Zarkava set for a date with stars

Unbeaten Arc winner Zarkava is scheduled for a repeat visit to Gilltown Stud resident Sea The Stars this season after she delivers to Siyouni. The seven time winning daughter of Zamindar has already produced the Group winning and classic placed Zarak from a mating with Darley colossus Dubawi. Zarkava's first mating with Sea The Stars produced the ill-fated Zarkash, who suffered a fatal injury while training at Alain Royer Dupre's base in France. She has an unnamed two-year-old filly by Frankel and a yearling colt by Invincible Spirit. 

Value Freshman Sires to follow 2016

Bated Breath
Dansili x Tantina
Juddmonte Farms
A superb sprinting son by sire-of-sires Dansili and a half-brother to Cityscape. His first juvenile crop which numbers approximately 104 contains a  half-sister to star miler Kingman who has been named Present Tense. First crop yearlings averaged £47,856 with a top price of £230,000 paid by Al Shaqab for a colt out of stakes producer Condition. He will stand his fourth consecutive season at £10,000.

Born To Sea
Invincible Spirit x Urban Sea
Aga Khan Studs
Equipped with possibly the best sires pedigree in the stud book, this exciting sire will bid to close the final chapter of Urban Sea's legacy in style when his first crop of 87 juveniles take to the racecourse this year. With yearling averages of £37,208 and a top priced €320,000 colt from the family of Group 1 two-year-old Belardo, subsequently named Posidon. He will cover his 2016 year at a fee of €10,000.

Casamento
Shamardal x Wedding Gift
Dalham Hall
High class performer at two, winning the Racing Post Trophy and winning a Group 3 in France in his classic year. By the sire of 2014 champion Freshman Lope De Vega, he is also a half-brother to the dam of high class miler Toronado. His first yearlings averaged £37,028 and his top priced yearling was a £200,000 half-sister to leading sprinter Hot Streak. His first crop numbers 119 and he will stand his first season in Britain at a bargain fee of £5,000.

Dragon Pulse
Kyllachy x Poetical
Irish National Stud
Gorgeous looking precocious son of sprint sire Kyllachy and from the family of high class two-year-old Shalaa, Dragon Pulse looks a sire that could possibly prove a good source of two-year-olds. His first yearlings averaged £25,288 with a top price of €120,000 for a colt at Goffs. His first crop numbers 84 and he will stand his fourth season at €5,000.

Harbour Watch
Acclamation x Gorband
Tweenhills Farm
Unbeaten Group winning son of sire-of-sires Acclamation, from the family of champion two-year-old Timber Country and a half-brother to dual Group 1 heroine Europa Point. First yearlings impressed many and averaged £30,017 with a top priced of €130,000 for a filly from the family of Royal Ascot two-year-old Elletelle, dam of Australian Group 1 winner Adelaide. His first crop numbers 131 and his fee will remain at £7,500.

Sir Prancealot
Tamayuz x Mona Em
Tally-Ho Stud
High class Group 2 winning two-year-old, half-brother to Listed winner Nice Applause. By an the sire of Group 1 sprinter G Force & His first yearlings were warmly received with averages of £23,037 and  top prices of £100,000. He will be represented by 106 two-year-olds including a half-sister to high class juveniles Toormore and Estidhkaar. His fee for this year is €6,000.

Broodmare Career: Ventura

Ventura was also a minor winner on the race course, however she has certainly cemented herself as a considerable broodmare to note. A daughter of Spectrum, she is out of the Group/Grade 3 winner Wedding Bouquet. The second dam is Doff The Derby, thus making this mare a close relatation to some high class horses including dual Derby winner Generous and Oaks heroine and Group 1 producer Imagine. Ventura was bought by Coolmore at the 2011 Tattersalls December Mare Sale for 900,000gns.

The following is the full list of current progeny out of Ventura.

2003 CEDAR MOUNTAIN B.C by Galileo
Winner at Listed level in America, he has placed five times including second in a Grade 2 handicap.

