High-class James Garfield joins Rathbarry Stud roster for 2019

High-class talent James Garfield has been retired from racing and will join the Rathbarry Stud roster for the 2019 breeding season.

The Cashman family's operation acquired the horse from Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs in a deal brokered by Howson and Houldsworth Bloodstock.

Rathbarry Stud's Paul Cashman said of the new recruit: "He was a very tough and genuine racehorse; a Group-winning two-year-old who carried it on to be a Group winner at three.

Relive James Garfield's Mill Reef Stakes win

"He's by a very fashionable sire in both hemispheres. Exceed And Excel is one of the few stallions who has been a success in the northern and southern hemisphere.

"I loved James Garfield's hardiness and his ability to cope with different ground conditions. I'm sure he'll prove to be a very commercial horse for breeders."

Owned by Bill and Tim Gredley and trained by George Scott throughout his 14-race career, James Garfield was a precocious juvenile who first hinted at his abundant talent when a fast-finishing third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot on only his second outing.

Exceed And Excel: James Garfield is one of 256 stakes performers by the iconic shuttle sireCredit: Darley

He went on to win his maiden in emphatic style before recording a commanding success in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, a race that boasts an illustrious roll of honour, including Harry Angel and Ribchester.

James Garfield began his three-year-old season with victory in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes, where he saw off the likes of Expert Eye and Hey Gaman.

He recorded a career-best when agonisingly nailed late on by Polydream in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, with top-level winners The Tin Man, Librisa Breeze, Unfortunately and Brando in behind.

He is a son of leading shuttle stallion and increasingly important sire of sires Exceed And Excel, and out of the Daylami mare Whazzat, winner of the 2004 Chesham Stakes.

The colt boasts a page rich in stallion potential, as Whazzat is out of a half-sister to Rafha, the dam of deeply influential sires Invincible Spirit and Kodiac.

A fee will be announced at a later date.

More stallion news:

Rajasinghe to join the National Stud roster in 2019

Stoute pays tribute to 'great competitor' Poet's Word as he retires to stud