Breeders' Cup Turf hero Talismanic joins Darley Japan stallion roster

Breeders' Cup Turf hero Talismanic has been retired from racing and will now take up stallion duties at Darley Japan for the 2019 breeding season.

Harry Sweeney, president of Darley Japan, said: "We're really excited to have Medaglia D'Oro's best turf son, Talismanic, in Japan. He has a wonderful pedigree, his exceptional sire has sent out numerous winners in a variety of races and his family has produced many big-name horses.

"He's extremely attractive with a gorgeous body, and we're looking forward to introducing him to our clients in Japan."

A Darley homebred, Talismanic was a seven-length winner at two and was campaigned almost exclusively in stakes company thereafter. He retires with eight wins to his name and over £2.56 million in prize-money earnings.

The undoubted highlight of his racing days under the care of Andre Fabre came when he landed the 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar, in which he beat the likes of Beach Patrol and Highland Reel.

He also recorded successes in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil and Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron, and also finished runner-up in the 2017 Hong Kong Vase.

Talismanic is one of 21 Group/Grade 1 winners by the internationally influential Medaglia D'Oro, whose yearlings have been in high demand at recent sales, with eight yearlings having made $1m or more this year alone.

Talismanic is out of the Grade 3-winning and Grade 1-placed Machiavellian mare Magic Mission, who has produced six winners. Among his siblings is Witnessed, dam of the Group 3 Prix des Chenes winner Stage Magic, while the family also includes talented Japanese performer Logi Cry.

Talismanic joins a growing number of sire sons of Medaglia D'Oro, a list that includes Australian Group 1 winner Astern and Hill 'N' Dale Farms' Violence. The eight-strong roster at Darley Japan is completed by Admire Moon, American Patriot, Discreet Cat, Furioso, King's Best, Monterosso and Pyro.

A fee for Talismanic will be announced at a later date.

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