Scorpion joins Coolmore NH ranks
9th November 2007
Montjeu’s triple Group 1-winning son Scorpion has been retired from racing and will stand under the Coolmore N.H. banner at Castle Hyde Stud. The first of his three Group 1 victories came as a 3-year-old with a runaway success in the Grand Prix de Paris over a mile and a half on good ground at Longchamp. He next displayed his versatility by adding the St. Leger at Doncaster over an extra two furlongs in heavy conditions. After this classic victory, the racing post analysis described him as “a class act” and predicted further success at the highest level. This was to come this season back at his best trip of a mile and a half with a victory in the Coronation Cup - a race won in the past by Be My Native. As well as his three victories at Group 1 level Scorpion ran several fine races in defeat, most notably finishing a half-length second to World Champion Hurricane Run in the Irish Derby.And as if being a triple Group 1 winner by Montjeu wasn’t enough, Scorpion’s pedigree on the distaff side looks tailor made for the winter game. His dam is out of a half-sister to the dual Ascot Gold Cup winner Ardross - himself sire of champion hurdler Alderbrook – and this is also the immediate family of popular national hunt sire Alflora, who is responsible for Grade 1-winning chasers Central House and Hand Inn Hand along with last season’s star novice hurdler Amaretto Rose.
“The Coolmore national hunt sires have already made a fantastic start to the new season and we are delighted to have added another outstanding prospect to the roster in Scorpion. He finished first or second in ten of his 15 races and he’s is an exceptionally good-looking horse with all the qualities required to make a top sire,” said Coolmore’s David Magnier.
