning Meeznah. She was also placed in the Group 1 Irish & Yorkshire Oaks. She is a half sister the stakes performing duo of Shahin & Mirsaale. They are out of the stakes winning String Quartet, herself an own sister to the dual listed winner Casey Tibbs. This is from the immediate family of Grade 1 winner Sarah Lynx. Meeznah has a colt foal by New Approach.

(7).  Bay filly by War Front x Icon Project

       Purchaser: John Ferguson

       Price: 950,000gns 

War Front is one of the few sought out after American based sires in Europe. So it was no surprise to see his only yearling catalogued in Book 1 prove popular. This filly is the second foal out of the Grade 1 winning Icon Project, also a winner in Britain. She herself is a half sister to the graded stakes winner Lasting Approval as well as to the dam of multiple Graded winner Munnings. They are out of the Grade 1 winning La Gueriere. This is also the immediate family of the high class Group 2 winning & dual Group 1 placed filly Duntle. Icon Project has a colt foal by Frankel. 

(8). Chestnut colt by Galileo x Another Storm

       purchaser: China Horse Club

       Price: 875,000gns

This colt was the top lot sold by his sire on day one. He comes with an attractive pedigree being a half brother to the Grase 3 winning Angel Terrace  as well as the listed winning Sehoy. Another half sibling is the French Group 3 winner Asperity. The second dam is the high class Storm Song, champion 2yo filly in America. She is the dam of four winners including graded stakes placed Balladry. Storm Song has a filly foal by Holy Roman Emperor. 

(9). Chesnut colt by Dubawi x Dash To the Front

       Purchaser: John Ferguson

       Price: 800,000gns

This colt is from one of the top Meon Valley stud families. His dam is a stakes winning half sister to the stakes winning & Group 1 placed Dash To The Top. She herself is the dam of Group 3 plaved Dynasty. The third dam is the multiple Grpup winning Milligram, the grand dam of Group 2 winning Kissogram. The fourth dam is champion 3yo One In A Million, herself grandam of European champion older mare One So Wonderful. Dash To The Front has a colt foal by Nathanial. 

(10). Bay colt by Oasis Dream x Titivation

         Purchaser: John Ferguson

         Price: 775,000gns

This colt is the second foal out of the winning Montjeu mare Titivation. She herself is a half sister to the dual classic heroine Attraction. She has proven to be a good mare as she is the dam is Group 3 winner Fountain Of Youth & the dual stakes placed Cushion. Another of Titivation's half sisters is the Graded stakes placed Federation. This is from the immediate family of Group 1 winner Lord Of Men & the stakes winning & French Oaks second Her Ladyship. Titivation has a filly foal by Makfi. 

Pedigree Analysis: Tiggy Wiggy

This seasons progressive filly Tiggy Wiggy confirmed she had huge ability when running out a pillar to post winner of the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes. Before her Group 1 triumph she was a dominant winner of the Group 2 Lowther stakes. She was also second in the Group 2 Queen Mary behind Anthem Alexander. 

Tiggy Wiggy has now confirmed herself Europe's best two-year-old filly of 2014. She is also the first Group 1 winner by her sire Kodiac, a Danehill half brother to high class sire Invincible Spirit.

She is out of the winning Kheleyf mare Kheleyf Silver. She has one other racing progeny in Iftaar a winning 3yo gelding by  Bushranger. 

Kheleyf Silver is a half sister to Group winner & multiple stakes placed Masta Plasta. The third dam is the winning Anisaata. She is the dam of the listed winning Ras Shaikh, dam of Group 3 Criterion stakes winner Racer Forever. This is also the immediate family of Listed winner & Group 2 Ribbelsdale stakes placed Gallic Star. This is also the immediate family of American stakes winners Magallen, Golden Arrow & French Group 1 placed Bin Nashwan.

Kheleyf Silver has a yearling colt by Big Bad Bob catalogued as Lot 1065 in the upcoming Tattersalls Book 2 sale. She also has a filly foal by Bated Breath. 

 

Finsceal Beo celebrates rare double

Finsceal Beo "Gaelic for living legend" certainly lived up to that billing as a racemare. She was crowned European Chanpion 2yo after wins in the Group 2 Rockfel stakes & the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac. 

Returning as a 3yo, she added the 1000 guineas & Irish equivalent to her already impressive record. She just failed to land he treble when finding Darjina too good in the French 1000 guineas. The Irish classic proved to be her last win. Finsceal  Beo returned as a 4yo but proved abit dissapointing. After a frustrating 4yo campaign. Finsceal Beo was retired to stud. 

By leading sire Mr Greeley, Finsceal Beo is out of the dual stakes placed Musical Treat. She is a half sister to Group winner Frozen Power & the stakes placed pair Musical Bar & Zabeel Park. 

Finsceal Beo's first mate, was champion stallion Galileo. This cross has yet to prove fruitful. The resulting offspring was Finsceal Fior. This colt was sent into training with his dams handler Jim Bolger. However an injury he picked up while in training curtailed his career and he was never seen on the race course. 

Her second cover was to Galileo's world champion half brother Sea The Stars. That produced Too The Stars, who sold as a foal at Goffs in 2011 for a record €800,000. 

She was then sent to Montjeu where that foal subsequently named O'l Man River sold for €2,850,000 to Coolmore as a yearling. 

Finsceal Beo has a yearling full sister to Finsceal Fior & foaled a filly by world champion Frankel this year. 

Finsceal Beo now has a 100% record at stud with her first two runners Too The Stars & O'l Man River both becoming winners, including one at stakes level. She had a rare double today with Too The Stars winning her maiden at Kempton Park & O'L Man River remaining undefeated in two starts in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes. 

Both horses hold Group 1 claims, with O'l Man River a leading ante post favourite for the Epsom Derby. Finsceal Beo has certainly made a thrilling start to her second career. 

"Craftsman proves a Master" at stud

Mastercraftsman exploded onto the racing scene as a two-year-old in 2009. At the time his sire Danehill Dancer was in the process of being crowned champion sire that year.

When Mastercraftsman retired to Coolmore in 2010, breeders were quietly confident he could be a force to be reckoned with. His fee was set at €20,000. A very reasonably priced fee for a dual Group 1 winning two-year-old & classic winning three-year-old. 

His first crop foals sold at auction in 2011 averaged €29,678, with a median of €25,500 for eighteen sold. Mares in foal to him that year averaged €19,377 with a median of €16,876. 

His first yearlings averaged higher then his foals with an average of €46,806 & a median of €30,158. His second crop of foals averaged less then his first crop at €20,957 with a median of €16,666. Mares in foal averaged higher then the year previous at €21,282 & a median of €18,289. 

His second crop of yearlings in 2013 averaged €48,072 & a median of €30,871. His foals that year averaged €37,768 with a median of €36,260, a much better return then the previous year.  While Mares in foal averaged €38,339 with a median of €24,316. 

