EUROPEAN FRESHMAN SIRES OF 2003

Below is a summary of the main European stallions with their first runners in 2003. To have your stallion included contact postmaster@flatracing.net.

A C D E F G I K L M O P R S T V

ACAMBARO (GER)
gr.1996
Goofalik - Astica, by Surumu
Gestüt Ohlerweiherhof, Germany
He probably won't have many runners outside of his native land but given the success being enjoyed by the German breeding industry at present it would be foolish to overlook Acambaro as potentially a sire of Pattern winners. By the Group 2 winning Lyphard horse Goofalik and advertised as fully booked for his initial year at stud, Acambaro won the Grosser Müller-Brot Preis (Group 2) and was runner-up to Flamingo Road in the Deutsches Derby (Group 1). Goofalik has not yet had any other stallion sons with runners so it is hard to know how he will fare as a sire of sires. The Lyphard line has enjoyed mixed success in this regard and while such as Bien Bien (by Manila), Second Set and Unblest (both by Alzao) have only enjoyed brief moments of success, Dancing Brave is responsible for leading young Japanese sire Commander In Chief, a dual Derby winner when trained in England. Acambaro is out of Astica (by Surumu). She was twice Listed placed and is also responsible for high class young National Hunt performer Auetaler (by Niniski). Her dam Auenliebe (by Pentathlon) was also multiple Listed placed and was a half-sister to the dam of high class sprinter Auenklang (by Big Shuffle).

ARTAN (IRE)
b.1992
Be My Native - Cambridge Lodge, by Tower Walk
Gestüt Westerberg, Germany
A son of top National Hunt sire Be My Native, Artan was amongst that former Coronation Cup (Gr1) winner's earlier, Flat-bred crops. He was a top class mile to ten furlong performer (Gr1 Premio Presidente della Republica, etc.) and is out of Cambridge Lodge (by Tower Walk), a minor winner as a three-year-old, also responsible for five-time hurdle winner Fontaine Lodge (by Lafontaine) and out of a half-sister to champion filly Val D'Erica (by Ashmore). She won both the Premio Regina Elena (Gr1) and Oaks d'Italia (Gr1) in 1981 as well as runner-up in the Prix de Diane (Gr1) and fourth in the Prix Vermeille (Gr1). Val D'Erica was also champion two-year-old filly in Italy and her grandson is an interesting stallion prospect.

AUENADLER (GER)
b.1992
Big Shuffle - Auenmaid, by Luciano
Gestüt Rheinberg, Germany
A high class sprinter that won 14 of 38 starts including the Grosser Preis von Baden (Gr3) and Benazet-Rennen (Gr3), Auenadler is a son of former Irish sprint champion Big Shuffle (by Super Concorde), a stallion that has excelled as a sire in Germany where he has twice been champion sire of two-year-olds. Recent generations of Auenadler's family don't present any real evidence to suggest he can make an impact as a sire though some famous German performers of yesteryear feature in distant branches, for example Classic winners Augias (Derby), Amorino (Derby), Alejana (St Leger) and Aufbruch (St Leger). He is an interesting stallion prospect.

CAPE CROSS (IRE)
b.1994
Green Desert - Park Appeal, by Ahonoora
Kildangan Stud, Co Kildare
Top class miler by the sire of successful Gr1 sires Desert Sun (La Bella Dama, Sunline), Desert Style (Bachir, Next Desert) and Desert Prince (Mail The Desert) as well as the stallions such as Owington (one crop including Gr2 winner Jemima), Sheikh Albadou (Group winners) and Magic Ring (Group winners), Cape Cross has been popular in the auction ring. Out of 1984 Moyglare Stud Stakes (Gr1) and Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr1) heroine Park Appeal (by Ahonoora), he is a half-brother to the dam of top sprinter Diktat (by Warning - first yearlings in 2003) and Pattern winning juvenile filly Kareymah (by Zafonic). His granddam was that remarkable producer Balidaress (by Balidar), responsible for such as Desirable (by Lord Gayle) and Alydaress (by Alydar) winners, respectively, of the Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr1) and Irish Oaks (Gr1), as well as Gr1 placed Irish Pattern winner Nashamaa (by Ahonoora), the sire of Gr3 scorer Cool Edge from limited opportunities. Desirable, of course, went on to become the dam of Shadayid (by Shadeed), Dumaani (by Danzig) and Fath (by Danzig), all Pattern winners. Classic heroine Shadayid, who died last year at the age of 14, was, in turn, the dam of Bint Shadayid (G3W by Nashwan) and Listed winners Alshadiyah (by Danzig) and Imtiyaz (by Woodman). Dumaani has been moderately successful as a sire in America while Fath, another close relative of Cape Cross, stands his first season at Rathasker Stud this year. Cape Cross has a large first crop to represent him and he can be expected to figure prominently amongst the leaders on the freshman sires table at the end of the year.

