FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND is a sire whose successes worldwide are such that they probably make him more popular abroad than he sometimes is at home.

The now 22-year-old this year commanded the lowest fee he has ever stood for, €8,000 at Castle Hyde Stud, and this has generally been in decline, though with long periods of stability, since he retired to stand at Coolmore in 2005 at €25,000. He has sired Group 1 winners in France, Italy, Argentina and Australia, while the Group 1 Matron Stakes winner Chachamaidee is the only winner at that level that he has sired in Europe.