European breeders will have access to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Helissio, at the National Stud in Newmarket this season for the first time since the five-time Group 1 winner retired from the track.
Helissio was “three-year-old colt of the year” and “European horse of the year” in 1996, when his achievements included an impressive five-length win in the l’Arc. He has since proven himself to be a successful sire in the southern hemisphere, with his three crops of racing progeny winning 144 races and more than £6m in prize money.
Miles Littlewort, director of business development at the National Stud, says: “We are delighted to have this high quality stallion at the National Stud. Helissio produced one of the easiest Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe wins in recent history.”
Helissio’s breeding is very similar to the outstanding Falbrav, who won five Group 1 races and was the British Horseracing Board’s “horse of the year” in 2003; both horses are by Fairy King, a full brother to Sadler’s Wells, and out of Slewpy mares.
The l’Arc winner is not the only new face at the National Stud this season. New season sire, Bollin Eric, who won the St Leger and more than £500,000 during his racing career, has joined the stud, which also stands Bahamian Bounty, Golden Snake and Silver Patriarch.
“Bahamian Bounty is extremely popular and already has around 100 mares on his book for 2004. His progeny have been successful as two-, three- and four-year-olds, both in Europe and in the southern hemisphere,” says Sarah Carmichael of the National Stud.
“We are expecting extremely high levels of interest in Helissio as this is the first chance for European breeders to use him. Silver Patriarch’s first crop of three-year-olds will be hitting the track this season, which makes this is a very exciting time, while Bollin Eric will be available to a limited number of mares in his first season.”
For more information on the stallions standing at the National Stud visit: www.nationalstud.co.uk
