MG1SW Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}-Pretty Please {Ire}, by Dylan Thomas {Ire}) will stand at Haras d'Etreham in 2021, Etreham announced on Tuesday. The stud and SF Bloodstock in association with Darley and Dayton Investments will be involved with the three-time Group 1 winner's stallion career. A fee for the Sept. 6 G1 Prix du Moulin hero, who will join Almanzor (Fr), Hello Youmzain (Fr), City Light (Fr) and Scissor Kick (Aus), will be announced later. His final race will be the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 4.
Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d'Etreham said, “We are very pleased to have made an agreement with Dayton Investments and Godolphin to partner in the stallion career of Persian King. This is a very positive sign for France and demonstrates their confidence in our breeding industry and racing system. This is also wonderful for French breeders who will have access to such a high-class horse from his first covering season. He attempts an exceptional challenge in the Arc and will retire to the Haras d'Etreham following this race.”
Trained by Andre Fabre throughout his career, the bay was named a 'TDN Rising Star' at two and in his final race that year, saluted in the G3 Autumn S. at Newmarket for Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd. Godolphin joined Ballymore in the ownership of Persian King and he picked up right where he left off, taking the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau and G1 French 2000 Guineas in quick succession, before running second in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club. This season he has added the G2 Prix du Muguet, G1 Prix d'Ispahan and Prix du Moulin to his ledger. His only performance out of the top two in his 12 starts was a fourth in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois in August. His earnings stand at $1,292,499.
“Persian King has shown great courage and consistency in all his races,” said trainer Andre Fabre. “He is a very calm horse, very relaxed but with a high cruising speed and explosive acceleration. He showed his quality at 2-years-old by beating two future Group1 winners at Newmarket and he progressed further at three and four. I am delighted that this magnificent horse will remain in France and join one of this country's leading studs.”
The second foal from his winning dam, Persian King was bred by Dayton Investments Ltd. in Ireland. His dam is a half-sister to G1 Prix Ganay hero Planteur (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who ran second in both the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Grand Prix de Paris. Farther back are French Highweight, MGSW & G1SP Policy Maker (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil hero Pushkin (Ire) (Caerleon), who ran second in the G1 Prix du Cadran. The outstanding European Horse of the Year Peintre Celebre (Nureyev) is under the Group 3-winning fourth dam Petroleuse (Ire) (Habitat). Petroleuse is kin to English Horse of the Year and French Classic victress Pawneese (Ire) (Carvin II {Fr}).
Anthony Stroud said, “Persian King was a magnificent yearling on whom we based high hopes. He represents a very interesting stallion prospect and I am delighted that Dayton Investment and Godolphin retain their involvement in his future stud career in France. Haras d'Etreham boasts a rich history and a dynamic roster of stallions, so this represents an ideal partnership.”
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