2004 SARAFSA B.F by Selkirk
This filly was unraced.

2005 LAKUTA B.F by Pivotal
This filly was a winner of two races in France.

2007 EXTREME GREEN B.F by Motivator
A winner of a race and placed.

2008 MOONLIGHT CLOUD B.F by Invincible Spirit
This mare became a true high class miler. Moonlight Cloud won six times at the highest level. She won the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest a record three times. Other wins included the Jacques les Marois. Prix de la Foret and the Prix du Moulin. She is also best remembered as the horse who came the closest to defeating unbeaten Australian superstar Black Caviar when just touched off in the Golden Jubilee. Moonlight Cloud recently foaled a colt by Galileo and will be bred back to him.

2010 SATIN BOX CH.F by Manduro
This filly was a €400,000 yearling at the Arqana sale. She was unraced. She foaled a filly by world champion Frankel last year.

2011 WHEN IN DOUBT B.F by Montjeu
This filly ran four times in France, placing twice.

2012 STARS AND CLOUDS B.F by Makfi
This filly was a €360,000 yearling at Arqana. She won her debut and only start by 1/2 a length last October. She has an entry in he 1000 guineas. This filly is also trained by Freddy Head.

2014 Unnamed B.C by Galileo

Broodmare Career: Ezima

Ezima proved herself a top filly from a mile to a mile six furlongs. By Sadler's Wells, she was bred to be a stout stayer. Ezima was not a prolific racemare but she was a triple listed winner and Group 3 placed. Trained by Jim Bolger she won the Savel Beg Stakes, Trigo stakes & the Rathbarry Finale stakes, all at listed level. Ezima is out of the unraced Ezilla. She is a full sister to Ebaziya, a listed winner and later the dam of Ascot gold cup winners Enzeli & Estimate and Irish and French Oaks winner Ebadiyla, she in turn is the grand dam of Grade 1 hurdler Ebaziyan. Another close relation is Edabiya, winner of the Group 1 Moyglare stud stakes. Ezima was sold to her current owners Shadwell for 320,000gns at the 2008 Tattersalls December Mare Sale.

The following is the current list of progeny produced by Ezima since her retirement to stud

2010 Unnamed B.C by Tamayuz

2011 TAGHROODA  B.F by Sea The Stars
Taghrooda became her dams flag-bearer. An unbeaten 2yo, she came back as a 3yo winning her debut in the listed pretty polly stakes by 6 lengths. She then went to epsom for the Oaks winning by 3 lengths before going on to win the King George by 3 lengths. She ran good races in defeat when   running a fine second to Tapestry in the yorkshire oaks and third in the Arc. She has now been retired and will be covered by leading miler Kingman.

2012 MAKTABA B.F by Dansili
This filly is currently unraced.

2013 TAQAAREED  B.F by Sea The Stars

2014 HALAALHY BR.F by Raven's Pass

Broodmare Career: Imagine

Imagine proved herself a top class racemare. She was champion 3yo filly in Ireland in 2001 having taken the Irish 1000 guineas, she later followed that up with a decisive win in the Epsom Oaks.

Her pedigree was also very appealing. She is a daughter of the champion Sadler's Wells out of the top producer Doff The Derby. Imagine wasn't her only Classic winner as she is also the dam of dual Derby winner Generous, he failed to make an impact at stud. Imagine is also a sister to the stakes winning Strawberry Roan. 

The following is the list of progeny produced by Imagine

2003 HORATIO NELSON B.C by Danehill

Horatio Nelson proved to be his dams best runner. He was an outstanding two-year-old winning the Group 1 Prix Jean Luc Lagadere. He lost his unbeaten 2yo run to Derby winner Sir Percy in the Dewhurst by an agonising 1/4 of a length. He was never the same colt and sadly broke down and was later euthanised in the Derby. 

