Galileo Gold (Amy Lanigan)

FIRST RUNNERS IN 2021

GOING FOR GOLD

MICHELLE KINANE makes some predictions about the first-crop stallions of 2021


ACLAIM (ire)

RACE RECORD: Seven wins including

G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret

Top-priced yearling: 145,000gns Tattersalls

Aclaim is out of a half-sister to champion juvenile Again, dam of the stakes-winning pair Delphinia and Indian Maharaja. Further back in the line is leading sire Montjeu and 2000 Guineas victor Galileo Gold. Aclaim should suit mares by Galileo, Pivotal, Green Desert, Oasis Dream and Selkirk.

National Stud (UK)

Al WUKAIR (IRE)

2014 b Dream Ahead – Macheera (Machiavellian)

RACE RECORD: Four wins including

G1 Prix Jacques le Marois

Top-priced yearling: €95,000 Arqana

Al Wukair is a brother to stakes-placed Dream Today. His dam is out of French Oaks heroine Caerlina. This is the family of dual Classic-placed La Nuit Rose, multiple Group 1-placed Sri Putra and Group 3 heroine Antonia D Vega. He should suit daughters of Acclamation, Galileo, Invincible Spirit, Oasis Dream, Kendargent, Anabaa and Royal Applause. 

Haras De Bouquetot (FR)

ALMANZOR (FR)

2013 b Wootton Bassett – Darkova (Maria’s Mon)

RACE RECORD: Eight wins including

G1 Prix du Jockey Club, G1 Irish Champion Stakes,

G1 Champion Stakes

Top-priced yearling: €260,000 Arqana

Almanzor hails from a top Aga Khan family. His female line includes champion mare Darjina and French Derby winner Darsi. Breeders sent him 40 Group 1 performers or dams during his first year. Mares by Pivotal, Galileo, Dubawi, Oasis Dream and Green Desert should suit him.

Haras d’Etreham (FR)

ARDAD (IRE)

2014 b Kodiac – Good Clodora (Red Clubs)

RACE RECORD: Three wins including

G2 Flying Childers Stake

Top-priced yearling: 55,000gns Tattersalls Ireland

His dam is a half-sister to the dam of Group 1-winning sprinter Maarek. Further back in the family is champion sprinter Anita’s Prince and a host of stakes performers including Swiss Lake, Swiss Spirit, Swiss Dream, Yafta and Poetry. Ardad should suit mares by Royal Applause, Kyllachy, Green Desert, Oasis Dream, Rock Of Gibraltar, Cadeaux Genereux and Kingmambo.

Overbury Stud (UK)

ARROGATE (USA)

2013 gr Unbridled’s Song – Bubbler (Distorted Humor)

RACE RECORD: Seven wins including

G1 Breeders Cup Classic, G1 Travers Stakes,

G1 Dubai World Cup

Top-priced yearling: $750,000 Keeneland

Arrogate sadly succumbed to a neurological illness earlier this year. His third dam Meadow Star was crowned champion juvenile filly of her year. This is also the family of dual Grade 1 winner Belle Gallantey. Arrogate will have a strong quality debut crop to represent him. Mares by Storm Cat, Pulpit, El Prado, Speightstown and Bernardini should suit.

Juddmonte Farms (USA)

CARAVAGGIO (USA)

2014 gr Scat Daddy – Mekko Hokte (Holy Bull)

RACE RECORD: Seven wins including

G1 Commonwealth Cup, G1 Phoenix Stakes

Top-priced yearling: $400,000 Keeneland

Caravaggio is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner My Jen, herself dam of Japanese Grade 2-placed Satono Gold. This line includes Grade 1 winners Foundry, Bien Bien, Spring At Last, Sharp Lisa and champion South African filly Oh Susanna. This is also the immediate family of Group 3 winner Housesofparliament. Mares by Oasis Dream, Green Desert, Galileo, Danehill Dancer, Exceed And Excel and Choisir should suit.