Mastercraftsman first crop of two-year-olds brought him Group 1 Racing Post Triphy winner Kingston Hill as well as Group 3 winners Craftsman, Amazing Maria, Master Carpenter, The Grey Gatsby & Vague Naouvelle. The success if his first crop led to him becoming Europe's champion First Season Sire of 2013.

Mastercraftsman also shuttles to Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand, where High Chaparral formerly stood before his outstanding success led him to stand at Coolmore's. Australian based farm. His Shuttke crop have also yielded him Listed winner JackOfFall. 

Mastercraftsman's progeny were always expected to train on. Because of the success of his two-year-olds, many people were beginning to turn heads & notice his achievements. When his first crop turned three-year-olds there was great anticipation & also a bit of pressure for his three-year-olds to deliver, just as he had done. 

The Grey Gatsby got the ball rolling when winning the Group 2 Dante stakes, he was also a Group 3 winner as a two-year-old. Mastercraftsman now had two potential Derby horses in The Grey Gatsby & RP Trophy winner Kingston Hill. However connections of the former decided to swerve Epsom & head for the Prix Du Jockey Club. The Grey Gatsby duly obliged becoming his sires first classic winner & second individual Group 1 winner. Just a few weeks later Kingston Hill found all but Australia to good when running a fine second in the Group 1 Epsom Derby. 

The dry summer ment that Kingston Hill wasn't seen out after the derby until the Leger. While The Grey Gatsby had dissapointed on a return trip to France for the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris. 

Mastercraftsman was again in the headlines when The Grey Gatsby finished an honest second to Australia in the Group 1 Juddmonte International. Connections then revealed their colt would tackle Australia again in the Irish Champion Stakes while Kingston Hill was on course for a tilt at Britain's oldest classic, The St Leger.  

Saturday 13th September proved to be a phenomenal day for Mastercraftsman as his two Group 1 runners both came back as Group 1 winners. Kingston Hill was a very good winner of the Leger, while just a few hours later The Grey Gatsby out battled dual derby winner Australia in a thrilling Irish Champion Stakes. 

Mastercraftsman has since jumped to become the fourth leading sire in Europe behind Galileo, Invincible Spirit & Shamardal. He has also jumped ahead of Sea The Stars on the European Second Crop sires list. 

With Danehill Dancer now pensioned, a new generation of sires at Coolmore bid to take up the mantle piece. Mastercraftsman is well on his way to achieving that. 

"Value Sires" first foals

Dragon Pulse

Dragon Pulse set pulses racing in his 2yo career stepping up from his maiden win to winning the Group 2 Futurity stakes from subsequent Dewhurst winner Parish Hall & Derby placed Astrology. Dragon Pulse sold at the Goffs Orby sale for €120,000 as a yearling. He was described as a beautiful looking son of leading sprint sire Kyllachy. Dragon Pulse's first crop foals look the part & I am a huge fan of them. I think they will make a nice profit for the breeders at the sales. Dragon Pulse stands at The Irish National stud for a fee of €6,000. 

Born To Sea

This son of sire of sires Invincible Spirit looks sure to be a hit as a sire with his first foals. He is a 1/2 brother to two young sire sensations in Sea The Stars & Galileo. He is also a half sibling to four other stakes winners/performers. Born to Sea won his debut race, the Listed Blenheim stakes before running second in the Group 3 Killavullen. He also performed creditably as a three-year-old. He stands at Rathaskar stud for €10,000

Harbour Watch

 This attractive looking son of top class sprinter & proven sire of sires Acclamation was an unbeaten 2yo, his wins included the Group 3 Richmond stakes beating fellow Group winner Casper Netscher. Harbour Watch is a 1/2 brother to dual South Afriacn Group 1 winner Europa Point. He is also from the family of top class 2yo colt Timber Country. His first crop look good attractive individuals. Harbour Watch stands at Tweenhills stud for £7,500. 

Requinto

Requinto proved to be one of the top two-year-olds of his generation. He won four of his eight starts included three at stakes level including the Group 2 Molecomb stakes, the Group 3 Richmond & the Listed Danehill Dancer stakes. He is out of top two-year-old Damson. This is from the family of Group 1 2yo Arcano. Requinto's first foals have really pleased me. He stands at Coolmore stud at €4,000. 

Sir Prancealot

This son of Group 1 winner Tamayuz was described by leading trainer Richard Hannon as " a horse with a great attitude & a huge amount of ability". Sir Prancelot won three of his six career starts including the Group 2 Flying Childers & LR national stakes. Sir Prancealot is out of LR winning 2yo Mona Em & is a 1/2 brother to LR winner Nice Appluase. This is from the family of some stakes winning two-year-olds including Maledito, Bufalino & Govoner General. Sir Prancealot should do well with his first foals. Among them is a 1/2 sister to Group 1 2yo Toormore & Group 2 2yo Estidhkaar. He stands at Tally Ho stud for a fee of €6,000. 

Sea The Stars Stallion Career

Sea The Stars set pulses racing during the flat season in 2009, becoming World Champion with wins in the 2000G/Epsom Derby & Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe. 

When it was announced the unbeaten three-year-old would be retired to stud, rumours were circulating that he would be sold to stand in Japan. Thankfully his owners the T'sui's were dedicated to keeping him in Ireland. It was then rumoured that he would stand at The Irish National Stud, where he was foaled and raised & also where his dam the legendary Urban Sea spent until her death in April 2009. It was later announced Sea The Stars would stand at The Aga Khan studs alongside proven Group 1 sires Dalakhani & Azamour. With a fee set at €85,000, 130 mares were booked to the impeccably bred six times Group 1 winner, among them were 90 Group 1 winners/producers. 

Sea The Stars was always guaranteed to become a successful stallion. By leading miler Cape Cross, a son of the top class Green Desert. Sea The Stars was out of Arc winner Urban Sea. His half siblings included Dual derby winner & world leading sire Galileo, dual Group 1 winner & sire Black Sam Bellamy, Group 1 placed pair Melikah & All To Beautiful, Grade 1 winner My Typhoon & LR winning 2yo Born To Sea. 

There was great anticipation when Sea The Stars first crop turned two-year-olds. With 117 registered with Weatherby's. These two-year-olds included some regally bred youngsters out of Group 1 winners such as Alpine Rose, Speciousa, Zarkava, Queens Logic, Finsceal Beo, & Vodka. Sea The Stars profile suggested he would not become a major sire of two-year-olds. He himself won two of his three starts at two including at Group 2 level. While many judges expected that he should sire some Group 1 class two-year-olds. His only stakes winner among his first two-year-olds was Group 3 winner My Titania. However he did get some unbeaten eye catching two-year-olds including Rip Roaring, Taghrooda & Sea The Moon. While it was a fair start for his first crop. Some judges had been dissapointed with Sea The Stars first two-year-olds. However better things were to come. 

