Baaeed, Minzaal Continue Reporting In-Foal Mares

Shadwell and Derrinstown Stud report that both Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the highest-rated turf racehorse in the world for a decade, and Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), the highest-rated sprinter in Europe in 2022, have over 30 mares scanning in-foal as the stallions commence covering their first books.

Baaeed's in-foal mares include G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. winner Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}); Seeking Solace (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), dam of 2019 champion 3-year-old sprinter in Europe and joint champion 3-year-old colt in England & Ireland in 2019, Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never); Azafata (Spa) (Motivator {GB}), dam of Group 1-performers Fleeting (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Jannah Flower (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}); and Darmoiselle (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the stakes-placed full-sister to 2018 champion 2-year-old colt in Europe and 2019 champion 3-year-old miler in Europe Too Darn Hot (GB), as well as MG1SP Lah Ti Dar (GB) and GSW & G1SP So Mi Dar (GB), among others.

Minzaal's mares scanned in-foal include Shenoya (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), his first mare scanned in foal, a stakes placed half-sister to GSP Like A Charm (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), belonging to Minzaal's breeder Ringfort Stud; G1SP Sparkling Beam (Ire) (Nayef); GSW Distinctive (GB) (Tobougg {Ire}); and Street Kitty (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), dam of MG1SP Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}).

“We are thrilled with how both Baaeed and Minzaal have commenced their first books, with each horse consistently reporting in-foal mares on a daily basis. Baaeed's extraordinary achievements on the racecourse speak for themself and he has been supported by many of the world's leading breeders with an excellent first book,” said European Bloodstock Manager Stephen Collins. “Meanwhile, Minzaal has also been incredibly well-received and has proven tremendously popular with commercial breeders as he continues to cover a high-class first book of mares. We would like to thank all our breeders for their support this season with all of our stallions, particularly our two extremely exciting new stallion prospects.”

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Making Waves: Feb. 4-10

    In this new semi-weekly series, the TDN takes a look at the notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column, Feb. 4-10, is highlighted by the victory of upwardly mobile mare Quattroelle (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the GIII Megahertz S. on Saturday.

 

No 'Quat'er Given In Megahertz

Tally-Ho Stud's rising stallion star Mehmas has gone from strength to strength with his progeny, and his freshly minted 5-year-old daughter Quattroelle became his 12th graded/group winner from just three crops to race when running out a half-length winner of Santa Anita's GIII Megahertz S. going a mile over firm turf on Feb. 4 (video).

The winner of the Listed Blue Norther S. as a juvenile in December of 2020, the then-4-year-old mare hit a purple patch of stakes form beginning this past November, running second in the GIII Red Carpet S. at Del Mar behind Bellstreet Bridie (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}), who shares two of the same owners–Red Baron's Barn LLC and Rancho Temescal, LLC –with Quattroelle, who was brought over to the States after just one run in Ireland, a third in a Leopardstown maiden. Third in the GIII Robert J. Frankel S. to subsequent GIII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) on New Year's Eve, the Rossenarra Bloodstock-bred was winning for the fourth time in 14 starts in the Megahertz.

Mehmas, a dual Group 2-winning sprinter, has also tasted American stakes success with his progeny in the form of GI Del Mar Oaks victress Going Global (Ire) among others.

On the female side of the pedigree, Quattroelle, who was a €10,000 Tattersalls Ireland September yearling buyback, is the best performer of the placed Heavenly River (Fr), by former star French 3-year-old colt Stormy River (Fr) (Verglas {Ire}). That sire won the G1 Prix Jean Prat, and was placed in the G1 French 2000 Guineas, as well as three other times at the highest level throughout his career. The second foal of her dam, herself a half-sister to stakes winner and G3 Prix du Calvados third Katie's Diamond (Fr) (Turtle Bowl {Ire}), Quattroelle is followed by the placed 4-year-old colt The Ganges (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}), the unraced full-sister to that horse named Heavenly Mark (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}) and a yearling full-brother to Quattroelle.

Heavenly River is bred on the same Stormy River–Anabaa cross as Listed South Beach S. heroine Stormy Victoria (Fr) (Stormy River {Fr}), who placed four times at the graded level in North America. Katie's Diamond is the dam of a graded/group winner in the form of G2 Queen Mary S. winner Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), who was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. This is the extended family of G3 Prix Miesque winner Aquatinta (Ger) (Samum {Ger}), the best foal out of Quattroelle's third dam Arpista (Ger) (Chief Singer {Ire}).

