One of the best stallions on the planet.
15th May 2008
In February 1990, after Sadler's Wells had been represented by his first crop of three-year-olds, I ventured the suggestion that he might prove to be the best stallion ever to have stood in Ireland
It was an assessment that seriously underestimated his potential. Sadler's Wells has been one of the very best stallions to have stood anywhere on the planet.
I had not envisaged his record-breaking achievement of 14 Anglo-Irish sires' championships, nor the phenomenal success of his progeny in the European Pattern, where victory number 299 was registered yesterday by Prospect Wells in Saint-Cloud's Group 2 Prix Greffulhe.
Sadler's Wells now leads his former Coolmore companion Danehill by 111 in terms of overall Pattern wins, and by 38 (104 to 66) in Group 1 wins.
His tallies – still far from complete while three crops on the ground remain unraced and the last has yet to see the light of day – will remain unassailable for decades and may well stand for all time.
Bred by Swettenham Stud and Partners, and raced for two seasons in the coloursof Robert Sangster, Sadler's Wells was a model racehorse, classy, game and consistent, his six victories from 11 starts including top-level triumphs in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Eclipse and the Irish Champion Stakes. He was also runner-up in the Prix du Jockey-Club and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
That record, and an impeccable pedigree – by Northern Dancer out of an unbeaten half-sister to Nureyev – ensured that he would be a favourite with breeders from the start of his stud innings at Coolmore in 1985.
After his first-crop sons Prince Of Dance and Scenic dead-heated for first place in the Dewhurst Stakes, it was clear that he could depend on a ready supply of top-class mares for the long term.
That term has turned out to be one of 24 seasons in service, in which he has not just rewritten the record books in several areas by reason of his progeny's performances on the racecourse, but moreover, in bringing enormous benefits to Coolmore and to Ireland's bloodstock industry, he has ensured himself enduring representation in the breed.
Daughters of Sadler's Wells have produced winners of 134 European Pattern races, a tally second only to that of Habitat (164), and he seems certain to claim first place before this decade is out.
Recent years have brought the likes of Montjeu and Galileo to the fore as his worthy successors.
But whatever his sons may achieve in the future, none will eclipse the influence of their sire, a phenomenon whose like the breeding industry will never see again.
Tributes
Aidan O'Brien, trainer of
“Sadler's Wells is an amazing sire and I count myself very lucky to have trained so many of his best sons and daughters.
The best of them, like Galileo and High Chaparral, showed real brilliance at two and then improved again at three and were a pleasure to train. As a rule, they are very good-actioned horses with great temperaments and a tremendous will to win.”
Michael Goodbody, former managing director of Gainsborough Stud, breeder of Moonshell.
“I think he's one of the most exceptional stallions there's ever been. He's now proving an exceptional broodmare sire and in the last few years he's proved himself an exceptional sire of sires. He was a fantastic influence and he transmitted a tremendous amount of correctness, which is so important.”
Charlie Gordon-Watson, bloodstock agent who purchased Liffey Dancer for 2.5 million guineas at Tattersalls last year.
“What can you say? He's been the most phenomenal stallion in the history of the thoroughbred and his influence will continue forever.”
Tom Goff, Blandford Bloodstock.
“It is almost impossible to come up with superlatives that can do his extraordinary career any justice. His impact on the European thoroughbred is almost incalculable, to say nothing of the amount of money he must have earned his owners in stud fees. He's a champion sire, a sire of sires and a champion broodmare sire.”
Ben Sangster, son of Sadler's Wells's late owner Robert Sangster.
“He was a phenomenal horse. His legacy will live on through his sons and daughters and their sons and daughters. He has the likes of Montjeu and Galileo among many others to continue his bloodline. I don't remember much about his racing days as I was only a child myself, but he showed he was a classy and tough performer. He was a son of Northern Dancer and he has continued that legacy, as I'm sure his progeny will continue his. A number of his sons and daughters will probably be lining up at Epsom this year – and for the next couple of years to come – and his influence will continue."
Article from Tony Morris, Racing Post 13th May 2008