2004 RED ROCK CANYON B.C by Rocj Of Gibraltar 

Red Rock Canyon wasn't as illustrious as his 1/2 brother but he proved to be a very solid Group runner with placings in the Tattersalls Gold Cup & Irish Champion Stakes. 

2005 KITTY MATCHAM B.F by Rock Of Gibraltar 

A full sister to Red Rock Canyon, this filly too proved to be a very solid performer. She was a winner of the Group 2 Rockfel stakes as a 2yo. 

2007 VISCOUNT NELSON B.C by Giants Causeway 

Viscount Nelson proved to be a useful 2yo winning the listed Coolmore Hurricane Run stakes. He was also second to Poets Voice in the Group 2 Champagne stakes. He later became a dual Group 2 winner in Dubai. 

2008 GUESSING B.F by Kingmambo

Guessing proved dissapointing finishing unplaced in two starts. She is now a broodmare. 

2010 POINT PIPER B.C by Giants Causeway

Point Piper won a three year old maiden for Coolmore and subsequently finished second in a handicap at Naas. Subsequently sold to America he recently ran in a claiming race where he was unplaced. 

2011 ADESTE FIDELES B.F by Giants Causeway 

This filly won a maiden at Dundalk last October. 

2012 ASSAGHER B.C by Giants Causeway 

This colt was trained by John Gosdon and won his 2yo maiden last December at Kempton by three lengths. He is owned by HH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled. 

2013 Unnamed B.C by War Front 

2014  Unnamed B.F by War Front 

Broodmare Career: Alexandrova

Alexandrove certainly raised the bar in the summer of 2006. The impeccable bred daughter of Sadler's Wells proved an unstoppable force from 10-12F. 

Alexandrova started her career in the Listed Balanchine stakes. Also in the field was Group 1 placed pair Ugo Fire & Ardbrea Lady, She finished 6th. Alexandrova got off the mark in a maiden at Tralee before finding all but Nannina too good in the Group 1 Fillies mile on just her fourth start. 

She made her classic season campaign in the Group 3 Musidora, she was beaten by the talented Short Skirt. Alexandrova then contested the Group 1 Epsom Oaks where she had the second horse six lengths behind her. She then followed up in the Irish oaks over a month later and completed the treble in the Yorkshire Oaks. She had cemented herself as a truly outstanding mare and a hugely exciting broodmare prospect for Coolmore. 

As well a having three Group 1's to her name, Alexandrova also had the pedigree. She was a 3/4 sister to Group 1 2yo Magical Romance, who later sold for a world record 4.600,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mare sale in 2006. 

Alexandrova was also a full sister to Masterofthehorse, who was third in the Derby. The family recieved a page boost in 2013 when close relative Chiquitta won the Irish Oaks. 

The following is the full current list of progeny produced by Alexandrova 

2009 DROPS B.F by Kingmambo

Drops failed to make an impact on the racecourse, having four starts she placed once. Drops was sold in foal to Frankel for 750,000gns to Stillfield Bloodstock at the 2013 Tattersalls December Mare sale. 

2010 BELLA QATARA B. F by Dansili

Bella Qatara was also lightly raced. She was a maiden winner in France for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani and was trained by Alain Royer-

Dupre.

2011 ALEX MY BOY B.C by Dalakhani 

This colt is by far his dams best runner. He won his 2yo maiden at Musselborough. He was also listed placed and looked a lively contender for the St Leger before dissapointing, eventually finishing eighth. 

2012 FONTEYN B.F by Oasis Dream 

This filly tragically died as a 2yo. She was in training with Aidan O'Brien. 