CROCO ROUGE (IRE)
b.1995
Rainbow Quest - Alligatrix, by Alleged
Japan - formerly Irish National Stud
Croco Rouge covered 88 mares in Ireland before moving to Japan but should have plenty of representatives on the track both this year and next. Winner of the Prix Lupin (Gr1) and Prix d'Ispahan (Gr1) and placed in the Prix du Jockey-Club (Gr1), Prix Ganay (Gr1), Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) and Arc (Gr1), he is a half-brother to Alidiva (by Chief Singer), the Stakes winning dam of Gr1 winners Taipan (by Last Tycoon), Sleepytime (by Royal Academy) and Ali-Royal (by Royal Academy). The latter, winner of the Sussex Stakes (Gr1), died young but his second crop is headed by Tout Seul, winner of the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr1) last year and potentially a leading miler in 2003. Rainbow Quest stallions have not yet set the world alight though his Derby winning son Quest For Fame has sired a string of Gr1 winners in Australia, Panoramic is responsible for American Gr1 winning mare Tuzla from limited opportunities, Spectrum has chipped in with Guineas and King George hero Golan and Australian Gr1 scorer Spectatorial, while Saumarez has sired Pattern winners.

DAGGERS DRAWN (USA)
ch.1995
Diesis - Sun And Shade, by Ajdal
Ballyhane Stud, Co Carlow
A flashy chestnut by the sire of Halling (sire of Group winners), Elmaamul (Gr1 winner Muhtathir) and Sabrehill (Group winners), Daggers Drawn's stock were popular in the auction ring. He was a leading two-year-old and an impressive winner of both the Richmond Stakes (Gr2) and Champagne Stakes (Gr2). He has a large first crop to run for him and should notch up plenty of winners. The first foal of Sun And Shade, a Listed placed four-time winner by brilliant sprinter Ajdal (by Northern Dancer), it would be interesting to see how he would fare with Darshaan mares - daughters of Ajdal have produced Gr1 stars Mark Of Esteem, Olden Times and Dilshaan when mated with Darshaan. Sun And Shade was out of Lancashire Oaks (Gr3) runner-up Shadywood (by Habitat) and is, thus, a half-sister to Park Hill Stakes (Gr3) winner Madame Dubois (by Legend Of France). She, in turn, is responsible for juvenile Gr1 scorer Count Dubois (by Zafonic), now at stud in South Africa.

DARAZARI (IRE)
b.1993-2000
Sadler's Wells - Darara, by Top Ville
A Gr1 winner by Sadler's Wells, Darazari stood at Rathbarry Stud but died after just one season. He covered a mixed book of 165 mares so there will be no shortage of runners to represent him. A son of Prix Vermeille (Gr1) winner Darara, a half-sister to Prix du Jockey-Club (Gr1) hero and top sire Darshaan (by Shirley Heights), he has obvious potential. His dam is also a half-sister to Dalara (by Doyoun), the Group winning dam of Gr1 winner Daliapour (by Sadler's Wells). Darazari would be an unlikely candidate to get precocious juveniles but being by Sadler's Wells and out of a Gr1 winning half-sister to leading sire Darshaan, he could certainly get some smart middle-distance runners.

