Champion colt Pride of Dubai is set to be one of the most exciting new additions to the Australian stallion ranks after being retired to stud today. The two time G1 winner will retire to Coolmore Australia in the NSW Hunter Valley and demand for the wonderfully masculine colt is set to be immense.
Pride of Dubai stamped himself as one of the most exciting colts in Australia when winning the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and G1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes in back to back starts as a juvenile. These two performances were enough to see him crowned NSW Two-Year-Old of the Year and be shortlisted for the title of Australia Two-Year-Old of the Year. He retires as the winner of $A1.3 million from only five starts.
Co-owned by his breeder Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Coolmore, Emmaroo Bloodstock and the China Horse Club, Pride of Dubai is assured every chance to make his mark at stud and fill the void left by his champion sire Street Cry who passed away in 2014.
Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden were naturally upset to have outlined the close to the young colt’s career with a reoccurring muscle injury closing out his racing career prematurely. “We’ve been robbed of seeing his best,” Co-trainer Peter Snowden told Sky Channel’s Andrew Bensley this morning.
Pride of Dubai emerged as one of the hottest commodities in world racing in 2015 bringing together a priceless mix of athleticism, race performance and pedigree. The bay colt is by the former champion stallion Street Cry and out of a stakes placed mare who is herself a half-sister to G1 French Oaks winner Rahfa who is the dam of champion European sire Invincible Spirit.
“It has been a joy to be a part of the first stage of the Pride of Dubai journey with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Coolmore and the Murray family, it is a shame we didn’t get to see what [Pride of Dubai] was capable of this autumn but he will be given time to let down now at Coolmore and his career as a stallion is immensely exciting,” said Eden Harrington, China Horse Club Vice President and Head (Partnerships/Membership).
“The China Horse Club will be supporting him strongly as will our partners and we are immensely excited about the future for this young stallion.”
Such was the appeal of Pride of Dubai that he brought together leading industry players from Dubai, Ireland, Australia and China. The quartet were all represented in Sydney during the Autumn Racing Carnival when Pride of Dubai overcome an unsuitably wet track to power away with the G1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes.
Pride of Dubai is expected to be joined by the reigning Australian Two-Year-Old of the Year Vancouver and G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement at stud in 2016, who the China Horse Club also own in, with the trio joining reigning Australian Horse of the Year Dissident, G1 winner Wandjina and G2 winner Deep Field at stud in Australia. In the United States WinStar Farm is enjoying great interest in its new addition Daredevil while Coolmore Ireland is welcoming the first foals of the 2014 Co-World Champion Three-Year-Old Australia.
“It is always disappointing when an outstanding talent is retired but let’s not forget how exciting Pride of Dubai is as a sire prospect and how exciting the collection of young stallions is that our members are supporting,” Harrington added.
“Our goal is provide members with the best investment opportunities and Pride of Dubai is certainly that. He leaves the stage open for another to emerge. Hopefully one of our promising two-year-olds or one of our established stars like First Seal can fill that void.”
If you would like to learn more about the China Horse Club exclusive membership offer, please contact Mr. Eden Harrington or Ms. Fu Peipei. We look forward to hearing from you.
Mr. Eden HARRINGTON eden@chinahorseclub.com (Hp no : +65 93769968)
Ms. FU Peipei peipei@chinahorseclub.com (Hp no : +86 18600929029)