2013 Unnamed B.F by Fastnet Rock

2014 It was reported that Alexandrova was sent to America and was subsequently covered by leading sire War Front. As I am aware she is still owned by the Coolmore partners 

Value Freshman sires to follow for 2015

 Roderic O'Connor

This good looking son of Galileo certainly has the potential to go very far with his first two-year-olds. He is bred on the same Galileo/Danhill cross as Group 1 sire Teofilo. Roderic O'Connor proved a consistent two-year-old winning two of his four starts and placing twice. His wins included the Group 1 Gran Criterium before coming a good second in the Group 1 Dewhurst beaten only by the mighty Frankel. He came back to form in winning the Irish 2000 guineas. Roderic O'Connor win three of his nine starts at two and three. Roderic O'Connor is a full brother to two-year-old stakes winner Dazzling, while his third dam Durtal was a European champion 2yo. His first yearlings proved popular with many fetching six figures including a colt at Keeneland who sold for $185,000. The statistics bode well for Roderic O'Connor with his paternal half brothers Teofilo, New Approach & Rip Van Winkle all siring Group 1 winners among their first crop. Those sires like Roderic O'Connor were also Group/Group 1 winners as two-year-olds. 

Lilbourne Lad

This son of Acclamation was unlucky not to win a Group 1 as a two year old. Both of his stakes wins came in Ireland. He was also second in the Middle Park stakes. Lilbourne Lad was a very tough and consistent juvenile. In eight of his career starts he either won or placed. He won three races including two at stakes level. His dam Sogno Verde is a half sister to Irish Leger placed Pugin. They are out of Gothic Dream herself placed in the Irish Oaks. The third dam Dark Lonond was a champion stayer in Ireland winning the Irish Leger. Being a son of sire of sires in Acclamation, Lilbourne Lad has a good chance of becoming a leading two-year-old sire. 

Wooten Bassett

This son of leading sire Iffraaj was an unbeaten two year old. He became champion two year old in France with a win in the Group 1 Priz Jean Luc Lagardere. He has very good credentials to be a leading freshman sire. Iffraaj is a half brother to the dam of the leading two year old filly Katla. This is also from the family of leading stayer Silver Patriarch. 

Zoffany

A son of the all conquering Dansili, Zoffany certainly has the credentials to become a leading freshman sire. He won five of his seven two year old starts including the Group 1 Pheonix stakes and the Group 3 Tyros stakes. Zoffany proved to be a top three year old, placing in both the Prix Jean Prat and St James Palace stakes, where he just failed to catch Frankel by 3/4 of a length. Zoffany is a 1/2 brother to Group 3 winning two year old Wilshire Boulevard. This is also the family of Ernest Hemingway. Dansili has yet to be seriously tested as a sire of sires. But signs are encouraging with one of his first sire sons Harbinger siring a Group 3 winner among his first crop in Japan. 

Frozen Power

This son of emerging sire of sires Oasis Dream also has good credentials to be a leading freshman. He himself was a good two year old winning three of his six starts including at listed level. Frozen power also won the Group 2 German 2000 guineas as a three year old. He is a 1/2 brother to champion 2yo filly Finsceal Beo. 

Dick Turpin

I have always been a fan of this horse and he deserves to be on this list. Not only does he represent good value like the above mentioned but he also proved a top racehorse. Dick Turpin won the Group 2 Richmond as a 2yo. He trained on at three to win the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat. He also placed in the French 2000 guineas and St James Palace. While as a 4yo he became champion older horse in Italy winning the Premio Vitterio Capua Milan. 

Sea The Stars book of mares in 2014

Alexander Youth

All Hallows'

