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.
Excellent write-up. I might add his accomplishments have been achieved with mares not necessary of the quality being sent to Sea The Stars.
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