Ashford Stud (USA)

CHURCHILL (IRE)

2014 b Galileo – Meow (Storm Cat)

RACE RECORD: Seven wins including

G1 2000 Guineas, G1 Irish 2000 Guineas,

G1 Dewhurst Stakes, G1 National Stakes

Top-priced yearling: 340,000gns Tattersalls

Churchill is a full brother to champion two-year-old filly Clemmie and Blenheim Palace, who earned Group 3 honours. The second dam Airwave was champion juvenile in England. This is also the immediate family of Group 1-winning sprinters Jwala and Dream Of Dreams. Churchill looks tailormade for mares by Danehill Dancer, Oasis Dream, Invincible Spirit, Scat Daddy and Pivotal.

Coolmore Stud

COTAI GLORY (IRE)

2012 ch Exceed And Excel – Continua (Elusive Quality)

RACE RECORD: Four wins including

G3 Molecomb Stakes, G3 World Trophy

Top-priced yearling: 180,000gns Tattersalls

His full sister Excel’s Beauty was stakes-placed while his half-sister Permission was a stakes winner. Their dam Continua is a full sister to Group 1-placed Huntdown. Group 3 winner Saffron Beach hails from this line. Cotai Glory should work well with mares by Kodiac, Oasis Dream, Pivotal, Kyllachy, Bahamian Bounty and Diktat.

Tally-Ho Stud

DE TREVILLE (GB)

2012 b Oasis Dream – Dar Re Mi (Singspiel)

RACE RECORD: Two wins

Top-priced yearling: €90,000 Arqana Deauville

His half-siblings include group winners So Mi Dar, Lah Ti Dar and champion miler Too Darn Hot. Their dam is a half-sister to Group 1 scorers Rewilding, Diaghilev and Darazari. This is the female line of successful sire Darshaan and Group 2 scorer Fanny Logan. De Treville should suit mares by Dubawi, Galileo, Danehill Dancer, Linamix, Sadler’s Wells, Montjeu and Kingmambo.

Haras du Mezeray (FR)

Decorated Knight (Bronwen Healy)

DECORATED KNIGHT (GB)

2012 ch Galileo – Pearling (Storm Cat)

RACE RECORD: Eight wins including

G1 Irish Champion Stakes,

G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup,

G1 Jebel Hatta

Top-priced yearling: 44,000gns Goffs Orby

Decorated Knight’s dam is a sister to Giant’s Causeway and Group 1 producer You’resothrilling. She is the dam of Classic winners Marvellous and Gleneagles, both by Galileo. Her other progeny by Galileo include Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Happily and group scorers Coolmore and Taj Mahal. Another half-sister, Love Me Only produced Classic-placed Storm The Stars. Decorated Knight should suit mares by Invincible Spirit, Green Desert, Pivotal, Dubawi, Danehill Dancer and Exceed And Excel.

Irish National Stud

ECTOT (GB)

2011 b Hurricane Run – Tonnara (Linamix)

RACE RECORD: Seven wins including

G1 Criterium International,

G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

Top-priced yearling: €55,000 Arqana

Ectot is a half-brother to St James’s Palace Stakes winner Most improved. Their dam is a half-sister to group performers Johnny Barnes, Albisola and Bufera. This is the same family that produced Classic-placed Daban. Mares by Kingmambo, Daylami, Gold Away, Indian Ridge and Anabaa should suit him.

Haras De Bouquetot (FR)

EL KABEIR (USA)

2012 gr Scat Daddy – Great Venue (Unbridled’s Song)

RACE RECORD: Five wins including

G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes

Top-priced yearling: 180,000gns Tattersalls

El Kabeir’s dam is a half-sister to graded stakes winner Too Much Bling. Other half-siblings include stakes horses Barnsy, Ready For Roses and LittleBitABling. El Kabeir should be well suited to mares by Acclamation, Dark Angel, Green Desert, Bahamian Bounty, Oasis Dream, Invincible Spirit and Holy Roman Emperor.

Yeomanstown Stud

GALILEO GOLD (IRE)

2013 ch Paco Boy – Galicuix (Galileo)

RACE RECORD: Five wins including

G1 2000 Guineas,

G1 St James’s Palace Stakes

Top-priced yearling: 82,000gns Tattersalls

Galileo Gold’s dam is a half-sister to dual Group 1-winning sprinter Goldream. His third dam Cuixmala is a half-sister to Montjeu. This is also the same female line of Classic heroine and stakes producer Again as well as Group 1 sprinter Aclaim. Galileo Gold should suit mares by Acclamation, Royal Applause, Teofilo, Machiavellian, Kodiac, Danehill Dancer and Rock Of Gibraltar.