It was revealed that Sea The Stars received his lowest book of mares in 2011 which was his second season at stud receiving 87 mares, however his books increased rapidly in 2012 covering 150 mares and decreasing again in 2013 to 96 mares. 

Sea The Stars progeny were always expected to be in demand in the sales ring. His average sales for his first crop of foals in 2011 was €324,085 with a median of €246,305. While he had two mares in foal to him averaging €492,500. 

In 2012 his foal average decreased to €197,010 & the median to €230,000 however he only had three foals up for grabs at auction that year. He had five mares sell in foal to him for an average of €367,000 with a median of €480,000. His first yearlings averaged €248,767 with a median of €180,000. His top priced yearling was Edkhan who sold in Arqana for €1.200,000. 

In 2013 he had sixteen foals sell at auction for an average of €186,375 & a median of €180,000. He had nine mares sell in foal for an average of €224,000 with a median of €170,000. While his second crop of yearlings stood at twenty-three sold for an average of €185,054 and a median of €116,144, a decrease from his first Yearling sales in 2012. His highest priced yearling in 2013 was Globalist who sold for 460,000gns at Tattersalls. 

His first crop of three-year-olds however have brought Sea The Stars to be behind only the exceptional sire Galileo on the European sires of three-year-olds list. He is also the third leading sire in Europe in order of prize money behind only exceptional sires Galileo & Invincible Spirit. He is the sire of NINE individual Stakes Winners including three Group 1 winners. They are dual Group 1 winner Taghrooda, unbeaten German derby winner & Arc favourite Sea The Moon & Prix Alary winner Vazira. While his Group/Listed winners include Zarshana, Anipa, My Titania, Afternoon Sunlight, Sivoliere & All At Sea. 

The exceptional year Sea the Stars has had with his first classic crop will insure that he will continue to be well supported from breeders. His early yearling sales this year already look to become some of his best with two yearlings in the top 10 at Arqana at prices of €700,000 & €600,000. He has thirty-five yearlings catalogued in the prestigious Tattersalls Book 1 yearling sale in October, while at Goffs Orby sale he has eight yearlings. The Aga Khan Studs have also announced that due to high demand for Europe's most exciting young stallion Sea The Stars will cover a limited book of mares to Southern Hemisphere time. 

(Photo from pedigree query blog)

Pedigree Analysis: Wise Dan

America's favourite horse returned this evening with a battling victory over the progressive Optimizer in the Grade II Bernard Beruch stakes at Saratoga. This was Wise Dan's first racecourse appearance since his colic battle. The seven-year-old superstar showed he still retained his ability battling to a narrow win, and all roads lead to a third victory in the Grade I Breeders Cup Mile. 

Wise Dan has won the last two consecutive runnings of the Grade I Breeders Cup Mile & Woodbine Mile, when he won them in 2012 & 2013. He is the first horse ever to win Eclipse Awards in consecutive years with titles including American Horse Of The Year, Champion Older Male & Champion Male Turf Horse in 2012 & 2013. Wise Dan has won over ten Grade I races and amassed prize money of over $6,000,000. 

Wise Man never went through a sales ring as he is owned & bred by business man Morgan Frink. He is the best horse sired by Graded winner Wiseman's Ferry, a son of Hennessy. Wiseman's Ferry began his racing career in Ireland winning his maiden & being placed in the Group 1 Pheonix stakes behind his paternal 1/2 brother world champion 2yo Johannesburg. Wiseman's Ferry was transfered to the states where his biggest success came in the Grade II Virginia Drrby. He has had a reletive career at stud. 

Wise Dan is out of the winning Lisa Danielle, named after Morgan Frink's grand daughter. She is by South African champion Wolf Power & out of the unraced Askmysecretary, a daughter of Triple Crown winner Secretariat.

 Wise Dan is a half brother to multiple Graded winner Successful Dan, while his half sister is the stakes winning Our Royal Dancer, also dam of Argentinian stakes placed Bailando Boy. Lisa Danielle has a 2yo half sister by Afleet Alex named Afleeting Lisa. 

The second dam Askmysecretary is the dam of Grade I Hollywood Oaks placed Carsona, herself dam of dual Graded winner Siphon City. Another of Lisa Danielle's half sisters include Sunup, dam of Amistad, who was champion 3yo filly in Panama. 

The third dam is French stakes winner Liquoila, a full sister to Group 1 French Derby winner Roi Lear. 

It is quite unfortunate that Wise Dan is gelded as we will never get the pleasure of seeing this champions progeny on the track. But in a way his loyal fans can be guaranteed to see him racing for a few more seasons providing he is 100% sound. An exciting season lies ahead with this outstanding horse known affectionaly by some followers as "Dan The Man" 

Broodmare Focus: Talent

Talent's name always indicated that the daughter of derby winner New Approach was out of the ordinary & she certainly proved that she very talented. Trained by Ralph Beckett, Talent was a homebred of Ashbrittle Stud. 

The filly started out her career in a maiden at Newbury as a 2yo. She came third that day. She was seen out a few weeks later in a maiden at Kempton. She duly obliged winning by a neck. She was then put away for the season. Talent made her 3yo debut in the Listed Pretty Polly stakes, a trial for the Epsom Oaks. In her stakes debut she won comfortably enough. Talent was then put away for the following months Group 1 Epsom Oaks with connections quietly confident that she would play a massive role in the race. Talent lived up to her billing when running out a 3 length winner of the fillies classic at 20/1. She performed dissapointingly in the Irish Oaks before producing a career best in the St Leger. It is fair to say Talent hasn't performed as credibly this year & after a dissapointing few starts the filly was retired to stud. 

Talent is the second foal out of the stakes placed mare Prowess. She has also produced Skilful, a stakes placed 1/2 brother to Talent. She has a 2yo unraced full sister to Talent named Forte & a yearling colt by Fastnet Rock, who sold to Coolmore for 320,000gns as a foal last year.  

Prowess, a daughter of Peintire Célèbre is a 1/2 sister to a pair of stakes performers/producers in Genoa & Clipper, the dams of stakes winners Brindisi & Mister Tee, who was also placed in the Group 2 Futurity stakes. They are out of the Group 3 Rockfel stakes Yawl. 

The third dam Bireme, was also successful in the Epsom Oaks. She went on to produce Group 2 placed Sambuk & is the grand dam of listed winner & Group placed Staying On. This is also from the family of Group 1 winners Nannina, Mail The Desert & Norse Dancer. 

Talent's pedigree means that she is open to some top class sires like Oasis Dream, Dubawi, Invincible Spirit & Dansili. Being a grand daughter of Galileo, she could be given the option of going to a son of Galileo which has been practised widly in breeding. If she were mated with a son of Galileo for example Frankel, the resulting foal would be inbred 2x3 to the exceptional sire and 4x4 to champion broodmare sire Rainbow Quest. A mating that sounds fascinating would be with Galileo's 1/2 brother the brilliant Sea The Stars, he shares the same sire line as Invincible Spirit & Oasis Dream plus he is having an exceptional year at stud. 

