World
class multiple European stakes winner, Illustrious Blue (GB), will be standing
at Sonia O'Gorman's Glen Eden farm near Kilmore for the 2017 breeding season.
While the sire had his very first winner just weeks ago, he was left without a
stud following the closure of Jindera Park north of Albury.
An incredibly versatile racehorse, he won five races at three, all on prominent
English tracks and ranging from 1400m to 1800m.
His two biggest successes of his career were at historic Goodwood, in the Group
2 Goodwood Cup over 3200m and the Group 3 Glorious Stakes over 2400m. He also
won the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Royal Ascot and was a first-up winner over
1777m in Dubai.
Towards the end of his racing career, Illustrious Blue campaigned in Australia,
competing in five Group 1 races and was a top ten finisher in Americain's 2010
Melbourne Cup.
"He is a correct and very well-balanced stallion that will suit petite mares,"
O'Gorman said.
"He actually reminds me of Bletchingly. Although not a sprinting type, he will
pass on his amazing versatility. His temperament is just brilliant, and is
lovely to handle and do anything with."
A son of Dansili, Illustrious Blue was proven to be tough and durable having
raced until eight, recording ten wins, ten seconds and seven thirds, earning
$883,084 in prize money.
Dansili sired horses to have raced successfully in Australia have included
Foreteller (ATC Ranvet, MRC Underwood, VRC Makybe Diva), Grand Marshall (ATC
Sydney Cup, MVRC Moonee Valley Cup) and Dandino (VRC Queen's Cup and second in
the Caulfield Cup).
From the small number of Illustrious Blue progeny to have begun their racing
careers, Darren Weir's Navy Blue became his first winner, with promising
progeny also in the stables of Cranbourne trainer Robbie Laing and Caulfield's
Luke Oliver.
"As he has only covered limited numbers of mares in his first few seasons, its
tough for him to be commercial, but with his racetrack performance and
pedigree, he is a beautifully bred Danehill line stallion option for the owner
that is looking to race," O'Gorman said.
"For breeders, their patience will be rewarded, as Illustrious Blue will
produce both quality middle distance and staying horses and let's hope that
along with his owner's support, he will cover some new mares this season to
give him the opportunity a horse of his credentials deserves," Carboni said.
Illustrious Blue will stand for $2,750 inc GST alongside Glen Eden's other new
stallion Scintillo. For more information about either, contact Sonia on 0407
811 411 or visitwww.gleneden.com.au