DAYLAMI (IRE)
gr.1994
Doyoun - Daltawa, by Miswaki
Gilltown Stud, Co Kildare
There were very few racehorses of the past 20 years better than Daylami. The seven-time Gr1 winner of over £2.2 million was one of the most popular horses in training and was also one of the most popular members of this cohort of stallions, covering 100 mares in his first season. These included a host of well known names, headed by Gr1 stars such as Ebadiyla, My Emma, Nicer, Ridgewood Pearl and Zalaiyka. There were also the dams of Gr1 winners Medaaly (by Highest Honor), Olden Times (by Darshaan), Kahyasi (by Ile De Bourbon), Grand Lodge (by Chief's Crown), Rebecca Sharp (by Machiavellian) and Classic Park (by Robellino) as well as many others that were, have produced or are sisters of Group race stars. He has received the support - the rest is up to him. In addition to international stars Daylami and Kalanisi (first foals in 2003) and last year's Irish Oaks (Gr1) heroine Margarula, Doyoun was responsible for runaway National Stakes (Gr1) scorer Manntari, sire of a Gr1 winner in New Zealand. Daylami, a half-brother to Gr1 winner and leading Classic candidate Dalakhani (by Darshaan), was Gr1 placed at the age of two, a Classic winning miler at three and outstanding at four and five years of age. He is an exciting prospect.

DOCKSIDER (USA)
ch.1995
Diesis - Pump, by Forli
Airlie Stud, Co Dublin
By the sire of Group sire Halling and from the immediate family of top sires Sadler's Wells, Fairy King and Nureyev, Docksider has plenty of promise. He covered a high class book of mares in his initial season and it will be disappointing if he fails to get some smart two-year-olds this season. Docksider was a top class miler and was unlucky not to have added victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile (Gr1) to his tally. Also in his family was Tate Gallery (by Northern Dancer), an own-brother to Sadler's Wells and Fairy King, three-parts brother to Nureyev and winner of the won the National Stakes (Group 1). He died young and though he only sired a handful of Stakes winners, one was the 'Pocket Rocket' Lyric Fantasy while another was Namid's dam Dawnsio. Another of Fairy Bridge's sons was Perugino (by Danzig), winner of his only start but sire of outstanding Australian Gr1 sprint star Testa Rosa and fellow Australian Gr1 winner Sudurka. Docksider has a tremendous amount to live up to but he has the pedigree and the racing ability and has been given the chance.

DR FONG (USA)
ch.1995
Kris S - Spring Flight, by Miswaki
Side Hill Stud
The best European runner by Kris S (by Roberto), a horse often mistaken by racing pundits as being former mile star Kris (by Sharpen Up), Dr Fong has covered large books. Kris S stallions have sired Gr1 winners though not with any regularity. Brocco, for example, is responsible for both top US filly Jostle and star Australian filly Miss Moneypenny. Kentucky-based You And I, on the other hand, is the sire of leading US filly You, top class at two and three years of age. Another son, Gr1 winner Arch, has his first three-year-olds in action this year. There are a couple of Stakes-siring stallions in his distaff line and there would not appear to be any reason why Dr Fong should not sire plenty of winners with the odd black-type scorer amongst them.

DRACULA (AUS)
br.1995
Quest For Fame - Awards Ceremony, by Kaoru Star
Cheveley Park Stud, Newmarket
A new trend has begun in recent seasons, that of what have come to be called reverse shuttle sires - Australian horses that shuttle to Europe for the Northern Hemisphere season. Multiple Group 1 winner Flying Spur (by Danehill) has been the most successful member of this small group thus far but even though he has sired a string of Gr1 winners in the Southern Hemisphere, former English-based Gr3 scorer Volata, later successful in Gr1 company in Hong Kong, is his best in these parts. Juvenile champion Dracula is one of the latest to make the journey. Gr1 winner at seven and eight furlongs from eight starts at two, he added another Gr1 over a mile at three. This is the sort of racing record that would normally attract breeders like iron filings to a magnet, particularly when the stallion comes from a family full of top grade winners. Dracula, however, has attracted only small books of mares in Europe. This means he will not have many representatives but we would not want to bet against him getting some useful performers from these.

