By John Boyce
May 13, 1977. The legendary Vincent O'Brien sends a grey filly by Sir Ivor to The Curragh for her racecourse debut. In the colours of Robert Sangster worn by stable jockey Tommy Murphy, the filly defies her starting price of 16-1 to win impressively by three lengths. Nothing remarkable about a Ballydoyle runner scoring on debut at The Curragh. But this was no ordinary maiden, it was the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas. The filly in question, Lady Capulet, exploded on the scene and although her racing career amounted to just three starts, she was to play a huge part in the future of the bloodstock world through her Sadler's Wells son El Prado (Ire).
Lady Capulet's son–a handsome 330,000-guinea yearling–would go on to win the G1 National S., the G2 Beresford S. and the G3 Railway S. Rated 119 by Timeform at two, he failed to train on as a 3-year-old, running unplaced in three outings. So, given his lack of progress at three, plus his distinct preference for some cut in the ground, El Prado's recruitment for stallion duties by Adena Springs in Kentucky looked like a brave move at the time. But it is one that has paid handsome dividends.
He's one of only three European-raced colts to have become US Champion sires since Nasrullah back in 1962, winning the title in 2002. He's sired 82 stakes winners at an excellent rate of 10.4% to starters, from mares whose output with other sires was 7.1%. But what is even more impressive is the fact that among sons of Sadler's Wells, El Prado is responsible for three of the seven most prolific grandsons of Sadler's Wells in Medaglia d'Oro (112 stakes winners), Kitten's Joy (86 stakes winners) and Artie Schiller (44 stakes winners).
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