Talent is without doubt a very valuable asset to Ashbrittle Stud's broodmare band.  

Broodmare Focus: Marvellous

Marvellous confirmed she was a talented filly when winning the Group 1 Irish 1000G. She later started favourite for the Oaks but finished sixth behind Taghrooda. Her last race was in the Irish Oaks where she again dissapointed when finishing in eighth. She has since been retired by Coolmore. 

Marvellous is bred on the same Galileo/Storm Cat cross as multiple Group 1 winner Misty For Me. Marvellous is the first foal out of 2yo Group 2 Cherry Hinton stakes & Group 3 Swordlestown stud stakes winner You'reSoThrilling. She is a full sister to multiple Group 1 winner & champion sire Giants Causeway. Her other full siblings include stakes performers Freud, Roar Of The Tiger, Tumblebrutas & Tiger Dance, each of them were Group placed. 

Marvellous second dam is the ultra tough mare Mariah's Storm. A daughter of Rahy, she was a multiple Graded winner & was also Grade 1 placed. Mariah's Storm has made a huge impact as a broodmare with Giants Causeway being one of North America's most successful sires. Mariahs Storm herself is a half sister to Panoramic, a Group 2 winner in France, he was later placed at Grade 1 level in America. They are out of Grade 3 winner Immense. This is also from the immediate family of Grade 1 placed Quest Star. 

You'resothrilling seems to be following in her dams hoofprints as a successful broodmare. Her second foal is 2yo maiden winner Gleneagles, a brother to Marvellous, there have been good reports about his ability from Ballydoyle & he is clearly one to note. He has some Group 1 entries later on in the year. You'resothrilling's yearling is a Galileo sister to Marvellous & Gleneagles.  

Pedigree Analysis:Tapestry

Tapestry produced a career best performance today when gunning down the previously unbeaten Taghrooda in the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks. Tapestry was a leading 2yo last year, winning the Group2 Debutante stakes. She was always highly regarded at Ballydoyle. A a result of the high regard for the filly she was made favourite for the 2014 1000 Guineas. Making her seasonal debut Tapestry trailed in a dissapointing last. The filly wasn't seen out till June that year when running a good race in the Group 1 Coronation stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting. Tapestry then found her stable mate Bracelet, too good in the Irish Oaks before winning this Group 1.

Tapestry has got a beautiful pedigree. She is a daughter of leading sire Galileo & is out of dual Group 1 winning 2yo Rumpelstiltskin. Tapestry is bred on the same Galileo/Danehill cross as Group 1 winners Frankel, Maybe, Teofilo, Roderic O'Connor, Nobel Mission & Golden Lilac. 

Tapestry's dam Rumplestiltskin was a leading 2yo filly at Ballydoyle in 2005. Her wins including the Group 1 Moyglare & Prix Marcel Boussac. At stud Rumplestiltskin has produced five living foals all by Galileo. Her produce record stands at four runners, four winners. Tapestry is her first Group 1 & blacktype winner. Rumplestiltskin's other winners included maiden winner Why, ill-fated 2yo maiden winner Theatre, Tapestry & recent  five length maiden winner John F Kennedy. Rumplestiltskin has a yearling colt by Galileo. 

Tapestry's second dam is Monevassia, an own sister to champion miler & Group 1 sire Kingmambo & Group 3 winner Miesque's Son, while she is a 1/2 sister to Group 1 French 1000G winner East Of The Moon. They are out of the brilliant ten time Group 1 winning mare Miesque.

Rumplestiltskin is Monevassia's best progeny to date but in 2014, her 2yo daughter I Am Beautiful by Galileo's Group 1 winning son Rip Van Winkle won the Group 3 Grangeown stud stakes. Monevassia has a yearling colt by champion Australian sire Fastnet Rock. 

Tapestry will be sure to take her place in Coolmore's broodmare band. Future targets have not yet been discussed, but with her improving all the time she is defiantly a filly to keep an eye on as the season progresses. 

Arqana August Yearling Sale: Top Five Lots

Lot 1 Bay Filly by Monsun x Sesuela (Dashing Blade)

Price: €1,200,000

Buyer: Tony Nerses

This filly was the star attraction of the sale and rightly so. She is a full sister to German Oaks winner Soberania, while her half brother Seismos was also a Group 1 winner & another half sister Samba Brazil is a dual Group winner. Their dam Sesuela, herself is a half sister to five times Group 1 winner Sciapperelli, whose wins included the German Derby, dual Group 1 winner Samum, who also won the German Derby & German Oaks winner Salve Regina, who was second in the German derby. Sciapperelli, Samum & Salve Regina are also all by Monsun, making them 3/4 siblings to this filly. Another of Sesuela's 1/2 sisters is the unraced Sanwa, the dam of unbeaten German Derby winner & Arc favourite Sea The Moon. Sasuela's 2yo is a full brother to this filly named See The White, he is owned by Godolphin. 

Lot 178 Bay Colt by Invincible Spirit x Prudenzia (Dansili)

Price: €1,100,000

Buyer: Peter & Ross Doyle

This colt was also has star quality written all over him. He is a 1/2 brother to Ish Oaks winner & Goffs record breaker Chicquita, who cost €600,000 at this sale in 2011. While his other 1/2 sisters include 2yo winner Sinnamary, who sold at this sale for €1,000,000 in 2012. They are out of the LR winning Prudenzia, herself a 1/2 sister to Group 3 winner Pacifque, also by Montjeu. This is from the immediate family of Triple Oaks winner Alexandrove, Group 1 winning 2yo Magical Romance & Group 2 Lancahsire oaks winner Pongee. Prudenzia has a 2yo full sister to Sinnamary named Truth, who was sold in 2013 for €1,000,000 at Arqana. She is in training with Aidan O'Brien. 

Lot 81 Bay Filly by Galileo x Dance Secretary (Danehill Dancer) 

Price: €1,000,000

Buyer: Anthony Stroud B/S

This filly is the first foal out of Group 3 Irish guineas trial winner Dance Secretary. She is a 1/2 sister to American Grade 1 miler Perfect Soul, as well as Grade 3 winner Dimonthia. This is from a well known American family of Stakes winners including multiple LR winner Sand Ridge, LR winner Grade 1 Placed StopShoppingMaria & Grade 1 winner Flashy Bull.

Lot 30 Bay Filly by Invincible Spirit x Tonnara (Linamix)

Price: €850,000

Buyer. MV Magnier

This filly looks Ballydoyle bound after being secured by Coolmore who know the family. Coolmore stand this fillies 1/2 brother Most Improved, who won the "sire making" St James Palace stakes he was also placed in the Dewhurst as a 2yo . This fillies other 1/2 brother Ectot, is also a Group 1 winner, when he won the Criterium as a 2yo last year. They are out of Tonnara, herself out of LR winner Mahalia. Tonnara is a 1/2 sister to Group 3 & LR winning Albisola, while another 1/2 sister is Group 3 winner Bufera. Tonnara has a colt foal full brother to this yearling filly. 

