The bookmaker Fitzdares makes Dubawi (Ire) 13/8 favourite to be champion sire for the first time. Darley's 20-year-old elite sire was third in last year's table in Britain and Ireland behind Frankel (GB) and Galileo (Ire), and he enjoyed an annus mirabilis on the international stage, becoming the first stallion to be responsible for three Grade I winners at the same Breeders' Cup meeting in Yibir (GB), Space Blues (Ire) and Modern Games (Ire).
Juddmonte's reigning champion Frankel is second-favourite to retain his title at 15/8, with the 12-time champion Galileo (Ire), who died last year, at 14/1 and his half-brother and fellow Derby winner Sea The Stars (Ire) priced at 11/4. Kingman (GB), whose eldest runners are now six, was seventh in last year's championship and is 14/1 to take this year's title.
“I think the first thing that was obvious was the lack of older horses in the Aidan O'Brien yard this year and this was a big factor in the price of Galileo,” said Fitzdares' Sam Hockenhull.
“Splitting up the other three was much harder. They all look like they have a potential superstar or superstars that could propel them to the title. However, it was Dubawi who came out on top. The quantity of proven top-class performers running this year is incredible and he looks to hold a very strong hand in the 3-year-old colt department this year.”
Hockenhull added, “We couldn't put Frankel far behind. After what he did last year, we definitely feel he will be popular in this market. His two Derby winners both remain in training and with his 1000 Guineas favourite Inspiral, it looks set to be another big year for him.
“Last but not least was Sea The Stars, who in Baaeed may have the best miler since Frankel himself. He will almost certainly have a very strong hand in the staying division with the likes of Mojo Star and Manobo joining Stradivarius.”
The betting for this year's champion sire in Great Britain and Ireland on total prize-money is as follows:
Dubawi 13/8
Frankel 15/8
Sea the Stars 11/4
Galileo 14/1
Kingman 14/1
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