Tally-Ho Stud

Highland Reel (Coolmore)

HIGHLAND REEL (IRE)

2012 b Galileo – Hveger (Danehill)

RACE RECORD: Ten wins including

G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes,

G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf,

G1 Coronation Cup,

G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes,

G1 Hong Kong Vase x2,

G1 Secretariat Stakes

Top-priced yearling: 320,000gns Tattersalls

His full brothers include Group 1 winner Cape Of Good Hope and multiple Group 1-placed Idaho. Their dam Hveger is a sister to multiple Group 1 winner Elvstroem. Their half-brother Haradasun was a champion three-year-old. This is the family of leading sire Starspangledbanner. Mares by Pivotal, Oasis Dream Dubawi, Shamardal and Exceed And Excel should suit.

Coolmore Stud

JACK HOBBS (GB)

2012 br Halling – Swain’s Gold (Swain)

RACE RECORD: Five wins including

G1 Irish Derby, G1 Dubai Sheema Classic

Top-priced yearling: 24,000gns Goffs UK

Jack Hobbs’s second dam Golden Pond was a Grade 2 winner. This is also the family of Group 2 heroine Pollenator and Australian Derby victor Dance The Day Away. He should fare well with mares by Dubawi, Galileo, Montjeu, Motivator, Barathea and In The Wings.

Overbury Stud (GB)

MONDIALISTE (IRE)

2010 b Galileo – Occupandiste (Kaldoun)

RACE RECORD: Five wins including

G1 Woodbine Mile,

G1 Arlington Million

Top-priced yearling: 60,000gns Tattersalls

Mondialiste is one of four stakes horses for his dam Occupandiste. She’s also the grand dam of French Derby victor Intello and Group 3 winners Kalahara and Sasparella. Occupandiste is also the dam of group winners Impressionnante and Only Answer. This is the female line of champions Elnadim, Mehthaaf and Ribchester. He should mix well with daughters of Selkirk, Cape Cross, Danehill, Shamardal, Oasis Dream and Dansili.

Haras d’Annebault (FR)

NATIONAL DEFENSE (GB)

2014 b Invincible Spirit – Angel Falls (Kingmambo)

RACE RECORD: Two wins including

G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère

Top-priced yearling: 75,000gns Goffs Orby

A half-brother to Swedish stakes performer Nordic Defense and stakes-placed Cascading. Further back in the line is Grade 1 winner Ave and stakes winner Anipa. This is also the family of Accessories, dam of Australian Group 1 winners Helmet and Epaulette. She is also the dam of group winners Pearls and Bullbars. National Defense should suit daughters of Galileo, Exceed And Excel, Danehill Dancer, Dubawi, Teofilo, Indian Ridge and Footstepsinthesand.

Irish National Stud

POSTPONED (IRE)

2011 b Dubawi – Ever Rigg (Dubai Destination)

RACE RECORD: Nine wins including

G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes,

G1 Coronation Cup,

G1 Juddmonte International,

G1 Dubai Sheema Classic

Top-priced yearling: 145,000gns Tattersalls

A half-brother to Group 1 heroine God Given, Postponed’s second dam Bianca Nera was champion juvenile in Ireland. She is the grand dam of Grade 1-placed Turning Top. She is a half-sister to dual Group 1-placed Hotelgenie Dot Com, dam of dual Group 1 winner Simply Perfect. This line includes Classic-placed pair Bondi Beach and Gale Force Ten. Mares by Dansili, Cape Cross, Shamardal, Oasis Dream, Galileo and Green Desert should suit him.

Dalham Hall Stud (GB)

PROFITABLE (IRE)

2012 b Invincible Spirit – Dani Ridge (Indian Ridge)

RACE RECORD: Five wins including

G1 King’s Stand Stakes

Top-priced yearling: 160,000gns Tattersalls

Profitable’s half-siblings include group winners or performers Danidh Dubai, Full Mandate, Ridge Ranger and Crafty Madam. Their dam Dani Ridge is an own sister to Group 3 scorer Blomberg. Profitable should suit daughters of Diktat, Dark Angel, Royal Applause, Acclamation, Kodiac and Dutch Art.