Lot 140 Bay Colt by Dansili x Mambo Light (Kingmambo) 

Price: €850,000

Buyer: MV Magnier

This colt is also Coolmore bound & it's also a family they know well. He is the third foal out of the stakes winning Mambo Light. She is a 1/2 sister to dual Group 3 winner & broodmare Dietrich. Her progeny include the Group winning Beauty Bright. The second dam Picqotnil was second in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac. She is a full sister to dual Group 1 winner Chimes Of Freedom, who went on to become a successful broodmare. Among her progeny are Grade 1 winners Aldebaran & Good Journey. Among Picqotnil's other 1/2 siblings include four time Grade 1 winner Denon, Imperfect Circle dam of multiple Group 1 winner & sire Spinning World. This is from the immediate family of Group 1 2yo Pathfork. Mambo Light has a colt foal by Invincible Spirit. 

Broodmare Focus: Bracelet

The outstandingly bred Bracelet was always guaranteed a place at stud, even before she became a valuable stakes winner. Bracelet ran six times, winning four of them including at Gr1 level. Her biggest success came when she won the Irish Oaks from Gr2 winner Tapestry & Epsom oaks third Volume. Also beaten down the field was Epsom oaks runner up Tarfasha. 

Bracelet, on her pedigree alone was always worth a few bob, but with a valuable fillies classic added to her CV, she is estimated to be worth over €10,000,000. Bracelet is by the late champion sire Montjeu, an exceptional source of Derby winners, he also does get the odd talented filly. He is starting to make good progress as a dam sire. 

It is Bracelet's exceptional dam line that most likely makes up half of her estimated cost. She is a daughter of the Group placed mare Cherry Hinton. From her first three foals, she produced Wading, a 2yo Group 2 winning full sister to Bracelet, her second was Lake Michigan, also a full brother he was unraced due to injury & is standing as a dual purpose sire at Park House Stud. Bracelet was next and she now has a yearling colt by Australian champion sire Fastnet Rock, making this colt inbred 3x3 to exceptional sire Danzig & 4x4 to the breed-shaping sire Northern Dancer. 

Cherry Hinton is a half sister to four individual Group 1 winners including dual derby winner & world champion stallion Galileo, Guineas/Derby & Arc winner Sea The Stars, who is also a leading young sire, Black Sam Bellamy, a dual Gr1 winning brother to Galileo & also a Group 1 sire, LR winning 2yo & Irish derby placed Born To Sea and Grade 1 winner My Typhoon, who sold for a world record 1,800,000gns as a foal. Among Cherry Hintons other half sisters include Epsom Oaks runners up Melikah & All To Beautiful. Melikah is already the dam of Group winner & Group 1 placed Masterstroke, & is grand dam of Group 2 wining Khawlah. While All To Beautiful produced Epsom oaks placed Wonder Of Wonders, as well as Group 3 placed Sparrow. 

They are all out of Arc winner Urban Sea, who needs little introduction. Urban Sea's sons or daughters were responsible for this years Epsom/Irish derby winner Australia (Galileo), unbeaten Epsom Oaks & King George winner Tagrhooda (Sea The Stars), runaway German Derby winner & Arc favourite Sea The Moon (Sea The Stars) & of course Irish Oaks winner Bracelet (Cherry Hinton). 

Montjeu crossed with Green Desert mares proved very successful, while his daughters mater with Green Desert sires has also produced Group 1 winners most notably Charm Spirit, (By Invincible Spirit out of a daughter of Montjeu). Two high class Green Desert sons available in Europe are Oasis Dream & Invincible Spirit, however with Green Desert being Bracelet's broodmare sire I don't see those matings being tried as I feel it's too close inbreeding which I'm personally not a fan of. 

Bracelet was retired shortly after her Irish Oaks win. Her sister Wading produced her first foal in America, when producing a filly by world class War Front, a son of Danzig. Coolmore have heavily supported War Front with some other high class maiden mares including LR winner Kissed, who produced a colt by the champion American sire. War Front for me would be a big favourite although I wouldn't rule out Coolmore's own champion American sire Giants Causeway, the sire of My Typhoon as a potential candidate. 

"Value" sires with first Yearlings in 2014

(1) Roderic O'Connor

This dual Group 1 winner has been a long time favourite of mine. Roderic O'Connor was a tough 2yo winning the Criterium International & being runner up to Frankel in the Dewhurst stakes. He then won a weak renewal of the Irish 2000 guineas. Roderic O'Connor is by proven sire of sires Galileo & is bred on the same sensational Galileo/Danehill cross as leading sire Teofilo as well as champion Frankel. His first foals proved popular at the sales with some individuals fetching up to €50,000. Roderic O'Connor stands for around €9,000 at Ballyhane Stud. 

(2). Lilbourne Lad

Lilbourne Lad was a very consistent & high class 2yo and was unlucky not to win a Group 1 when he was second in the Middle Park stakes. He was a Group 2 winner, when winning the Railway stakes and also won the LR Rochestown stakes. Lilbourne Lad was mainly retired to help cover some of the mares that were originally booked to his sire Acclamation. Lilbourne Lad has the credentials to be a nice Freshman sire for 2015. His first foals were very warmly recieved with some fetching up to €100,000. He stands at Rathbarry stud for €7,500. 

(3). Dick Turpin

Dick Turpin ran six times as a 2yo winning four times including when successful in the Group 2 Richmond stakes. He came back as a 3yo establishing himself as a leading miler when winning the Group 1 Prix jean prat beating Group 1 winner Siyouni. He was also second in the French 2000 guineas, St James Palace stakes and the 2000 guineas. He came back as a 4yo to be crowned champion older horse in Italy, when winning the Group 1 Premio Vittorio di Capua, Milan. Dick Turpin's first foals were nice strong individuals with one foal fetching 70,000gns at Tattersalls. His first yearlings should do well and he looks a nice bargain for breeders at £4,000. He stands at the National Stud in the UK. 

(4). Frozen Power

Frozen Power ran six times as a 2yo winning three times including the LR Prix haras De la huberie. At three he won the German 2000 guineas and was also second in the Group 3 UAE 2000 guineas. Frozen Power has a great pedigree being a 1/2 brother to Group 1 winner Finsceal Beo, who was a European champion 2yo & 3yo. Frozen Power himself sold for €500,000 as a yearling. His first foals sold for up to €82,000. He stands alongside Roderic O'Connor at a fee of €3,500. 

(5). Zoffany 

Zoffany was a leading 2yo winning the Grouo 1 Pheonix stakes and Group 3 Tyros stakes. He will be best remembered as the horse who got closest to the exceptional Frankel, when beaten 3/4 of a length into second in the Group 1 St James Palace stakes as a 3yo. Zoffany is also a 1/2 brother to Group 3 winning 2yo Wilshire Boulevard. Zoffany's first crop were all the rage with some fetching up to 130,000gns. He stands at Coolmore for a fee of €7,500. 

