Authorized (Ire), the brilliant Derby-winning son of Montjeu (Ire) who has made his name as a leading jumps sire through the exploits of Tiger Roll (Ire), Nichols Canyon (GB) and I Am Maximus (Fr), is set to return to Ireland where he will stand at Ger O'Neill's Capital Stud in County Kilkenny.
O'Neill revealed on Thursday that a deal has been struck with the Jockey Club of Turkey, where Authorized has stood since 2020, to bring the 19-year-old back to a jurisdiction where his stock is in most demand.
Dual Grand National and multiple Cheltenham festival winner Tiger Roll has advertised the prowess of Authorized over jumps with great distinction but the 2007 Derby hero is more than just a one-hit wonder. Stayers' Hurdle scorer Nichols Canyon and this year's Irish Grand National victor I Am Maximus have also done their bit to add to the reputation of Authorized over jumps.
Those results have carried over to the sales ring, where 3-year-old stores by Authorized averaged over €90,000 this year, and O'Neill is convinced the move to bring the stallion back to Ireland on the eve of his 20th birthday will represent good news for National Hunt breeders.
Speaking on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, O'Neill said, “We're delighted to announce that we have secured Authorized and bought him back from Turkey. He's just gone into quarantine now and he'll be back to stand with us here at Capital Stud in the new year. He [Authorized obviously won the Derby himself and is a very famous horse. Through his progeny, he's really starting to leave a legacy with Tiger Roll and I Am Maximus both Grand National winners.”
O'Neill added, “[His success is] probably from a lot of Flat mares, not National Hunt mares, his statistics are unbelievable. He's 65% runners to winners and his progeny at the sales are really sought after. He's averaging 100,000 for his geldings this year at the store sales. He's really sought after by all of the best trainers and everybody wants to have an Authorized.
“I [spent] the last seven or eight months trying to buy him. The Jockey Club of Turkey have never sold a stallion. It has been a long process and we have built up the reputation. We gave a lot of money for him. He's an older horse and is turning 20 so it's a big risk. A few of us got together and put the money up. I suppose we were thinking with our hearts as much as our heads on this one as we really wanted to have him home.”
Authorized will stand alongside fellow recent recruits Triple Threat (GB) and Castle Star (Ire) along with Mirage Dancer (GB), Hunting Horn (Ire) and Alkumait (GB) at Capital Stud in 2024.
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