You could have had long odds that El Prado would the first son of Sadler's Wells to have a dramatic influence on the breed and even longer odds that his success would come in North America.
Not that the grey did not have the race record or pedigree to make his mark.
Trained by Vincent O'Brien for Robert Sangster, El Prado won four of six starts at two including the Group 1 National Stakes, Group II Beresford Stakes and Group III Railway Stakes on his way to being named Ireland's Champion Juvenile in 1991.
But he looked well exposed at three when failing to run a place in three starts.
There was also plenty to like about El Prado's female family being a son of the Sir Ivor mare Lady Capulet, who captured the 1977 Irish One Thousand Guineas.
Purchased by Frank Stronach, El Prado went to stud in Kentucky at a time when stallions with turf pedigrees were poison.
Seven years older than Montjeu and nine years older than Galileo, El Prado defied the odds by being hugely successful.
Three of his sons have also become successful stallions.
Two of them, Medaglia d'Oro (USA) and Artie Artie Schiller (USA) shuttle to Australia and a third Kitten's Joy probably should have.
Kitten's Joy has become a leading sire of turf performers in the US.
Medaglia d'Oro began his stud career in the US by siring one of the all-time greats, Champion
He now has another daughter that could be anything, the undefeated Songbird.
From his first Australian crop came multiple Group III winner Nostradamus who stands his first season at Rosemont Stud, and other stakes-winners in Durendal, Federal and Ruling Dynasty.
From his second crop came Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, who stands his first season at Coolmore Stud this spring, and Group III winner Shards.
In the third crop were dual Group II winner Astern, Listed winners Tessera and Trenchant.
Astern and Tessera have stakes assignments on Saturday with the former in the Group I Golden Rose at Rosehill and the latter in the Group II Danehill Stakes at Flemington.
Astern (photo Lis Grimm) has just one blemish on an otherwise perfect record.
He finished down the track in the Golden Slipper but owns victories in the Group II Silver Slipper and Group III Kindergarten Stakes and at his seasonal debut in the Group II Run To The Rose where he was at his tenacious best in downing the high-class Star Turn and Impending.
Bred by Darley, Astern is the third foal and third winner out of the Exceed And Excel mare Essaouira who showed ability in a career restricted to just two starts.
She won on debut at Moonee Valley before finishing unplaced in a Listed race at Caulfield.
The daughter of Exceed And Excel is the only foal left in Australia by the Group II Magic Night Stakes winner Alizes who was sent to America by Darley Stud.
By the speed influence Rory's Jester, Alizes is a daughter of the Group 1 Galaxy Stakes heroine La Baraka (Euclase) herself out of the 5-time Group 1 winner Triscay.
Essaouira has a 2yo filly by Sepoy named Alizee and yearling filly foal by Animal Kingdom (USA). She was bred back to Brazen Beau last spring.