(6). Elusive Pimpernel

Elusive Pimpernel was a high class 2yo wen second in the Group 1 RP trophy. He also won the Group 3 Craven stakes as a 3yo. Elusive Pimpernel shares his family with high class filly Snow Fairy & proven sire Big Bad Bob, whom he stands alongside. Elusive Pimpernel stands at just €1,000 at the Irish National Stud. His first foals sold reasonably well with some fetching up to €33,000. I am anticipating how is yearlings will fare in the coming weeks. 

Montjeu as a sire of fillies.

Years ago breeders questioned Montjeu's ability to get a Group 1 class filly. While this champion Group 1 winner was siring plenty of high class colts, his inability to produce a top class filly led some breeders to worry. 

When Montjeu's first crop arrived on the scene he was awarded with derby winners Motivator & Hurricane Run. While other first crop sons included Walk In The Park second in the Group 1 Epsom Derby & Scrorpion winner of the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris. 

Montjeu's best daughter that year was undoubtedly Dash To The Top. She won her 2yo maiden at the second time of asking & on just her third ever career start was beaten just over a length by Playful Act in the Group 1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile. Dash To The Top won her 3yo stakes debut before being a well beaten favourite in the Group 1 Irish Oaks. Her best performance at Group 1 level was when she was only beaten 1/2L in the Yorkshire Oaks. She was then retired after refusing to race in the Group 2 Prix De Royallieu Barriere. 

Two other first crop daughters of Montjeu were runaway Zetland stakes winner Ayam Zamen & the multiple LR & Group 2 winner Montare. Ayam Zamen was fatally injured in her Group 1 debut while Montare broke her Group 1 duck in the Prix Royal Oak. 

In the crops that followed, Montjeu had only one filly Montare, rated above 110+, he had sixteen horses in total rated above 110+ In the flat year of 2007. 

The next year didn't prove much better for Montjeu's daughters. His top rated daughter that year was Group 2 winner Albisola, she had proved dissapointingly in Group 1 level. She was rated 116+ that year while the seventeen other horses by Montjeu rated above 110+ were colts including Irish derby winner Frozen Fire & Grand Prix De Paris winner Montmartre who had a rating of 126+. 

The next few seasons brought top class colts Fame And Glory  & the ill-fated Saint Nicholas Abbey on the scene. Both were multiple Group 1 winners between them. 

Montjeu's Group 1 drought with his fillies finally ended in 2011 when he scored a Grade 1 double in America courtesy of Miss Keller (EP Taylor Stakes) & Sarah Lynx (Canadian International), Clowance was also narrowly beaten by her paternal 1/2 brother Saint Nicholas Abbey in the Coronation Cup. She had also been second to Alandi in the Irish St Leger. The year 2012 would prove to be a memorable one for Montjeu when his son Camelot scored in the 2000guineas and Derby double to remain unbeaten. He lost his unbeaten run when only beaten 3/4 of a Length by Encke in the St Leger, narrowly missing out on the Triple Crown. 

It would be two years till a daughter of Montjeu won a Group 1 when Chicquita ran out an impressive winner of the Irish Oaks, she later sold for €6,000,000 to Coolmore at that years Goffs Breeding stock sale. Montjeu has again made headlines this year siring the winner of the Ascot Gold cup in Leading Light & pulling off a rare fillies classic double when his regally bred daughter Bracelet ran out a game winner of the Irish Oaks today. 

While Montjeu had to wait a long time to get a Group 1 winning filly, his daughters have been quick to get him started as a broodmare sire. Daughters of Montjeu have produced Group 1 winners Obviously (Choisir), Charm Spirit (Invinvible Spirit), NZ Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina ( Savabeel) & Parish Hall (Teofilo). Group winners out of Montjeu's daughters include Australian Group winners Faciascura (Oratorio), Moozoon (Perfectly Ready), Malandrino (Darci Brahma) & French Group 2 winner Restiadargent ( Kendargent). 

Montjeu seems to have a clear liking for Green Desert mares which have produced Group 1 winners Charm Spirit & Bracelet. Montjeu's last crop which numbers 31 are yearlings this year. It would be something special if he can provide another memorable year for himself. He is a truly missed sire. 

Urban Sea "The Legacy of one of Racing Histories best ever broodmares"

When Urban Sea retired at the end of the flat season in 1994, no one could have foreseen the impact this mare would have on the European breeding industry. Urban Sea had a lot going for her when she did retire to stud. She proved herself an outstanding race mare when she captured the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, defeating fourteen Group 1 winners in the Autumn of 1993. Urban Sea was also placed in the Prince Of Wales stakes. She returned as a five-year-old being placed in the Group 1 Prix Ganey & Coronation cups, before her career was curtailed by an injury to her fetlock.

Urban Sea not only was an outstanding racemare, she also possessed an outstanding pedigree. Her dam was  Group 3 winner Allegretta. Urban Sea is a 1/2 sister to Group 1 2000G winner Kings Best, later a Group 1 sire and the Group 3 winner Alez les Trois, herself dam of Group 1 French derby winner Anabaa Blue. Alez les Trois is also the grand dam of Group 1 miler Tamayuz, who is currently standing at Shadwell's Derrinstown stud. Urban Sea's other 1/2 sisters include the stakes placed Turbaine, dam of Group 3 winners Tertullian and Terek. Another of Urban Sea's 1/2 sisters Anzille, is the dam of German Group 1 winner Anzillero.

Their dam Allegretta was from a very successful stakes winning family. Her full siblings include German Group 2 winner Alya, champion German 3yo colt Anno, who was a dual Group 2 winner and the Listed winner Arionnette, later dam of Listed winner Andronikus. While her 1/2 siblings include multiple Group winner and Group 1 placed colt Anatas. The next dam was the stakes winning Anatevka, a sister to stakes winners Antuco & Algarve.

