The Royal Ascot Coventry Stakes winner and dual Group 1 placed Nando Parrado will stand at the Irish National Stud next year.
Bred by Anita Wigan, Nando Parrado was purchased for 165,000gns as a foal and subsequently raced by Paul and Marie McCartan of Ballyphilip Stud, the breeders of champion sprinters Battaash, Harry Angel and Tiggy Wiggy.
Paul McCartan commented: “For me, he was the nicest foal of the year in 2018. He was certainly the nicest foal we have ever bought. He had size and strength, a great hip, a lovely head and action to die for. We are retaining a good chunk of ownership and we will endeavour to buy some of his nicest foals in 2023.”
On just his second start Nando Parrado became the first son of Kodiac to win the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, the premier early season sprint for juveniles in Europe. Showing blistering early speed, he stayed on powerfully all the way to the line to win by 1 length with future Group 1 winner Creative Force in behind.
His jockey Adam Kirby commented, “Nando Parrado was lightning quick in the Coventry, he travelled well and quickened up inside the final furlong; extraordinary for an inexperienced horse. He had superb balance for a two-year-old."
His next start came in the Group 1 Prix Morny, again over six furlongs, finishing second to Group 2 Queen Mary and subsequent Group 1 Commonwealth Cup winner Campanelle.
On his final start at two, he again finished second to a future Group 1 winner; this time to the Champion Stakes winner Sealiway, in the Group 1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere at Longchamp.
Clive Cox, trainer of Nando Parrado, commented: "Nando Parrado had shown me exceptional pace from day one. An imposing physical, he had beautiful balance and was so light on his feet, with an ice cool temperament. Nando Parrado was a joy to train, very sound and his two-year-old performances were top drawer."
Nando Parrado is one of four winners out of the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed mare Chibola and comes from a family steeped in Group 1 performers. His sire, Kodiac, is already the sire of successful stallions Kodi Bear, Ardad and Coulsty.
Irish National Stud CEO, Cathal Beale said: "We are thrilled to be standing Nando Parrado. He was a precocious, high-class two-year-old, by a sire of sires, from a great family and he is an exceptional physical. We are really looking forward to welcoming breeders to see him.”
His covering fee will be released shortly and there will be a limited number of shares available.