DUSHYANTOR (USA)
b/br.1993
Sadler's Wells - Slightly Dangerous, by Roberto
Rathbarry Stud, Co Cork
Being a Sadler's Wells half-brother to Warning, Deploy and Commander In Chief, this Derby-placed dual Gr2 winner is a candidate to sire some talented performers. Each of these siblings has sired as least one Gr1 winner of their own with Warning also now emerging as a useful sire of sires. Not many stallions can boast these sorts of credentials.

EASYCALL (GB)
b.1994
Forzando - Up And Going, by Never So Bold
Fares Stables
Gr2 winning sprinter as a two-year-old, Easycall is a three-parts brother to Group winning speedster Up And At 'Em (by Forzando), a horse that has sired winners. He only has a handful of representatives heading for the races this year but there would not appear to be any reason why they should not include winners. Could get some smart sprinters.

EDEN ROCK (GER)
b/br.1994
Dashing Blade - Eriphyle, by Surumu
Gestüt Westerberg, Germany
Top-rated German two-year-old of 1996, Eden Rock went on to become a high class mile to ten furlong performer. He is by former German champion sire Dashing Blade (by Elegant Air), a triple Gr1 winning grandson of Shirley Heights (by Mill Reef). We will be disappointed if he fails to sire some high class performers.

FASLIYEV (USA)
b.1997
Nureyev - Mr P's Princess, by Mr Prospector
Coolmore Stud, Co Tipperary
Stallion sons of Nureyev tend to disappoint more often than succeed at the highest levels. Of his many Gr1 winning sons, only Polar Falcon, Soviet Star, Wolfhound, Zilzal and leading sire Theatrical have sired a Northern Hemisphere Gr1 winner of their own. There is reason to hope, however, that Fasliyev may become one of the more successful of his sire's clan. Undefeated champion two-year-old whose career was halted through injury sustained at the end of that season, he covered his first mares at the age of three, received tremendous support and was one of the most popular young sires at the foal and yearling sales in 2002. He is out of a half-sister to Gr1 winners Desert Wine (by Damascus) and Menifee (by Harlan), the former being the sire of Flamenco Wave, the Gr1 winning dam of Gr1 winners Aristotle, Starborough and Ballingarry. Menifee, on the other hand, stands in Kentucky and has his first runners this year. It will be interesting to see which of these close relatives, Fasliyev or Menifee, fares better as a sire.

GOLD AWAY (IRE)
ch.1994
Goldneyev - Blushing Away, by Blushing Groom
Haras du Quesnay, France
Top class miler from the Nureyev stallion line, Gold Away stands at one of the top studs in France and gives the impression that he will become a valuable sire. His half-sister Lishaway (by Polish Precedent) is the dam of last season's Solario Stakes (Gr3) winner Foss Way (by Desert Prince) and any further success for this now Godolphin-based three-year-old will draw further attention to Gold Away.

GREAT DANE (IRE)
b.1995
Danehill - Itching, by Thatching
The National Stud, Newmarket
Gr2 winning miler by a leading sire and out of a half-sister to both a dual Gr1 winner and to the dam of three Gr1 winners, Great Dane has received surprisingly few mares. One of those Gr1 winners out of his Stakes winning half-sister Alidiva (by Chief Singer) was Ali-Royal (by Royal Academy), the sire of last year's Dewhurst Stakes (Gr1) hero Tout Seul. Ali-Royal is dead but Great Dane is very much alive. Also, Great Dane is by the sire of successful Gr1 sires Danehill Dancer, Desert King, Lion Hunter, Danzero and others. He could spring a few surprises.