Urban Sea's produce record is as follows:

Name:  Urban Ocean (Bering) 

YOB:  1996:  

Race Record: Gallinule stks Group 3, Mooresbridge stks LR

Stud Record:  sire of a handful of 80+ rated horses, now a jumps sire at Kilbarry Lodge stud (IRE)

Name:   Melikah (Lammtarra)

YOB:  1997

Race Record:  LR Pretty Polly stakes, 2nd Group 1 Irish Oaks, 3rd Group 1 Epsom Oaks

Produce Record:   2002 B.F Vallrica (Selkirk), dam of Gr3/Gr2 winner Khawlah 

                               2003 CH.C Lunar Landscape (Giants Causeway), placed in maidens in Dubai

                               2006 B.C  Valedictory (Dubai Destination), winner 

                               2007 B.C Burj Nahar (Shamardal), twice winner 

                               2008 B.C Chief Of Staff (Pivotal), winner at 2 in France

                               2009 B.C Masterstroke (Monsun), Gr wnr, 3rd in Gr1 Arc de Triomphe, sire in France

                               2010 B.G Urban Dance (Street Cry), 2yo mdn & H'cap winner 

                               2011 B.F Hidden Gold (Shamardal), dual winner in UK in 2014

                               2013 B.C Unamed (Cape Cross), 3/4 brother to champion Sea The Stars

                               2014 B.C Unamed (Dubawi)

Name:  Galileo (Sadlers Wells)

YOB:  1998

Race Record:  Champion EU 3yo, dual derby & King George winner

Stud Record:  Multiple champion sire of over 40 Gr1 winners inc Frankel (GB), leading sire of sires

Name:  Black Sam Bellamy (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 1999

Race Record:  Dual Gr1 winner inc. Tatts Gold Cup & Gran premio del jockey club

Stud Record: sire of Gr1 wnr Earl Of Tinsdel & seven 100+ rated horses, stands at Shade Oak Stud (UK)

Name: Atticus (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 2000

Race Record: Unraced

Stud Record:  Unknown

Name: All To Beautiful (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 2001

Race Record: LR & Gr3 wnr, 2nd in the Gr1 Epsom oaks

Produce Record:  2007 B.F All For Glory (Giants Causeway), Unraced 

                              2008 B.F Wonder Of Wonders (Kingmambo), LR wnr, dual Gr1 Oaks placed 

                              2009 B.F Along (Smart Strike), ran three times in Ireland

                              2010 B.C Victory Song (Dansili), won mdn race as a 3yo in 2010

                              2011 B.F Sparrow (Oasis Dream), 2yo mdn wnr, Gr3 pl in 2014

                               

Name: My Typhoon (Giants Causeway), 1.800,000gns foal

YOB: 2002

Race Record: Grade 1 Diana stks wnr, also multiple Graded winner

Produce Record:  2009 B.G He's A Cyclone (Smart Strike), winner in USA

                              2010 CH.C Endorphins Fly (Distorted Humor), ran a few times in USA

                              2012 B.F Tsunami of Love (Bernardini), 2yo unraced-to-date 

                              2014 B.C Unamed (Tapit)

Name: Cherry Hinton (Green Desert)

YOB: 2004

Race Record: Gr3 Blue Wind stks placed

Produce Record: 2009 B.F Wading (Montjeu), 2yo Gr2 wnr, foaled a colt by War Front in 2014 in USA

                              2010 B.C Lake Michigan (Montjeu), unraced, jumps sire at Park House Stud (IRE)

                              2011 B.F Bracelet (Montjeu), dual Gr wnr in 2014 inc Gr2 Ribblesdale stks 

                              2012 B.F Simply A Star (Giants Causeway), stakes placed 2yo in 2014

                              2013 B.C Unamed (Fastnet Rock)

                              

Name: Sea's Legacy (Green Desert)

YOB: 2005

Race Record:  unraced 

Stud Career:  standing first season in France in 2014

Name: Sea The Stars (Cape Cross)

YOB: 2006

Race Record:  2yo Gr2 wnr, world champion 3yo inc 2000G/Derby/Arc de Triomphe

Stud Record: Two classic winners in first crop 3yo's in 2014, Europe's hottest young sire

Name: Born To Sea (Invincible Spirit)

YOB: 2009

Race Record:  2yo LR debut wnr, placed in the Gr1 Irish Derby

Stud Record: First crop are foals in 2014, standing at Rathaskar stud (IRE)

                              

                                

Urban Sea has lived up to her family's outstanding success. Not only is she the dam of two high class stallions, her daughters are also following in her trend. Sadly Urban Sea died after foaling Born To Sea but thanks to the success of her progeny, her name will live on through generations of Group 1 winners. This years Epsom derby festival was a memorable one for Urban Sea, with both her derby winning sons Galileo & Sea The Stars siring both classic winners. Taghrhooda ( Sea The Stars) was a three length winner of the Oaks. While Australia (Galileo) was as equally impressive in the derby, he later followed up in the Irish equivalent. While Taghrhooda is a hot favourite to win this weekends Irish Oaks.  As the famous saying goes success runs in the family. 

(Urban Sea & Group producing broodmare Cherry Hinton as a foal in 2004)

Date with Destiny: a legacy of George Washington

When George Washington was officially retired to stud at the end of the 2006 Flat season. Many breeders were already booking their high quality mares, so that they could produce the next generation of top class milers. George Washington was an unbeaten Gr1 winning 2yo & classic winning three-year-old. His win in the 2006 2000 Guineas beating subsequent Epsom Derby winner Sir Percy, was among one of the best displays by a young horse in a major European classic. George Washington was beaten in the Irish version due to an injury. But he came back at the end of the season to win the QEII at Ascot. He was then retired to his owners Coolmore stud in the hope that, he could take up the mantle left by his own outstanding sire Danehill. 

George Washington had an outstanding sires pedigree. He was by the all conquering sire Danehill, who was just at the time proving himself as a sire of sires. George Washing was out of the Alysheba mare Bordighera. She herself was stakes placed as a three-year-old. George Washington was also a half brother to the high class Group 1 winner Grandera. 

The 2007 breeding season had begun & the future looked very bright for George Washington, meanwhile Coolmore were nurturing another son of Danehill in HolyromanEmporer for another victory in 2000 guineas. However on the 10thMarch  2007 Coolmore suspended George Washington from covering duties due to severe fertility problems. To accommodate the breeders who had booked mares to George Washington, Coolmore brought in the nearest replacement Group 2 winning & Group 1 placed 2yo HolyromanEmporer. 

George Washington returned to training later that year. It turned out that he did get one mare in foal. That mare was Flawlessly, carrying the only ever George Washington foal. Meanwhile George Washington was under performing on the racecourse, this is often a regular problem with top class horses that return from covering duties. George Washington failed to win a single race that year & was tradigically killed when running in the 2007 Breeders Cup Classic. 

However his legacy has been passed down through Flawlessy filly foal. On the 4th February 2008, the Irish National Stud who boarded Flawlessy announced that she had produced a filly foal. There was much anticipation when it was announced later that year that Tattersells were to sell the only foal in the world by George Washington at their annual Tattersalls December foal sale. The filly boasted a nice pedigree. She was a half sister to the dam of group 3 winner & group 1 placed Best Name. While her half siblings were Group winner Ombre Legure, later dam of Japenese Group winner Germinal. The filly didn't disappoint selling for 320,000gns to Peter & Ross Doyle on behalf of Julie Wood. 

Named Date With Destiny, she was placed in the care of Richard Hannon. Date With Destiny got off to the perfect start winning on her debut at Newbury in July 2010. That proved to be her only win in 7 career starts. But she was stakes placed in the LR Lancashire Oaks. Date With Destiny returned to the Tattersalls ring in December 2011. She sold to John Warren Bld'stk for 185,000gns. 

