‘Smashing first foal, very strong’ is just what we want to hear as the first crop of one of our young stallions emerges and that’s how Pat Jones of Fossbeag Stud describes Flout’s bay filly by Librettist born on 16 January.
She was not, however, Librettist’s first foal. That honour went to a colt out of Tropical Breeze, born on 9 January at Kildangan Stud. Jonathan Mills, stud director for the foal’s owner Rabbah Bloodstock, declares himself to be very happy indeed with the colt, who is the third foal for the seven-year-old Kris mare.
Librettist has another three foals currently on the ground at Shadwell, River Down Stud and Hope Hall Stud. For those awaiting the birth of one of his first crop, it’s too early to see how the sire is going to do, because he obviously doesn’t yet have any runners; however, we’re getting a sneak preview, courtesy of his half-brother Dubai Destination. And, following an extremely promising start with his first two-year-olds in 2007, Dubai Destination is facing the very real possibility of being represented by a live Derby candidate to boost this family of stallions.
Ibn Khaldun just went from strength to strength as a juvenile, following up a Group Three win at Ascot with an emphatic Group One triumph in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, and he looks an obvious candidate to add to the record of past winners of this race, such as recent subsequent Classic winners Authorized, Motivator, American Post and High Chaparral.
Dubai Destination’s burgeoning stud career can only boost the prospects of his half-brother Librettist, because the similarities between the two siblings are great. They were both outstanding milers, the one difference being that Librettist retired with an even better record. His four-year-old campaign in 2006 was superb: his five victories that year included two Group Ones, and he claimed the scalps of many of Europe’s greatest milers, including Manduro (three times), Stormy River, Aussie Rules and Ad Valorem.
Furthermore, both half-brothers are by proven sires of sires: Dubai Destination is by Kingmambo, while Librettist is a son of Danzig, many people’s idea of the ultimate sire of sires courtesy of sire-sons such as Danehill, Green Desert, Anabaa and Chief’s Crown. An added benefit of this cross is that it has already been proven that Danzig works well with his family: champion sprinter Agnes World, a Danzig half-brother to Librettist’s dam Mysterial, is already a Group One-producing stallion.
With Librettist’s first three dams being daughters of Alleged, Seattle Slew and Lyphard, he is blessed with a truly blue-blooded background. We believe that his first foals will be growing in tandem with their father’s reputation.
Librettist stands at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket at £10,000 October 1st Special live foal. For further information, please call our nominations team on +44 (0)1638 730070.
