Darley stallions

He may not be flashiest sire on the Darley stud roster, but the quietly efficacious Midshipman (Unbridled's Song- Fleet Lady, by Avenue of Flags) might just be the most consistent. He ranks second amongst his studmates, behind Jonabell's elder statesman Medaglia d'Oro, in terms of blacktype runners to named foals at over a 12% clip, and his $7,500 stud fee this year only adds to his appeal. "I think the area where Midshipman really excels, and it's a very easy selling point, is that everyone has a mare that would...

Though 2020 will go down as a dreadful year for many, it can be regarded as an annus mirablilis for Darley stallion Teofilo (Ire). To an extent, every son of Galileo (Ire) at stud has to make do with seeking glimmers of light within the long shadow cast by the 12-time champion sire. Last year, Teofilo came closest of any stallion to Galileo's tally of Group 1 winners by being responsible for six of his own, in France, Germany, Australia and Hong Kong. Now 17, Teofilo also played a lead...

Godolphin's dual Group 1-winning juvenile Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal-Winters Moon {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) has been retired from racing and will stand at Kildangan Stud in 2021. Bred by Godolphin out of its G1 Fillies' Mile third Winters Moon-a half-sister to two Group 1 winners--Earthlight went unbeaten in five starts last year at two for trainer Andre Fabre. He took the G3 Prix de Cabourg at third asking before reeling off victories in the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S., the latter over subsequent G1 Commonwealth Cup victor...

Three years ago, Darley's Sales Manager Darren Fox boarded a plane for Australia to see if  Astern (Aus), their highly-rated son of Medaglia d'Oro, could be a good fit for the American roster. "Upon making the trip to Australia to make sure he would work physically, it took all of about three seconds of looking at Astern to say, 'Yes, this horse will work in America,'" Fox recalled. "He has a lot of attributes that we look for and he was, in any jurisdiction, a high-level, high-performing racehorse. So it...

It's a toss-up, really, as to who made the bigger splash in 2017--the Don Alberto Corporation itself, or their superstar filly Unique Bella (Tapit). Three years ago, Don Alberto Corporation continued their traditional annual shopping spree at the fall breeding stock sales, spending a combined $8.3 million at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, plus an additional $3.35 million in partnership purchases at the Keeneland November Sale. Meanwhile, their $400,000 2015 Keeneland September purchase Unique Bella shone bright as a 3-year-old with four consecutive graded stakes wins and a later victory in the...

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Qaader (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), a €44,000 Goffs February purchase turned 110,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, had his supporters as the 10-3 joint-favourite for Friday evening's MansionBet Proud To Support British Racing EBF Novice S. at Newbury. The March-foaled bay was prominent throughout the six-furlong test and gave little cause for concern, powering clear of overmatched rivals to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status in style. Qaader was quickly into stride to race in a leading wave of three spread across the track...

Preparing elite stallions for a strenuous breeding season can be a challenge when also dealing with freezing temperatures in Central Kentucky. Darley has found a program that circumvents the unpredictable climate and also tailors exercise to each individual stallion with the addition of an aqua treadmill at Jonabell Farm. Darley stallion manager Graham Lovatt spoke of his idea for the new fitness plan. "I've always wanted to have an exercise program. Many farms will ride their stallions or use a roller and side reins and go for a hand walk...