Date With Destiny is now currently at Newsells Park Stud in England as a broodmare. She currently has a yearling filly by champion sire Galileo and was covered by Group 1 winner Nathaniel this year. Her offspring are eagerly awaited as they will be the only foals ever with George Washington as their dam sire.

Date With Destiny

Broodmare Focus: Quevega

Quevega proved herself to be one of jumps racing best race mares when this year she won the Grade 2 David Nicholson mares hurdles a record six times, becoming only the second horse ever to win at the Cheltenham six times. Golden Miller is the only other. Quevega was also a four time Grade 1 winner when she won the Ladbrokes series hurdle a record four times. This year she just failed to make it a fifth when finding Jetson too strong. Shortly after that defeat Willie Mullins announced her retirement. 

Quevega is the beat racehorse under her first three dams. Although some of her siblings managed to win races, none were as near Quevega in terms of ability. Some of her winning siblings include Little Vega, Sivega & Monvega. She also has a 5yo full brother named Vivega, he was third on his debut & like his sister is in the care of Willie Mullins. He is owned by Mrs Sussanah Ricci. 

Quevega's second dam Nigrella is unraced but did produce some winners at stud. Her winners included Ajask & Hesck both were winners over jumps. The third dam Escarbille II is the dam of Mir II a winner over jumps four times in France. 

Since her retirement Quevega was covered by Beat Hollow. A son of Sadlers Wells and Oaks winner Wehymiss Bight, he hails from the same Juddmonte family as top class flat sire Oasis Dream & this seasons leading miler Kingman. Beat Hollow stands at Ballylinch as a dual purpose sire. 

He has sired some very good horses on the flat including Group 1 winner Proportional & Royal Ascot Group 2 winner Sea Moon. His winners over jumps include Grade 1 winners Cinders And Ashes & Hollow Tree as well as multiple graded winners over hurdles. 

Quevega is a jewel as a broodmare. Not only has she a fantastic record but her pedigree is open to all the major jumps sires in Ireland & Britain. Racing eagerly anticipates her first foal. I would love to see what a mating with four time Gold Cup winner Yeats could produce. 

(Quevega with another racing legend in Hurricane Fly) 

Broodmare Focus: The Fugue

The Fugue has been a mare of consistency and proved to be a top class mare winning four Group 1 races. One of her best wins was in the Irish Champion Stakes in 2013, where she beat top middle distance performer Al Kazeem and that years Irish Derby winner Trading Leather. Her other wins included the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes beating dual Group 1 winner Magician & Prix De Arc De Triomphe winner Treve. Her other top flight wins were in the Naussau stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks. 

The Fugue is owned and bred by Watership Down Stud, also breeders of another multiple Group 1 winning mare in Dar Re Mi. The Fugue is the first top flight winner for her dam. She is a half siater to minor winner Susan Stroman, while her full brother Ducab was also a minor winner. They are out of Group 2 placed Twyla Tharp, who has an unraced 2yo colt by Shamardal named China Club & a yearling filly by Oasis Dream.

Twyla Tharp is a 1/2 sister to two individual Group 1 winners. They are QEII winner Summoner also a winner at Group level & Coral Eclipse winner Common Admiral, who was a European champion 3yo. This is also the family of multiple Group winners Arvada & Ardagio. 

The Fugue is an interesting mare to retire to the paddocks. She has to be considered an exceptional broodmare prospect with her record and pedigree. Her sire Dansili is the broodmare sire of two Group 1 winners in Irish Oaks winner Chicquitta (Montjeu) & Middle Park Stakes winner Astaire (Intense Focus). Daughters of Dansili have also produced Stakes Winners with Walk In The Park (son of Montjeu), High Chaparral, Zafeen, Intikhab, Selkirk & Nayef. 

I'm not a close fan of too near inbreeding so I wouldn't be quick to choose an obvious sire like Galileo as he is by The Fugue's dam sire in Sadlers Wells. One sire in particular that strikes out for me is Giants Causeway. A top class racehorse himself & has proved himself to be a top class Gr1 sire. He is the grand sire of Astaire while his son Shamardal is the sire of The Fugue's 1/2 brother China Club. I do question weather connections would send The Fugue to the states when there is plenty of other sires to choose from here in Europe. Proven Group 1 sires like Oasis Dream, Invincible Spirit & Dubawi, who is a fascinating outcross. While there is also proven young sires like New Approach & the top class Sea The Stars, my guess is that they will choose a much more proven sire for The Fugue's first mating. 

(The Fugue winning the Naussau Stakes) 

Pedigree Profile: Sea The Moon

Sea The Moon kept his unbeaten record in tact with a facile victory in the Group 1 German Derby. Although the field wasn't a true high class field it did include Group winners Geoffrey Chaucer, Lucky Lion, & Magic Artist. Sea The Moon's impressive 11L victory says to me that he should be more then capable of taking on some of Europe's finest in the coming weeks. Before his Group 1 victory Sea The Moon was a dual Group winner. He was a Group 3 debut winner and followed that win up in the Group 2 Oppenheim-Union Rennen. 

Sea The Moon comes with a top class German family. His dam the unraced Sanwa is a full sister to three individual Group 1 winners. They are five time Group1 winner Schiaparelli and dual Group 1 winner including German Derby hero Samum and also Salve Regina, a Group 1 winner she went on to produce Grade 2 winner Salve Germania. Sanwa is also a half sister to the dams of Group 1 winners Sortilege, Seismos and his 1/2 sister the German Oaks winner Soberania, who is also by Monsun. 

The second dam Sacarina was unraced but is a 1/2 sister to Group 3 winner Lady Member, herself dam of Group 3 Jeresey stakes & Group 2 Mill Reef stakes placed Brave Owen. Sea The Moon is the only colt racing by his sire out of a Monsun mare. 

Sea The Moon was sent to the 2012 Tattersalls Book 1 October yearling sale. He was led out unsold at 230,000gns. It was a wise decision by his breeders Gestut Gorldorf as he is now worth much more then that. Sea The Moon has a yearling full sister already named Sea The Sun. She made 320,000gns at last years December foal sale and was bought by Christopher Tsui who owned and bred her famous sire. Sea The Sun is currently in the care of her sires handler John Oxx. 

Sea The Moon's prospect as a future stallion is already well established but if he can go on to win prestigious Group 1 races in France, England & Ireland he will further enchance his stud value. His owner has stated that it is unlikely that he will stand in Germany as they may not get the best mares for such an illustrious colt. With that in mind and more european Group 1's to his name preferby the Prix De Arc de Triomphe, I can see the France, UK or Ireland being the place for him to stand at stud when he does retire. 

(Sea The Moin draws away for an empathic success in the Gr1 German Derby) 

(Sea The Sun showm here as a foal selling for 320,000gns to Sunderland Holdings)