Green Desert

A consequence of massive book sizes is that it has become even harder for a less obvious prospective stallion to break into the elite tier. However, just as many seemingly excellent stallion prospects over the years have failed to make the grade, and there is still scope for a stallion to succeed against the odds, to 'pull himself up by his bootstraps', to join the elite after having started out considerably farther down the ladder. One such has been the admirable Invincible Spirit (Ire), whose retirement from active service at...

Invincible Spirit (Ire), the sire of 22 individual Group 1 winners worldwide, has been retired from covering duties, the Irish National Stud announced on Wednesday. Now 27, Invincible Spirit was a fixture on the Irish National Stud roster of stallions for 22 consecutive seasons, starting in 2003 after his breakthrough Group 1 victory in the Sprint Cup at Haydock the previous autumn. As a racehorse he won seven of his 17 starts for trainer John Dunlop and owner-breeder Prince Faisal, with his other wins including the Duke Of York Stakes...

The dam of this season's Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) realized 1.9 million guineas from M.V. Magnier at Tuesday's Tattersalls December Mare Sale. Offered as lot 1891, Desert Berry (GB) (Green Desert) was consigned by Strawberry Fields Stud. The 13-year-old mare is also responsible for Hong Kong Group 3 victor Archie McKellar (GB) (aka Flying Thunder). Desert Crown was sold in foal to Nathaniel, meaning she is carrying a full-sibling to Desert Crown.     ⚜️ . # Desert Berry, whose son Desert Crown won this year's Derby,...