Capital Stud

Capital Stud's Topgear had his first mares scanned in foal, the stud announced on Friday. The multiple group winner, who scored in the G2 Challenge Stakes, stands for €7,500 this year. "We are delighted to announce that Topgear has had his first mares scanned in foal," the stud said in a statement. "It's an exciting milestone for this exceptional young stallion and a hugely encouraging start to his stud career at Capital Stud. Early scans have been very positive, and we are grateful to the breeders who have shown such...

For a team which prides itself on never taking a backward step, Topgear is a suitably-named newcomer to the stallion roster at Capital Stud for 2026, with this latest offering being snapped up by breeders with such alacrity that the forward-thinking operation in County Kilkenny must be doing something right. Founded in 2020 by Ger O'Neill and Darragh McCarthy, Capital Stud describes itself as "a syndicate made up of prominent industry figures who have committed to supporting their stallions in the breeding shed and in the sales ring". "We'd like...

Whether you're a racing fan enjoying another glimpse of champions of yesteryear, or a breeder assessing the new intake to the sire ranks, the ITM Irish Stallion Trail is unmissable. From toddlers up, the throng of visitors to the 37 studs who opened their doors across the country on Friday and Saturday stand as testament to the draw of the annual showcase. Many readers of this publication will be in the fortunate position of being able to visit stallion studs at their leisure and to be welcomed with open arms....

The multiple Group winner Topgear has been retired from racing and will stand at Capital Stud for the 2026 breeding season. The son of Wootton Bassett will command a fee of €7,500. Topgear was unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile for trainer Fabrice Chappet, culminating with a narrow success in the G3 Prix Eclipse at Chantilly. Transferred to the care of Christopher Head after failing to add to his tally in six starts the following season, the Hisaaki Saito-owned colt then peaked towards the end of his four-year-old campaign...

With three outings already in the books, Des Donovan trainee Alkuwarrior (Ire) (Alkumait {GB}) was the most experienced contender in Tuesday's British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Great Yarmouth and his ringcraft was a telling factor as he made all for a narrow victory to become the first winner for his Capital Stud-based sire (by Showcasing {GB}) in the extended five-furlong dash. "He jumped very well, but was a little bit keen early on in the race," reflected rider Mason Paetel. "I just let him get into his own...

The first reported foals for the G3 Marble Hill Stakes winner Castle Star (Ire) have arrived, Capital Stud announced in a statement on Wednesday. A bay colt out of the unraced Al Sultana (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) was the first arrival in mid-January. Al Sultana, who has already produced two winners, is out of the winning Royal Applause (GB) mare Centime (GB), a full-sister to the GI American Oaks Invitational scorer Ticker Tape (GB) and a half to the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Breeder...

National Hunt stallion Triple Threat (Fr) sustained a mortal injury in his paddock, Capital Stud announced on Wednesday. The 14-year-old son of Monsun (Ger) was standing his first season at the stud for a private fee. "The whole Capital Stud team is devastated by the news," said the stud's Ger O'Neill. "He was very popular in his first season here and we were looking forward to covering many more mares with him in future, but sadly it wasn't to be. "However, we look forward to seeing his first Irish foals...

The two newcomers to the stallions ranks at Haras de Bonneval, Vadeni (Fr) and Erevann (Fr), have both had their first mares scanned in foal, the operation announced on Wednesday. Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget and carrying the colours of the Aga Khan, Vadeni was among the leading three-year-olds in Europe in 2022 when his wins included the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown. He also filled the runner-up spot behind Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on...

Capital Stud boss Ger O'Neill has revealed that Authorized (Ire) will stand for a similar fee to dominant National Hunt stallion Walk In The Park (Ire) and outlined his hopes that the new recruit to the County Kilkenny operation will help raise the relatively new outfit's profile amongst Irish breeders.  O'Neill's perseverance paid off in securing the 20-year-old Derby winner and sire of Tiger Roll (Ire), one of the most famous jumps horses of the modern era, from the Jockey Club of Turkey for what he described as "a frightening"...

Authorized (Ire), the brilliant Derby-winning son of Montjeu (Ire) who has made his name as a leading jumps sire through the exploits of Tiger Roll (Ire), Nichols Canyon (GB) and I Am Maximus (Fr), is set to return to Ireland where he will stand at Ger O'Neill's Capital Stud in County Kilkenny.  O'Neill revealed on Thursday that a deal has been struck with the Jockey Club of Turkey, where Authorized has stood since 2020, to bring the 19-year-old back to a jurisdiction where his stock is in most demand.  Dual...

G3 Marble Hill S. winner and G1 Middle Park S. runner-up Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) will stand his first season at Capital Stud for a fee of €5,000. Breeding rights are available. His stud-mate Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), a Group 2-winning half-brother to 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), will remain at €5,000. He covered 121 mares this year and has his first foals at the sales from later this month. "Castle Star has settled in well to life at Capital Stud, he is letting down well, has...

French National Hunt sire Triple Threat (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}) has been relocated to Capital Stud's Kilkenny base in Ireland and will stand under the farm's NH arm for 2024, Capital Stud announced on Friday. A fee for the three-time graded/group winner will be announced at a later date. The 13-year-old stallion won the G3 Prix La Force and G2 Prix Eugène Adam in France and the GII Monmouth S. in the United States. He also finished second in the GI Northern Dancer Turf S. As a sire he has been represented by...