INDIAN ROCKET (GB)
b.1994
Indian Ridge - Selvi, by Mummy's Pet
Tally-Ho Stud, Co Westmeath
Among the more popular new recruits in 2000, Mill Reef Stakes (Gr2) hero Indian Rocket, who was rated 117 on the International Classifications as a juvenile, covered 70 mares in that first season. By the sire of Gr1 winners and successful sires Compton Place (Gr3 winner in his first two-year-olds) and Definite Article (sire of Vinnie Roe), and out of a daughter of Mummy's Pet, many of that first book of mares are sprint bred and it will probably be within that sphere that he will enjoy most success.

INSATIABLE (IRE)
b.1993
Don't Forget Me - Petit Éclair, by Major Portion
Clonmahon Stud, Co Wexford
A near top class runner who won the Prix Dollar (Gr2), Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Gr3) and Blandford Stakes (Gr3) and chased home Alborada in the Champion Stakes (Gr1), Insatiable is a son of dual Guineas winner Don't Forget Me (by Ahonoora) and was best at ten furlongs. There is a lot of speed in his family, plenty of Stakes and Group winning sprinters, and, given the chance, he could certainly get the odd two-year-old winner.

INTIKHAB (USA)
b.1994
Red Ransom - Crafty Example, by Crafty Prospector
Derrinstown Stud, Co Kildare
One of the best horses in recent years not to have won a Gr1, Intikhab was an outstanding miler and the top-rated horse in Europe during a season when he put up one of the most impressive Royal Ascot performances of modern times - an eight length drubbing of the opposition in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr2). He has a good-sized first crop to run for him though it may be 2004 before we begin to see his better winners - he was not precocious and he comes from the family of ace miler Polish Precedent (by Danzig), a stallion whose best runners tend to emerge over middle-distances.

KEOS (USA)
b.1994
Riverman - Konafa, by Damascus
Haras du Fresney, France
A high class sprinter, trained in France and a full-brother to the dam of Gr1 winners Bosra Sham (by Woodman), Shanghai (by Procida) and Hector Protector (by Woodman), Keos stood his first season in America but is now back in France. Hector Protector has sired Gr1 winner Shiva and her Gr2 winning full-brother Limnos though stallion sons of Riverman have enjoyed mixed success at stud. Bahri (sire of G1W Sakhee), Dowsing (sire of G1W Poplar Bluff), Lahib (sire of G1W Mus-If) and Rousillon (sire of G1W Vintage Crop), for example, have had moments of success but not with any consistency. Dunphy, Half A Year, Latin American, River Special and Sulaafah had lesser levels of success and can only be considered as ordinary. At the other extreme is Irish River, brilliant miler and long-time leading sire. Also in the distaff side of Keos's family is Luhuk (by Forty Niner), sire of Gr1 winners from his early Argentinian crops. He is now based in America. Brief Truce (by Irish River) also appears in the family though this Gr1 winning close relative of Keos was an ordinary sire with only Gr1 winner Diatribe to catch the eye.

KIRKWALL (GB)
b.1994
Selkirk - Kamkova, by Northern Dancer
Allevamento di Besnate, Italy
Gr1 placed, Gr2 winner Kirkwall began his stallion career at Littleton Stud in England but got only 24 mares in his first season and stood in Italy last year. He is a son of top miler Selkirk (by Sharpen Up), yet to have a stallion son with runners. Kirkwall's dam was a half-sister to Vanlandingham (by Cox's Ridge) and to the dam of Distant Music (by Distant View), and out of a half-sister to champion Temperance Hill (by Stop The Music). This trio are all stallions and while Distant Music has yet to have any progeny of racing age, the other pair have sired Stakes and Graded winners in America, albeit with a low frequency.

LIL'S BOY (USA)
b.1994
Danzig - Kentucky Lill, by Raise A Native
Redmondstown Stud, Co Wexford
Few young stallions can boast a better stallion's pedigree than Lil's Boy. A multiple Group placed, multiple Listed winning miler, he is by Danzig and out of a winning three-parts sister to Mr Prospector! More than 20 Danzig (by Northern Dancer) stallions have sired at least one Gr1 winner - most of these have sired lots of them. Mr Prospector (by Raise A Native), of course, was for a long time one of the world's most successful sires and his legacy continues through the success at stud of his many sons and daughters. Lil's Boy did not cover as many mares as many of his cohorts but it will be disappointing if he fails to get some useful runners.