Kildangan Stud

Ribchester (Marc Rühl)

RIBCHESTER (IRE)

2013 b Iffraaj – Mujarah (Marju)

RACE RECORD: Six wins including

G1 Jacques Le Marois,

G1 Lockinge Stakes,

G1 Prix du Moulin,

G1 Queen Anne Stakes

Top-priced yearling: 350,000gns Tattersalls

Ribchester’s dam Mujarah is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Matterhorn, Group 3 winners Tactic and Bangkok and dual group-placed Yaazy. This is from the female line of champion sprinter Elnadim, French Classic winner Intello and globetrotting Grade 1 winner Mondialiste. Ribchester looks tailormade for mares by Dubawi, Galileo, Teofilo, Shamardal, Green Desert and Oasis Dream.

Kildangan Stud

THE GREY GATSBY (IRE)

2011 gr Mastercraftsman – Marie Vision (Entrepreneur)

RACE RECORD: Four wins including

G1 Prix du Jockey Club,

G1 Irish Champion Stakes

Top-priced yearling: €130,000 Arqana

The Grey Gatsby is out of a half-sister to stakes performers Saint Thomas and Steady As A Rock. His second dam Metisse is a daughter of Group 1 heroine Maximova. She produced Group 1 winners Septieme Ciel and Macoumba. This is the family of leading American-based sire Temple City. The Grey Gatsby should suit mares by Dansili, Turtle Bowl, Pivotal, Galileo and Invincible Spirit.

Haras du Petit Tellier (FR)

TIME TEST (GB)

2012 b Dubawi – Passage Of Time (Dansili)

RACE RECORD: Six wins including

G2 York Stakes

Top-priced yearling: 150,000gns Tattersalls

His Group 1-winning dam is a half-sister to Falmouth Stakes heroine Timepiece. Her full brothers Father Time and Continuum earned black-type wins. This female family is also responsible for European champion Twice Over. The family includes Group or Grade 1 scorers Mutual Trust, Antonoe, Hilda’s Passion and Yoshida. He should suit daughters of Galileo, Oasis Dream, Observatory, Selkirk and Green Desert.

The National Stud (GB)

ULYSSES (IRE)

2013 ch Galileo – Light Shift (Kingmambo)

RACE RECORD: Five wins including

G1 Coral Eclipse Stakes,

G1 Juddmonte International

Top-priced yearling: 320,000 Tattersalls

His dam is a half-sister to dual champion Shiva, grand dam of dual group-winning Threat. Another of their half-sisters Strawberry Fledge produced Cloth Of Stars. This is also the immediate female line of multiple Grade 1 winner Main Sequence. Ulysses should suit daughters of Pivotal, Oasis Dream, Sea The Stars, High Chaparral and Footstepsinthesand.

Cheveley Park Stud (GB)

ZARAK (FR)

2013 b Dubawi – Zarkava (Zamindar)

RACE RECORD: Four wins including

G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud

Top-priced yearling: €112,000 Arqana

Zarak is a son of unbeaten Arc heroine Zarkava. She is also the dam of stakes winner Zaykava and Group 3 winner Zarkamiya. Zarkava is a half-sister to Group 3 heroine Zarshana and Zarkandar. Mares by Green Desert, Pivotal, Le Havre, Sea The Stars, Azamour, Galileo and Rock Of Gibraltar should suit him.

Haras de Bonneval (FR)

ZELZAL (FR)

2013 br Sea The Stars – Olga Prekrasa (Kingmambo)

RACE RECORD: Four wins including

G1 Prix Jean Prat

Top-priced yearling: €70,000 Arqana

Zelzal is a half-brother to Group 3 heroine Ibiza. The third dam State Crystal was a group winner. She is the grand dam of stakes winners Sparkling Portrait and Libran. Another of her daughters produced Group 3 winner Three Rocks. This line includes Group 3 winner Ocovango, group winners Dubai Success and Solar Crystal and Classic-placed Tchaikovsky. Zelzal should suit daughters of Invincible Spirit, Oasis Dream, Rock Of Gibraltar, Teofilo, Danehill Dancer and Linamix.

Haras de Bouquetot (FR)