Almamia

Altesse Imperiale

Always Awesome

Angel Of The Gwaun

Angels Will Fall

An Saincheann

Aquarelle Bleue

Aquila D'Oriente

Aquamarine

Art Of Dance

Awesome D'Oro 

Baliyana

Blancmange

Bracing Breeze

Bright Snow

Boston Rocker

Cap Coz

Champagnelifestyle  

Chantilly Pearl

Child Bride

Coolee Marj

Crystal Mountain

Crying Lightening 

Cut Short

Darinza

Dhanyata

Diamond Tango 

Divine Authorit

Directa Princess

Drifting

Drops

Djumama

Elle Woods

Edaraat

Estefania

Eswarah

Ezilla

Fontley

Foreign Tune

Forest Crown

Fresnay

Goldenzye

Good Karma

Gotlandia

Greenisland

Grenadia

Guessing 

History Note

Hoity Toity

Holy Moon

Hypotenuse

Ice Mint

Imprecation

Irish History

Jessica's Dream

Jumooh

Kinetica

Kithonia

Kitty Matcham

Lady Springbank

Last Night Snow

Lidanski

Liffey Dancer

Loreto

Louvain

Luce

Lucy Cavendish

Mad About You

Mahaatheer

MeetYouThere

Mooakada

Mooney Ridge

My Love Thomas

Naruko

Night Fairy

Noyelles

Ocean Talent

Palitana

Paraisa

Praesepe

Precious Gem

Prime Run

Princess Patsky

Qawaafy

Ragiam

Ready To Lift

Recreation

Rezyana

Sabreon

Sagawara

Sahel 

Saldentigerin

Sassenach

Scarlet And Gold

Sea Of Heartbreak

Seducing

Sentaril

Shamooda

Shebella

Silent Serenade

Silk Cocoon

Silver Grey

Snowfields

Solita

Soodad

Speedsong

Stairway To Glory

Stella Senzo Cielo

Step Lightly

Sudden Blaze

Summers Eve

Swizzle Stick

Temple Street

Tequila Sunrise

Twinkling

Vale Montovani

Wosaita

Frankel's book of mares in 2014

African Rose
Alix Road
Aspara
Arabesque
Arbela
Arrive
Aspiring Diva
Attraction
Alta Stima
Azores
Bethrah
Beatrice Aurore
Binche
Caponata
Card Shop
Caressor
Casydora
Cast In Gold
Casual Look
Chigun
Crystal Maze
Crystal Music
Crystal Star
Danedream
Darysina
Dash To The Front
Debonnaire
Dream Peace
Diary
Edens Causeway
Ellbeedee
Emirates Queen
Emulous
Etoile Montante
Esentepe
Faithfully
Fame At Last 
First
Forever Bond
Funny Girl 
Guaranda
Giofra
Hathrah
Harmonous
Half Moon
Heat Haze
Hidden Hope
Honest Quality
Honorine
Hot Snap
Hoyam
Hurry Home Hillary
Infallible
Instance
Jiboom
J'aray
Karens Caper
Kinnaird
Lady Jane Digby
Lady Linda
Lady Vettori
L'ancresse
Latice
Laurelei
Lasilia
Lightening Pearl
Light Up My Life
Magic Tree
Maid Of Kileen
Majestic Sakeena
Mambo LIght
Manerbe
Memory
Midday
Midsummer
Moonlights Box
Moonstone
Nausicaa
Nebrasca Tornado
Night Frolic
Nouvelle Noublesse
Only Green
Peeress
Penne
Penny Frost
Perfect Tribute
Pertinence
Place Vendome
Plante Rare
Pollys Mark 
Popular
Proportional 
Purring 
Plumba
Quest To Peace
Ramruma
Red Dune
Revered
Restiadargent
Riberac
Redafa
Rosamixa
Rose \Of Summer
Ramoush
Sariska
Sasuela
Scuffle
She be Wild
Shimmering Surf
Ships Biscuit
Shotgun Gulch
Sortita
Spinola
Tarocchi
Time Saved
Trojan Queen
Tyranny
Victrix Ludorum 
Vodka
Waldmark 
Wannabe posh 
What A Name
Where
Winsili
Wild Coco
Windsurfing
Without You Babe
Wizz Kid
You'll be |Mine
Zaminast
Zarkava
Zenda

Value Sires with first Yearlings in 2015

Dragon Pulse

This good looking son of top sprinting sire Kyllachy, looks sure to be a big hit with buyers with his first yearlings. His first foals proved very popular with some individuals fetching up to €95,000. He also had a colt fetch 50,000gns at the Tattersalls December foal sale. I'm expecting Dragon Pulse to sire good fast two-year-olds that will be precocious from 5F to a mile. He stands at The Irish National Stud for a very reasonable fee of  €6,000. 

