A MEMBER of the team at Knockhouse Stud, from where late champion sire Beneficial held court for so many years, Libertarian is a first-crop son of classic star and classic sire New Approach, which means he represents the powerful Galileo branch of the mighty Sadler’s Wells (by Northern Dancer) dynasty.
He was also a high-class racehorse. Unraced at two, he made a winning debut over 10 furlongs at Pontefract, was fourth in a Group 3 at Sandown a few weeks later, but then bounced back to beat subsequent classic star Trading Leather by a length and a quarter in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York. He was unplaced behind that tragically ill-fated colt in the Group 1 Irish Derby but chased home Ruler Of The World in the Group 1 Derby at Epsom and, on his final start, finished a two and a half-length fourth to Leading Light in the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster.
Rated 118 by Timeform, Libertarian is the best among a string of winners out of the winning Intrum Morshaan (by Darshaan), yet is a half-brother to the stakes-winning filly Bigzam (by Zamindar) and also to the Group 1-placed, Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes winner Prince Siegfried (by Royal Applause). That gelding also won over hurdles and so did their half-brother Ned Buntline (by Refuse To Bend). In fact, that sibling has been Grade 2-placed over the smaller obstacles, is a winner over fences, and was runner-up in the Grade 3 Grand Annual Chase at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.
Intrum Morshaan is, in turn, a half-sister to US Grade 3 scorer Coney Kitty (by Lycius), and she is a granddaughter of Midnight Child (by Manado), a winning mare who was placed in a listed sprint and whose siblings include the connection to a notable stallion that this family has produced. Her half-sister Never A Lady (by Pontifex) was runner-up in three listed races, including the John of Gaunt Stakes, before producing Listed Sweet Solera Stakes winner Dance Machine (by Green Dancer), the dam of five-time Group 1 star Halling (by Diesis).
The sire of Irish Derby hero and young Overbury Stud stallion Jack Hobbs, Halling also got the Group 1 scorers Cutlass Bay and Cavalryman, and his stallion sons include the pattern winners Coastal Path (sire of Bacardys) and Norse Dancer (sire of Yanworth). Libertarian’s connection to Halling is remote, but his presence on the page shows that a leading sire can emerge from this family.
LIBERTARIAN (GB), Bay 2010. Won two races, £422,209, from 1 mile 2 furlongs to 1 mile 2½ furlongs, at 3 years including, Betfred Dante Stakes, York, Gr.2, also placed 2nd Investec Derby Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1.
Retired to stud in 2015, first crop now two-year-olds.
Stands at: Knockhouse Stud, Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny, Ireland
Contact: Sean and Janet Kinsella
Telephone: +353 (0)51 885170 or +353 (0)51 885363
Email: seankhstud@eircom.net
Web: www.knockhousestud.com
Fee: on application