Toronado To Touch Down in Newmarket

TORONADO TO TOUCH DOWN IN NEWMARKET 
By Kelsey Riley 
Sheikh Joaan of Al Shaqab Racing has firmly set his racing roots in France, quickly developing his stud farm, Haras de Bouquetot, while also campaigning the likes of last year’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in that country, but the Qatari made a significant move towards building up his bloodstock interests in Britain when it was announced Monday that his star miler Toronado (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) would stand at the English National Stud next year. 

The 4-year-old–who won last year’s G1 Sussex S. and this year’s G1 Queen Anne S.–is likely to race once more before retiring to stud, and Sheikh Joaan will maintain 100% ownership for his stud career. Explaining the move, John Warren–who will manage the horse’s stud career–noted that Sheikh Joaan wanted to give British breeders access to such a high-profile stallion prospect, and he chose the National Stud himself. Toronado’s G1 Queen Elizabeth II S.-winning stablemate Olympic Glory (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) will retire to Haras de Bouquetot next year to stand alongside G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Style Vendome (Fr) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Ganay winner Planteur (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Uruguyan champion Boby Di Job (Brz) (Job Di Caroline {Brz}). 

“Sheikh Joaan doesn’t own his own stud farm in the UK but he owns a very nice farm in France, which is getting up and running,” Warren said. “Last year he retired three stallions there, and I think he felt that it would be a very good gesture for him to start laying his roots down in the UK and develop his activities here. The English National Stud seems to be a very good way of profiling the fact that he wanted to do something for the breeders here. They have a very, very top-class setup right in the heart of Newmarket.” 

The National Stud is well-versed in standing top-class stallions. It became the home of 1971 Derby, King George, Eclipse and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Mill Reef after his racing days ended, and was where he earned two champion sire crowns. Mill Reef’s American owner-breeder Paul Mellon did not have a British farm, and Warren likened Toronado’s situation to that one. 

“He’s effectively doing what Paul Mellon did with Mill Reef and giving the breeders here an opportunity with a top-class stallion prospect,” Warren said. 

Toronado–a €40,000 Arqana December weanling and €55,000 Arqana August yearling–capped an unbeaten three-race juvenile campaign with a win in the G2 Champagne S., and was purchased privately by Sheikh Joaan in March of his 3-year-old career. He went on to win that year’s G1 Sussex S. and G1 Craven S. in addition to finishing second in the G1 St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot for trainer Richard Hannon Sr. Toronado went one better this year at Royal Ascot for Richard Hannon Jr., winning the G1 Queen Anne, and he has most recently finished second in the Sussex and G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp two weeks ago. Warren noted that he would likely race once more. 

“I think at the moment he has three options: the [G1 Queen Elizabeth S. Oct. 18], the [G1] Champion S. [Oct. 18] and the [G1] Breeders’ Cup Mile [Nov. 1],” he said. “I think Harry Herbert, who manages Al Shaqab’s horses-in-training, will be liaising with the trainer and with Sheikh Joaan on the options, because they also have Olympic Glory, who is a Group 1 miler as well.” 

Warren noted that he has been inundated with inquiries about Toronado since the stud deal was announced three days ago. 

“He has a reputation on the racing circuit of being an exceptional individual because he is so powerful and strong and very correct, and I think everyone has admired him over the last three seasons,” Warren said. “There have been a flood of inquiries of people wanting to put their names on the list to secure a nomination, so he’s going to be extremely popular. He’ll be very well supported, and I think Sheikh Joaan himself will support him as well.” 

Warren also pointed to Toronado’s pedigree as being suitable for British mares. 

“Being by international leading sire High Chaparral out of a mare from the Gone West line, he looks perfect for a wide range of mares, including those that descend from the Danzig line,” he said. “Having the powerful build of a very fast horse and being a group-winning unbeaten 2-year-old, Toronado will really appeal to the commercial market. As a European champion miler, he will also be important to the owner/breeders who are aiming to breed a Classic prospect.” 
Warren noted that a fee for Toronado would likely not be set until late October. 

“I think, reading between the lines though, you could say that the fact Sheikh Joaan wants to stand him here for the British breeders means that he’s going to be very reasonably priced,” Warren said. “He’ll make him very accessible.”