JUVENILE ace and classic star Mastercraftsman (by Danehill Dancer) made an immediate impact as a member of the European stallion ranks and his latest batch of three-year-olds includes at least two notable classic prospects, Alpha Centuri and Wind Chimes. His first crop featured the top-class filly Amazing Maria and classic heroes The Grey Gatsby and Kingston Hill. Both of those males are now at stud and the latter joined his sire at Coolmore.
Winner of the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at two and runner-up in the Group 1 Derby at Epsom before taking the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster, Kingston Hill’s first yearlings will be on offer this coming summer and autumn.
He began his career with a seven-furlong Newbury win in late September of his juvenile season, followed-up in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes over a mile at Newmarket and then beat Johann Strauss by four and a half lengths to take his first Group 1. He was only beaten about five lengths when out of the frame behind Night Of Thunder in what was a vintage edition of the Group 1 2000 Guineas the following spring, and after chasing home Australia at Epsom, he finished a four-length fourth to Mukhadram in the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.
Aside from his classic success, the only other time he was seen in action was when finishing fourth to Treve, Flintshire and Taghrooda in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
A son of Group 3 Prix de Flore scorer Audacieuse (by Rainbow Quest), he is out of a half-sister to Group 3 Acomb Stakes winner Waiter’s Dream (by Oasis Dream) and a grandson of a half-sister to Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) and Group 1 Prix de la Foret heroine Danseuse Du Soir (by Thatching).
That star became the dam of juvenile mile Group 1 scorer Scintillo (by Fantastic Light) and of multiple Irish Group 3 winner Jumbajukiba (by Barathea), her siblings include the classic-placed Circus Dance (by Sadler’s Wells), and also Danseuse Du Nord (by Kahyasi), the Group 2-placed grandam of Grade 1-placed multiple Group/Grade 3 winner Danzon (by Royal Academy).
With these family connections, it is no surprise that Kingston Hill showed his best from a mile to the extended 14 furlongs. He will get two-year-old winners, of course, with some of them potentially late-season blacktype earners, but it is over the classic distances that many of his offspring may be seen to best effect.
KINGSTON HILL (GB), Grey or Roan 2011. 2nd top rated 2yr old colt in Europe in 2013. Champion 3yr old stayer in Europe in 2014. Won four races, £1,104,278, from 7 furlongs to 1 mile 6½ furlongs, at 2 and 3 years including, Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes, Doncaster, Gr.1, Racing Post Trophy, Doncaster, Gr.1, Autumn Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.3, also placed 2nd Investec Derby Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1.
Retired to stud in 2016, first crop now yearlings.
Stands at: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Co Tipperary, Ireland.
Contact: Christy Grassick, David O’Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Tim Corballis, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Mathieu Legars or Jason Walsh
Telephone: +353 (0)52 6131298
Email: sales@coolmore.ie
Web: www.coolmore.com
Fee: €5,000