LIMNOS (JPN)
ch.1994
Hector Protector - Lingerie, by Shirley Heights
Haras du Petit Tellier, France
Dual Gr2 winning full-brother to Gr1 winning filly Shiva, by a multiple Gr1 winning miler, out of a daughter of a Gr1 winning mare and from the family of a host of other Gr1 stars, Limnos can boast some fancy connections. None of the stallions in his family has yet made its name but it is early days for some of them - he has two young relatives standing in America and who have only a few crops of racing age. It will be interesting to see what sort of impact he makes.

LORD OF MEN (GB)
ch.1993
Groom Dancer - Upper Strata, by Shirley Heights
Haras du Logis, France
It is nearly eight years ago since Lord Of Men enjoyed his finest hour, victory in the seven furlong Prix de la Salamandre (Gr1) fir two-year-olds. His three-year-old season was wiped out through an injury but by the time he retired from the track his CV listed 10 wins with over £270,000 in earnings. He was well-travelled, added both the Prix Gontaut Biron (Gr3) and La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr3) to his juvenile record, was successful in England, France and Dubai, and was best at around ten furlongs. A son of Groom Dancer (by Blushing Groom), he is by the sire of the useful Pursuit Of Love. That horse was also a high class seven furlong performer as a two-year-old and while he went on to become a top notch sprinter, has done reasonably well as a sire. His list of Stakes winning offspring is headed by Yorkshire Oaks (Gr1) winner Catchascatchcan and last year's Princess Royal Stakes (Gr3) scorer Love Everlasting, both fillies and both best at 12 furlongs. Sprint champion and successful sire So Blessed (by Princely Gift) features in earlier generations of Lord Of Men's pedigree.

LUCAYAN PRINCE (USA)
b/br.1993
Fast Play - Now That's Funny, by Saratoga Six
Tweenhills Stud, Gloucestershire
Jersey Stakes (Gr3) winner that took minor honours in both the July Cup (Gr1) and Diadem Stakes (Gr2), Lucayan Prince was later successful in the States and was runner-up in theCigar Mile Handicap (Gr1) in New York. He is a half-brother to young Lane's End stallion Comic Strip (first 2yos in USA) and to two other black-type winners, and while he has not attracted the greatest of support should certainly be capable of getting his fair share of winners. He is by a Gr1 winning son of leading sire and useful sire of sires Seattle Slew (by Bold Reasoning). Fast Play is also a half-brother to multiple Gr1 winner and top sire Seeking The Gold (by Mr Prospector), a stallion whose handful of stallion sons include Mutakddim, sire of 16 Stakes winners from his first three crops including two Gr1 winners and the filly Lady Tak who easily won the eight and a half furlong Fair Grounds Oaks (Gr2) on 8th March.

MARATHON (USA)
b.1994
Diesis - Most Precious, by Nureyev
Haras des Granges, France
By the sire of successful young stallion Halling, Marathon won the one mile Prix Quincey (Gr3) at three and both the Prix du Muguet (Gr2) and Prix Edmond Blanc (Gr3) over the same distance as a four-year-old. He was placed in the Gr1 Prix d'Ispahan though was unraced as a two-year-old. Another stallion son of Diesis (by Sharpen Up) is Elmaamul, the sire of Gr1 winning miler Muhtathir (first foals in France). Marathon is out of a dual Gr1-placed Stakes winner and in addition to two other black-type winning half-brothers, Marathon is a half-brother to ill-fated Classic winning filly Matiara (by Bering). Top class on both sides of the Atlantic, she died in America as a four-year-old. Branches from older generations of this distaff line have led to such as Sanglamore (by Sharpen Up), Lydian (by Lyphard) and Sharpman (by Sharpen Up) - the first two have sired Pattern winners while the latter got Listed winners. Marathon may not become noted for his two-year-olds but he promises to get some smart three-year-olds and older horses.