Sir Prancelot

This colt was also a tough speedy juvenile winning the Group 2 Flying Childers stakes and also the Listed National stakes. His first foals were very warmly recieved with prices of €110,000, €70,000, €63,000. He proved just as popular at Tattersalls with a filly fetching 120,000gns. Among his first yearlings is a 1/2 sister to leading 2yo's Toormore & Estidhkaar. Like Dragon Pulse, he should get fast early types. He stands at Tally Ho Stud at a fee of €6,000. 

Casamento

The gorgeous looking son of sire of sires Shamardal proved a big hit with his first foals. He is also a 1/2 brother to the dam of Group 1 winner Toronado. Casamento was also a classy 2yo winning the Racing Post Trophy. His foals at Goffs sold for €210,000, €110,000, €60,000, €50,000 etc. While at Tattersalls he had prices of up to €100,000gns. Casamento stands at Kildangan Stud for a fee of €5,000.

Elzaam

Elzaam is without doubt an interesting young sire to the European ranks. He is an Australian bred son of top class sire of sires Redoutes Choice. He was placed in the Coventry stakes and Richmond as a 2yo. His foals at Goffs made €82,000, 62,000, €60,000 etc. His progeny at Tattersalls also fetched 34,000gns, from just five foals offered. Elzaam's fee in 2015 is just €3,500. 

Bated Breath

This horse retired to stud with a very similar profile to his own very successful sire Dansili. Bated Breath was a Group 2 winner & proved a high class sprinter being runner up in no less than four Group 1 races. His only foal at Goffs made €17,500, but his stock at Tattersalls were in high demand with prices of 110,000gns, 95,000gns, 85,000gns, 70,000gns, 60,000gns etc. Among his first yearlings is a 1/2 sister to four time Group 1 winner Kingman. Bated Breath stands at Juddmonte Farms at a fee of £10,000. 

Born To Sea

This horse is probably the best bred sire with first yearlings this year. He is stakes winning 2yo 1/2 brother to sire sensations Galileo & Sea The Stars. While his 1/2 sisters include Group/ Group 1 producers Cherry Hinton & Melikah. As expected Born To Sea was one of the leading freshman sires at the sales last year. His first foals were in phenomenal demand with prices at Goffs going up to €220,000 for a half sister to leading 2yo Bailtha Aga. He also had prices of €120,000, €95,000 €80,000 etc. At Tattersalls his progeny were making 110,000gns, 100,000gns, 70,000gns, 65,000gns. Born To Sea is one of my favourites to be a leading freshman next year. He stands at Gilltown Stud alongside Sea The Stars for €10,000.

 Harbour Watch

Harbour Watch was an unbeaten colt winning all his three starts including the Group 2 Richmond. Unfortunatly he didn't race as a 3yo. He is from an outstanding family. His half sister Europa Point was a dual Group 1 winner in South Africa. This is also the immediate family of leading 2yo Timer County and Group 1 French derby winner Intello. His second dam is also a sister to the dam of world champion Dubai Millenium. Harbour Watch is also by sire of sires Acclamation. He had a small number of foals representing him at Goffs but they were making €38,000, €28,000 etc. while at Tattersalls he had prices of 240,000gns, 100,000gns. Harbour Watch stands at Tweenhills Farm for £7,500. 

Requinto

This young sire should defiantly be capable of siring very fast precocious two year olds. He himself was a very tough 2yo winning the Group 2 Flying Childers and Group 3 Molecomb stakes. He won four of his eight starts at two. His dam Damson, was also a champion two year old winning the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and also winning the Group 1 Pheonix stakes. Requinto's first crop at Goffs made €85,000, €55,000, €40,000, €35,000 etc. His progeny at Tattersalls made up to 43,000gns from just four foals offered. His fee for 2015 is €4,000. 

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.