Chief Singer, a foal of 1981, proved top class at both six furlongs and a mile at three with victories in the G1 July Cup, G1 Sussex S. and G2 St. James's Palace S., and was also a winner of the G2 Coventry S. at two. Good enough to bring up the exacta in El Gran Senor's G1 2000 Guineas, he sired just two stakes winners, but Quattroelle's great-granddam was not among them, instead taking  third in the Listed Scherping-Rennen at Baden-Baden in 1997

 

'Earl' Brings The Thunder

It was also a first win at the graded level for another Irish-bred later on the Santa Anita Saturday card, as Earl's Rock (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}), won the GIII Thunder Road S. over a mile on the grass (video).

From the first crop of his G1 Champion S. and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup-winning sire who stands at Burgage Stud in Ireland, and one of two overall stakes winners, the 5-year-old gelding became Fascinating Rock's first graded winner with his nose victory.

Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, who also bred his sire, the gelding was an €8,000 yearling purchase out of the Goffs Autumn Sale in 2019. His Darley-bred dam, Ajaadat (GB) by dual French Classic hero and top sire Shamardal, won a trio of races in the UK at 1500 metres and a mile and holds a record of six foals, four of racing age, with Earls Rock her second produce. The gelded 4-year-old Tamra's Rock (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}) is also a winner, as is his year-younger full-brother Cash Or Crypto (Ire). Ajaadat foaled fillies by Camelot (GB) and the winner's sire in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Out of the unraced Taarkod (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}) herself a daughter of G1 Nassau S. heroine Zahrat Dubai (GB) (Unfuwain), Ajaadat is a full-sister to G3 International Istanbul Trophy second Rekdhat (Ire). Sharmardal has sired German Group 3 winner and G1 Sun Chariot S./G1Prix Rothschild runner-up Half Light (Ire), as well as two other stakes winners out of Singspiel mares. Himself a Group/Grade 1 winner four times in the UK, Canada, and Japan, Singspiel sired 99 black-type winners (52 group), but has bettered that mark as a broodmare sire, with 111 stakes winners (64 group) led by the young Darley sire Too Darn Hot (GB).

 

Another Graded Success For The 'Prince'

Santa Anita Park was the place to be for Euro-breds last weekend, as Prince Abama (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), already victorious in the GII Hollywood Turf Cup, beat Masteroffoxhounds (War Front) by a neck over the 1 1/4-mile GIII San Marcos S. on Sunday (video). He was a €29,000 Goffs Sportsman's Yearling Sale purchase by BBA Ireland in 2019.

One of 25 stakes winners and 15 group winners for the recently pensioned Tamayuz, the T. Jones-bred is one of five winners from five to race for his Mr. Greeley dam, who never made it to the races. She is a half-sister to two stakes winners, among them Nymphenburg (San Romano), who was second in the GII Canadian H. His second dam is a winning half-sister to Canadian Champion 3-Year-Old Filly La Lorgnette (Val De l'Orne {Fr}), who took two Canadian Classics including the Queen's Plate, and was also the dam of the high-class three-time Group 1 winner Hawk Wing (Woodman).

 

Expert Eye Filly Graduates At The Fair Grounds

Away from California graded stakes action, Juddmonte stallion Expert Eye (GB), best known for his GI Breeders' Cup Mile upset in 2018, sired his 27th winner from his first crop with Beautifulnavigator (Ire) (video) striking by three-quarters of a length in New Orleans at the Fair Grounds. From just 19 first-crop 3-year-old runners, she is his seventh winner, taking a 1 1/16-mile turf maiden special weight for trainer Ken McPeek, his wife Sherri's Magdalena Racing and Alfred Riccio on Sunday.

A €70,000 Goffs Orby yearling, the Rathbarry Stud and Abbeylands Farm-bred is a half-sister to Tabarrak (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who won five times at the listed level in England, and was second placed in both the G3 Sovereign S. and G3 John Of Gaunt S., as well as the stakes-placed half-sister The Wagon Wheel (Ire) by Expert Eye's sire Acclamation. Stakes-placed at Warwick,  Bahati has a 2-year-old colt by Kodi Bear (Ire) and produced a filly by Acclamation (GB) in 2022.

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‘The Past 12 Months Have Not Been Easy But Minzaal Has Provided A Buzz Again’

Out and about on the opening day of the Irish Thoroughbred Stallion Trail

One of the early highlights of the year for pedigree buffs and casual observers, the Irish Thoroughbred Stallion Trail, got underway with a bang on Friday with heavy footfall reported at over 30 of the stallion farms taking part in the two-day extravaganza. 

