(1). Zebedee (IRE)
Grey horse by Invincible Spirit x Cosy Maria (Cozzene)
Standing: Tally Ho Stud
With the encouraging start Invincible Spirit has got off to as a sire of sires, Zebedee, for me looks to be a force to be reckoned with when his first runners make their debuts in the coming weeks. Zebedee himself proved to be a major two-year-old of his generation. A winner on his debut he was a dual stakes winner winning the Group 3 Molecomb stakes and Group 2 Flying Childers. These wins proved that he was one of the fastest two-year-olds of his generation. Richard Hannon described him as "one of our star two-year-olds with a great turn of foot" while jockey Richard Hughes described him a "one of the fastest two-year-olds in the yard". Zebedee's yearlings were all the rage last year with a colt fetching 220,000gns while others sold for 120,000gns & €100,000 etc all conceived at a fee of €5,000. Zebedee should get fast precocious types that can compete and win at stakes level and I would be very surprised if he wasn't battling for Freshman Sire honors.
(2). Fast Company (IRE)
Bay horse by Danehill Dancer x Sheezalady (Zafonic)
Standing: Rathaskar Stud
Fast Company was also a leading two-year-old of his generation and was behind only subsequent derby winner New Approach on the 2yo European list. A winner on his debut he followed that up by winning the Group 3 Acomb stakes beating triple Group 1 winner Camponologist. He stepped up in grade considerably on his third and final start when running New Approach to the line in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes beating Group 1 winners Ravens Pass & Rio De La Plata. It was a real shame Fast Company never ran again as he had the scope to improve with age. A son of proven sire of sires Danehill Dancer, he is out of a half sister to high class filly Hawajiss. Fast Company's yearlings were in consistent demand with some individuals fetching €260,000, €150,000, €120,000, 82,000gns etc. A fine profit from a service fee of €5,000. He should be capable of getting some stakes horses.
Fast Company (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)
(3). Lord Shanakill (USA)
Bay horse by Speighstwon x Green Room (Theatrical)
Standing: Irish National Stud
Lord Shanakill was a very consistent performer as a two & three-year-old. At two he won the Group 2 Mill Reef stakes and was second in the Dewhurst \& third in the Prix Morny. As a three-year-old he won the Group 1 Prix jean prat and was also a winner of the Group 2 Lennox stakes. He is one of the first stallion sons in Europe by Speighstown who has taken America by storm in recent years. Lord Shanakill is suberbly bred with his dam being a half sister to Grade 1 winner Chain Fern, and his second dam being a full sister to Irish 1000 guineas winner Al Bahathri, dam of classic winner Haafhd. Lord Shanakill is also from the family of champion two-year-old Hearts Of Fire and Heatseeker, a Grade 1 winner in America he was Group 1 placed as a two-year-old in Europe. Lord Shanakill's yearlings sold for up to €160,000 with good remarks of his first yearlings. He stands at €5,000 and I would be hoping that he has a good start with his first crop.
Lord Shanakill (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)
(4). Rip Van Winkle (IRE)
Bay horse by Galileo x Looking Back (Stravinsky)
Standing: Coolmore
Coolmore currently house the reigning champion freshman sire with Mastercraftsman and they have another exciting candidate in Rip Van Winkle. Rip Van Winkle ran three times as a two-year-old winning twice including when scoring in the Group 3 Tyros stakes at Leopardstown. At three he became champion miler when winning the Group 1 Sussex stakes and the Group 1 QEII. He returned at four to win the Juddmonte International stakes at 10 furlongs beating Group 1 winners Twice Over & Byword. Rip Van Winkle was also placed in the Group 1 Irish champion stakes, Sussex stakes & QEII as a four-year-old. Of all the top class sons sired by Galileo only the exceptional Frankel is rated higher by Timeform, With yearling prices of up to €400,000, the Rip Van Winkles are hugely exciting. He will stand this year at €20,000.
Rip Van Winkle
(5). Showcasing (GB)
Bay horse by Oasis Dream x Arabesque (Zafonic)
Standing: Whitsbury Manor Stud
Showcasing was a fast two-year-old & is to date the fastest Gimcrack stakes winner ever. He was also placed in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes & was a higher rated two-year-old than his 1/2 brother Camacho, who sired over five two-year-old stakes winners in 2013. His dam was a stakes winning daughter of Group 1 Cheveley Park stakes winner Prophecy. Showcasing had yearlings sell for 150,000gns, 120,000gns, 100,000gns. He stands at £4,500 and is an interesting sire to follow with his juvenile runners.
Showcasing (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)
(6). Approve
Bay horse by Oasis Dream x Wyola (Sadlers Wells)
Standing: Morristown Lattin Stud
Approve deserves to be included in this list. He was a dual group 2 winning two-year-old when winning the Gimcrack stakes & Norfolk stakes at Royal Ascot. He was also placed at Group 1 level. Approve was quickly snapped up for stud duties after his two-year-old campaign. His foals & yearlings were very warmly received. Approve's second dam is a 1/2 sister to Culture Vulture who was a dual Group 1 winner as a two-year-old. Approve is also from the family of champion 3yo miler Zilzal. I liked his yearlings and hope that he can do well with hits first crop. At €5,000 he is very good value.
Approve (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)