ORPEN (USA)
b.1996
Lure - Bonita Francita, by Devil's Bag
Kilsheelan Stud, Co Tipperary
Gr1 two-year-old winner from the Danzig stallion line and from the direct female line of top stallions Northern Dancer (by Nearctic) and Machiavellian (by Mr Prospector), Orpen covered 177 mares in his maiden season and 142 mares in his second. This means he will have a plethora of representatives on the track. His sire has been something of a disappointment but the dual Breeders' Cup Mile (Gr1) hero has had fertility difficulties and, therefore, few runners. Orpen is inbred 4x3 to Natalma but inbreeding to this mare has produced the goods in the past as one of the world's most successful sires and his Gr1 siring own-brother are inbred 3x3 to the mare. This is, of course, multiple champion sire Danehill (by Danzig) and younger brother Eagle Eyed (sire of Peeping Tom). More closely related to Orpen is Jules, his Gr3 winning half-brother by emerging sire of sires Forty Niner (by Mr Prospector). A miler, Jules stands in America and has already sired several black-type winners headed by current US three-year-old Peace Rules, Gr3 winner on turf last year and winner of the eight and a half furlong Louisiana Derby (Gr2) at Fair Grounds on 9th March. He also took the Blue Grass Stakes (Gr1) in Keeneland on April 12th. While the large books of mares he has been covering will keep down his percentage of Stakes winners to foals born, it will be disappointing if Orpen fails to come up with some top notch performers.

PRINCELY HEIR (IRE)
b.1995
Fairy King - Meis El-Reem, by Auction Ring
Abbeyleix Stud, Co Laois
A son of leading sire Fairy King (by Northern Dancer), Princely Heir earned his place at stud with victory in the Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes (Gr1) as a two-year-old. He was also third in the Anglesey Stakes (Group 3) that year and was twice Group placed over seven furlongs the following season. Like his full-brother Sadler's Wells, Fairy King has enjoyed a mixed record as sire of sires. Turtle Island got Guineas winner Island Sands in his first crop but his subsequent transfer to the National Hunt division speaks volumes for his subsequent record. Makbul has sired Stakes winners from very limited opportunities, Bartok caught the eye with three above average runners from his first three foals, Revoque has only sired two minor Stakes winners so far but does get a lot of winners at lower levels. Brilliant Arc winner Helissio has sired Gr1 winners in Australia while French Classic winner Victory Note was responsible for last year's Cornwallis Stakes (Gr3) winner Peace Offering from his first two-year-olds. His former two-year-old star Second Empire (see below) also has his first runners in 2003. While he may not be a leading candidate for stallion fame, there would not appear to be any reason why Princely Heir will not sire his fair share of winners.

RIVER BAY (USA)
ch.1993
Irish River - Buckeye Gal, by Good Counsel
Haras du Petit Tellier, France
Winner of the ten furlong Prix d'Harcourt (Gr2) and one mile Prix Perth (Gr3) while based in France, River Bay later added the Hollywood Turf Cup (Gr1), Charles Whittingham Handicap (Gr1) and Sunset Handicap (Gr2) in America. Stallion sons of Irish River (by Riverman) have been more notable for their disappointments than successes and while such as Brief Truce, Exit To Nowhere and Mashkour have managed to get a Gr1 winner, their overall records are comparably weak. An interesting stallion from River Bay's female line, however, is former St Leger (Gr1) hero Shantou (by Alleged), based in Italy and one of Europe's leading freshman sires last year when his number of individual winners was into double figures. If River Bay is going to make an impact though, it will probably be with his three-year-olds and older horses.