The TDN Europe team were out and about in the Kildare area on Friday and visited Kildangan Stud, The Irish National Stud, Yeomanstown Stud and Derrinstown Stud before venturing further south on Saturday. 

Don't let the sunny snaps fool you, Friday was another bitterly cold day, but Night Of Thunder (Ire) warmed the cockles followed by emerging forces Earthlight (Ire) and Ghaiyyath (Ire) at Kildangan Stud. 

In fact, such was the quality on show at Kildangan Stud, nominations manager Eamon Moloney described the current collection of stallions on offer at the Irish arm of the hugely-powerful Darley operation as the best he's seen during his time at the helm.

Moloney said, “We've had good horses here in the past but we have a mix of stallions who are operating at the top of their game, like Teofilo (Ire) and now Night Thunder climbing his way to the top-and you don't know how far he might go-right through to Ghaiyyath, Earthlight and Blue Point (Ire) with his first runners this year. I don't think we've ever had a more exciting roster. “

It was not just the seasoned breeders who turned out in their droves, either, on Friday. Moloney reported a good mixture of industry stakeholders and families searching for an alternative day out to be coming through the gates at Kildangan and predicted Saturday to be even busier. 

He said, “The Thoroughbred Stallion Trail is a very important initiative. It provides you with an opportunity to showcase your new horses and gives everyone a chance to see them in the flesh. A lot of breeders have been here already but they love coming back to see the stallions a second time. There's also a social aspect to the whole thing and the amount of new people who come through the gates for the Thoroughbred Trail-we've even attracted clients who had never been involved in this industry prior to the initiative, so it's very important. “

It won't take a genius to sell Ghaiyyath to breeders. He may be a Dubawi (Ire) and his dam was no giant, but this boy commands attention wherever he goes, with his giant stride and powerful makeup clearly capturing the attention of those in attendance on Friday. 

Moloney commented, “I don't think we had one negative comment on a Ghaiyyath or Earthlight foals. Not one. The Earthlights are just so sharp and strong. I really think they have a huge chance. With Ghaiyyath, people seem to stop and stare at him in silence. His foals are the same-they are very athletic. I think we are in very good shape, to the point that Ghaiyyath will cover his biggest book of mares in his third season, which isn't the normal trend. He's not your typical Dubawi-he has this big walk and has great presence. Those great horses seem to have presence.”

He added, “We've had a good mixture of breeders who are going to be sending us mares and families who are making a day of it viewing the stallions. There are plenty of racing enthusiasts as well, and they love coming to see the horses up close in the flesh, so there's a great mix. It's brilliant.”

“We're very pleased and it has provided us all with a lift here at Derrinstown. He's a Group 1-winning sprinter and was an absolute flying machine as a racehorse so we're all very excited about him,” – Joe Behan. 

Geographically, Kildangan is just over 10 minutes from the Irish National Stud, and many of the same faces made the short journey to see Invincible Spirit (Ire), Lucky Vega (Ire), Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) and more. 

Lucky Vega | INPHO/Morgan Treacy

At 26 years young, Invincible Spirit has been there and done that and is widely recognised as one of the best producers this country has to offer. But standing on the opposite side of the long row of boxes at the beautiful Irish National Stud could be the heir to Invincible Spirit's throne, the powerhouse that is Lucky Vega, who has done extremely well since he retired from racing and is letting down into a bull of a stallion. 

Lucky Vega showed top-class form at two, including when carrying the colours of Yuesheng Zhang to victory in the G1 Phoenix S., and his owner's pursuit of top-class broodmares to support the young stallion was one of the major stories to emerge from 2022. He certainly won't lack for support. 

Nor will Minzaal (Ire). Derrinstown Stud manager Joe Behan admits that the past 12 months have not been easy for anyone working with the operation after the man he affectionately refers to as 'the boss,' Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, passed away. 

However, Group 1-winning sprinter Minzaal is proving a beacon of hope at Derrinstown and is understood to be oversubscribed already such is his popularity among breeders.

Behan explained, “Minzaal is going down very well with all the breeders. There has been nothing but positive comments on him today and he's taking everything in his stride. He's a good model, very correct and makes great use of himself. He has a great walk and has a nice bit of length and scope to him as well. 

“We're very pleased and it has provided us all with a lift here at Derrinstown. He's a Group 1-winning sprinter and was an absolute flying machine as a racehorse so we're all very excited about him.”

He added, “There is a buzz around the place. The past 12 months have not been easy since the boss passed away so, to get that buzz back and have everyone rowing in behind Minzaal now, it means an awful lot. It's great.”

