LITTLE is guaranteed in life but, having secured a place at stud at the end of his racing career, that Yorgunnabelucky (Giant’s Causeway) would sire winners was surely one of those things.

He has never had the sort of numbers that many of his cohorts have enjoyed, but his small early crops have yielded several multiple winners, notably the 10-time scorer Lucky’s Dream, plus Lets Go Lucky. The latter won on the turf and Tapeta for the David Evans stable as a two-year-old, those two seven-furlong wins achieved by a combined margin of five lengths, and she added another win over the trip in 2020, scoring at Lingfield in the hands of Hollie Doyle.

Lucky’s Dream, by contrast, has won eight times over 10 furlongs, once over 12 furlongs plus one from two starts in bumpers. He too is effective on both turf and the artificial tracks.

However, Fortunes Melody is the most notable of all for their sire to date. Now trained by Harry Fry and owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the four-year-old was a Grade 2-placed listed hurdle winner in France last year for the David Cottin stable.

Yorgunnabelucky raced only on turf, winning five times over middle distances and achieving a peak rating of 104. He outclassed his rivals when winning a 10-furlong Redcar maiden by 16 lengths, won over the same trip at Yarmouth, over 12 furlongs at Ascot and Pontefract and, as a five-year-old, added a 14-furlong handicap at Newmarket.

The evidence suggests that he had more stamina than his famous full-brother Shamardal, even though that celebrity’s track career was cut short before he had the chance to try beyond 10 and a half furlongs.

However, with the number of Shamardal’s offspring who have excelled as sprinters and milers outweighing the number who have been best over middle distances, it is likely true. That much-lamented dual classic star is an outstanding sire, and with a small final crop of his foals arriving this year, his tallies of 26 Group 1 stars among 152 stakes winners is certain to increase more.

Of course, Helsinki (Machiavellian), the dam of Shamardal and Yorgunnabelucky, was out of the Group 1 Irish Oaks heroine Helen Street (Troy) and that made her a full-sister to Grade 1 winner and champion sire Street Cry, forever to be remembered as the sire of Winx and Zenyatta.

Yorgunnabelucky has 21 yearlings, he covered 48 mares in 2020, and with the results he has achieved so far it seems likely that he has a bright future as a dual-purpose sire.

YORGUNNABELUCKY (USA), Bay 2006. Won five races, £59,868, from 1 mile 2 furlongs to 1 mile 6 furlongs, 3 to 5 years, also won five races and £1,048.

Retired to Stud in 2013, and sire of the winners of 16 races, and £109,275 and sire of the winners of 8 races, and £149,810 under N.H. Rules, including FORTUNES MELODY (GB)

Stands at: Mickley Stud, Tern Hill, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3QW, England.

Contact: Richard Kent or Clare Lloyd

Telephone: +44 (0)1630 638840 or +44 (0)7973 315722

Email: mickleystud@btconnect.com

Web: www.mickleystud.co.uk

Fee: £2,000