Regret to report that my workplace have changed anti-virus/malware software and this site is now blocked I can still get on in the evenings and possibly occasionally during the day via my phone, but otherwise you'll have to bear with me!
I've not heard anything on his foals, but sadly with them being in Japan we are very unlikely to see many, if any, racing over here. Very few Europeans buy for the European market at the Japanese sales, so the only hope is if a major European breeder sends him a few mares - the Niarchos family and the Wildensteins keep a few mares out there and often bring some offspring back.
I would have guessed about 30,000 (based on the quality of the Derby and subsequent failures); but looking at his pedigree it looks very tasty on both sides. even including a little of Ribot on the dam side (grand sire of Danehill). But there is class all the way through the pedigree, so I might be being a bit harsh. But when one considers that New Approach's stud fee increased from 22,500 to 55,000 only after his initial success at stud anything higher then 30,000 looks a bit high. If they pitch him at 50,000 or more they will probably find no takers and have to be more realistic. That's my view but I'm probably talking out of my backside, as usual.
Many of the major stud farms in Britain also have studs in Ireland - Juddmonte, Darley, Shadwell, Lanwades, etc. the main reason they send the weanlings away is to make room for the next batch of foals that will be born a few months later. The foals will be weaned by October/November and then sent to Ireland to spend a year chilling out, growing and then preparing for life as a racehorse. Some will be broken in at the studs in Ireland, others will be sent to the trainer unbacked.
Why Ireland though Princess - are the facilities there so much better than they could find locally? Obviously the system works, but just curious as the cost involved must be quite substantial for so many horses!
I don't think there is any particular reason for Ireland, other than that is where they happen to have large stud farms that can cope with the numbers of yearlings we are talking about. The studs will have their own transport and staff to move the horses, so the only real cost to them is fuel for the horse boxes and the ferry crossing fees.
You also have to remember these people have money coming out of their ears .................... Hope everything OK with you and the little one Princess?
