Haradasun to Coolmore Australia

Dual Group One winner Haradasun will stand at Coolmore Australia for the 2008 breeding season.

 

General Manager Michael Kirwan today announced that the Group One AJC Doncaster and STC George Ryder Stakes winner, who was voted Australia's Champion 3yo of last season and has to date amassed nearly $2.5million in earnings, will take his place on Coolmore Australia's stallion roster for 2008.

 

"We're delighted that Haradasun will be joining our lineup of stallions for 2008", said Kirwan. "Australasian mare-owners are looking for suitable stallions free of Danehill and in Haradasun we believe that Coolmore can offer the most perfect outcross at the best-value fee available for high-class Danehill-line mares.

 

"Haradasun not only offers a Danehill-free option from the legendary Mr Prospector sire-line; he offers mare-owners also the opportunity of line-breeding to Danzig and/or Star Kingdom, two of the greatest sire influences in the history of world breeding.

 

He is, as anyone who has seen him knows, as magnificent a 'type' as there would be standing anywhere at stud. He's a half-brother, out of that wonderful mare Circles of Gold, to international star Elvstroem, so he's very well bred and we know that Danehill-line blood works with his family. We can't imagine a better Danehill-free option that offers anywhere near the same value."

 

Haradasun has been a high-profile celebrity since first he stepped onto a racetrack.

 

A winner by 10 lengths on debut, in the same race that launched half-brother Elvstroem's career, he showed himself at his next few starts possessed of a rare turn of foot and capable of running sectional times that few horses ever produce.

 

"This horse has the world at his feet", enthused Australia's premier big-race rider Glen Boss after Haradasun's impressive back-to-back Group One wins in two of Australia's most important races at around a mile - the WFA George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Handicap - after which victories his crowning as Australia's Champion 3yo Colt came as a mere formality.

 

Currently in training with Aidan O'Brien in Ireland, Haradasun is being aimed by the 'wizard of Ballydoyle' at Royal Ascot's Group One Queen Anne Stakes in June. "I really like this horse", commented O'Brien recently. "He has tons of speed and is flying at home. I think the mile at Ascot will suit him well and I expect him to be very competitive."

 

Haradasun will stand at a fee of $55,000 for 2008.