Great, too, is the confidence behind Invincible Army (Ire) at Yeomanstown Stud. Dark Angel (Ire) is still very much the daddy of them all at Yeomanstown but, despite the fact they are facing into one of the hottest years one can remember in terms of the fight for first-season sire honours, the O'Callaghans are predicting big things from Invincible Army this year.

Rob O'Callaghan said, “We're very confident with Invincible Army. He's got great stock coming through and has a lot going for him with over 130 2-year-olds this year. They are well-bred horses and they've got the strength, the action and they have gone to the right homes as well. Karl Burke, Richard Hannon, Ger Lyons, Richard Fahey and Clive Cox have all bought yearlings by him and he's got as good a chance of any of the first-season sires to make a big impression this year. You've got to remember that he was a top-class racehorse and was a Group winner at two, three and four.”

Friday was the only day that Yeomanstown opened their doors to the public and O'Callaghan labelled the initiative as a success before pointing to the fact that many breeders visited with a view towards getting a glimpse at some of the younger sires the stud has to offer. 

He added, “Technically, this is our only day on the Thoroughbred Stallion Trail but we are open every day of the year. We've plenty of shows booked in for tomorrow [Saturday] and the past few weeks have been very busy with showing. We'd a busy morning today with a lot of people starting the Trail here and working their way on to other studs. 

“It's been a good day and we've had a good mixture between breeders and casual visitors. We're glad to have them and it's good to see people enjoying their day. When you have a new stallion it's always busier. Also, a lot of people like to come and see a stallion in his second year at stud to see how they have progressed during the summer.

“These stallions change so much from year one to year two. It's amazing and I think it's important for breeders to come back to see a horse in his second year at stud to get a proper viewing. It's hard to judge a horse straight out of training because they are fit and go to stud off the back of a hard two or three years galloping. When they have had that first year's covering and a summer of grass under their belt, they change a lot.”

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Baaeed To Command 80k For Shadwell In First Season

The highest-rated turf horse in a decade, Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Aghareed, by Kingmambo), will stand for £80,000  in his first season at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud in 2023. The winner of 10 of his 11 starts, including six consecutive Group 1s, he is joined under the Shadwell banner by G1 Sprint Cup hero Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire})–Pardoven {Ire}, by Clodovil {Ire}), who will also be standing his first season next year, at €15,000.

Stephen Collins, European bloodstock manager for Shadwell, said, “Baaeed's fee reflects his current status as the champion turf horse in the world for 2022 and also his impeccable race record and superb pedigree, being a direct descendant of Height Of Fashion (Fr), the dam of top-class performers Nashwan, Nayef and Unfuwain.

“The 135-rated Baaeed is a wonderful addition to the Shadwell stallion roster and we have been inundated with enquiries for nominations. We have been overwhelmed with the response from breeders from all over Europe and further a-field.”

Rated 121, Minzaal will stand at Shadwell's Irish base, Derrinstown Stud in Co Kildare.

Collins said, “At a fee of €15,000, we have no doubt that Minzaal will prove very popular with breeders. He's a strong, good-looking individual who was a very high-class 2-year-old and developed into an exceptional older sprinter, winning the Sprint Cup in devastating style. His immense talent combined with his superb attitude will stand him in very good stead for what we firmly believe will be an equally successful stallion career.”

The Nunnery Stud roster also contains crack miler Mohaather (GB), whose fee remains unchanged at £15,000 while first-season sire Tasleet (GB)'s fee has risen to £6,000 (Jan. 1, special live foal) from £5,000 in 2022. Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) captured the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot. Eqtidaar (Ire)'s fee remains at £5,000.

Collins added, “The forthcoming sales will see Mohaather's first foals sell at public auction, which will be exciting for us all. We have a number of very nice foals by him on the farm and very much look forward to seeing how his other progeny are received in the sales ring over the coming weeks.

“Tasleet's yearlings sold well at public auctions throughout the autumn, which is no surprise given Bradsell's success in the Coventry Stakes and other eye-catching performances from the sire's progeny in 2022. Eqtidaar's first yearlings through the ring have also been making their mark with his progeny realising up to 12 times his stud fee.”

Also based at Derrinstown Stud is Awtaad (Ire), whose fee has been kept unchanged at €5,000. Former Derrinstown stalwart Tamayuz (GB) has been pensioned, and former Derrinstown Stud resident King Of Change (GB) has been moved to Micheal Orlandi's Starfield Stud in Co Westmeath for the 2023 breeding season.

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