Astern Retired to Darley Kelvinside

Astern (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro–Essaouira {Aus}, by Exceed and Excel {Aus}), whose four wins at group level included the 2016 G1 Golden Rose S., has been retired from racing and will enter stud in the 2017 Southern Hemisphere breeding season at Darley's Kelvinside nursery. A service fee was not announced.

Trained throughout his career by John O'Shea, Astern was a quick study, winning his maiden at first asking at Randwick before validating $1.50 (1-2) favoritism in the G2 Silver Slipper S. Drawn widest of the 16 in the 2016 G1 Golden Slipper S., the homebred endured a tough trip and finished down the field, but he atoned for that effort in his next appearance, dead-heating for the victory in the G3 Kindergarten S. on two weeks' rest (video).

Astern resumed in the G2 Run to the Rose S. Aug. 27, defeating the classy Star Turn (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}) (video), then turned in a powerful effort to take out the G1 Golden Rose S. by a decisive 2 1/2 lengths (video). He finished runner-up in the G2 Roman Consul S. and again in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and heads to the breeding shed with five wins from nine starts and earnings of A$1,159,550.

“He's the best colt I've ever trained by far and away in terms of ability and we are very lucky to have put a saddle on his back,” O'Shea commented. “He had a wonderful demeanour, explosive turn of speed and he was prominent in our thoughts as soon as he entered the stable. His 3-year-old spring was destructive with his win in the G1 Golden Rose stamping him as the dominant 3-year-old in the country. We were adamant he had so much on his opposition in the Golden Rose that drawing out didn't affect him and if we gave him a chance, he would win the race. He was so explosive in the finish he had them covered a long way from home.”

Astern is the most accomplished foal for his winning dam, whose other produce include GSP Mogador (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) and Alizee (Aus) (Sepoy {Aus}), runner-up in the G3 Magic Night S. Mar. 11. The latter race was won by Astern's second dam, Alizes (NZ) (Rory's Jester {Aus}), while third dam La Baraka (Aus) (Euclase {Aus}) was victorious in the G1 Galaxy S. in 1998.

“I think he will be an outstanding stallion because he will throw horses with great temperament and good speed,” O'Shea said. “Most commercial breeders want a horse that presents very well and looks the part and if he throws them in the image of himself he's going to have all those things.”