RUSSIAN REVIVAL (USA)
ch.1993
Nureyev - Memories, by Hail The Pirates
South Africa - formerly Killarkin Stud
This horse was very much underrated throughout his racing career and he only got 26 mares in his first year at stud. Now based in South Africa, the son of Nureyev (by Northern Dancer) was rated 125 by Timeform, a fact that comes as a considerable surprise to many. His dam is out of a half-sister to the dams of top Japanese sire Brian's Time (by Roberto), successful sire Sunshine Forever (by Roberto), and to the dam of Gr2 winner and successful sire Dynaformer (by Roberto). Another stallion in the family, White Bridle (by Seattle Slew) has sired a Gr2 winner and a Listed winner in Australia from over 160 foals.

SECOND EMPIRE (IRE)
b.1995
Fairy King - Welsh Love, by Ela-Mana-Mou
Coolmore Stud, Co Tipperary
Unbeaten Gr1 winner as a two-year-old, Second Empire was widely regarded as a potential Derby star. While he did prove highly talented at three, he was effective as a miler, winning the Gr3 Desmond Stakes and placed in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Prix du Moulin and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. He has covered large books of mares and so will not be short of representatives. Fairy King has had a mixed record as a sire of sires and while Helissio and Turtle Island have both sired a Gr1 winner, the latter is now being marketed as a National Hunt sire. Revoque and Bartok have sired Stakes winners while Victory Note got Gr3 winner Peace Offering from his first two-year-olds last season. There will be plenty of Second Empires in action and while he will probably figure prominently in terms in number of individual winners by the end of the season, the Fairy King stallions are not generally noted for their high class juveniles and so the time to judge his potential may not come until 2004.

SHINKO FOREST (IRE)
b.1993
Green Desert - Park Express, by Ahonoora
Rathbarry Stud, Co Cork
Gr1 winning sprinter by the sire of Gr1-siring stallions Desert Style, Desert Sun and Desert Prince, Shinko Forest is a son of top mare Park Express and covered good-sized books in his first few seasons. He should have plenty of runners to represent him and looks a likely sort to get plenty of two-year-old winners.

SILVER PATRIARCH (IRE)
gr.1994
Saddlers' Hall - Early Rising, by Grey Dawn
National Stud, Newmarket
One of the most popular horses in training this past decade, Silver Patriarch came within inches of winning the Derby but went on to become a triple Gr1 winner of nearly £925,000. He is one of two Gr1 winners sired by the Gr1 winning Sadler's Wells horse Saddlers' Hall, a stallion that is now being marketed as a National Hunt sire. The early books covered by Silver Patriarch were mixed in terms of Flat and National Hunt bred mares and while he may not have many runners on the level, it would be disappointing if he fails to get some talented performers. Not likely to get many two-year-old winners.

TIGER HILL (IRE)
b.1994
Danehill - The Filly, by Appiani II
Gestüt Schlenderhan, Germany
Top class son of Danehill, Tiger Hill stood first two seasons with star stallion Linamix at Haras du Val Henry in France but returned to Germany to join the team at Gestut Schlenderhan last year. The pedigree of this multiple Gr1 winner does not offer much encouragement - though some Danehill stallions have done reasonably well in Australia and Danehill Dancer made a good impression with his first three-year-olds here, Tiger Hill's distaff line is not terribly distinguished. That said, it will be disappointing if he fails to get some talented performers.

VERGLAS (IRE)
gr.1994
Highest Honor - Rahaam, by Secreto
Haras du Logis Saint-Germain, France
Irish racegoers will remember Verglas. The former Kevin Prendergast-trained grey won his maiden at Leopardstown, the Coventry Stakes (Gr3) at Royal Ascot and took third in the Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes (Gr1). The following year he was a close third behind Desert King in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr1). Later a black-type placed winner in America, he retured to Europe and stands in France. Leading French sprinter Do The Honours (by Highest Honor) is his three-parts sister, Gr1 placed multiple Gr2 winning sprinter Cassandra Go (by Indian Ridge) is his younger half-sister, and Verglas looks the type to get plenty of speedy runners.

A C D E F G I K L M O P R S T V

2003 Stakes Winners - New Sires for 2003 - 2003 Freshman Update

Return to Home Page