Irish Derby hero Santiago retired to stand at Coolmore's Castlehyde Stud

Santiago, winner of last year's Irish Derby and Queen's Vase, has been retired from racing and will join Coolmore's National Hunt roster at Castlehyde Stud.

The three-time winner holds an attractive pedigree for National Hunt breeders, being a son of Derby hero Authorized - the sire of dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll and Stayers' Hurdle winner Nichols Canyon, who struck in eight Grade 1 contests.

Bred by Lynch Bages, Santiago is the first foal out of Wadyhatta, a winning daughter of Cape Cross and a half-sister to the stakes-winning French Derby third Motamarris. Wadyhatta is in turn out of Thamarat, a stakes-placed half-sister to Group 1-winning racehorse and sire Tamayuz.

Further back in the page is the outstanding Allegretta family, which is responsible for the likes of Urban Sea, Galileo and Sea The Stars.

Santiago (left): storms home in the Queen's VaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Santiago is a half-brother to this season's Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille third La Joconde, while their dam has a two-year-old Frankel filly named Wien in France and produced a colt by Galileo this year. She returned to Frankel subsequently.

Santiago shelved his maiden tag on his third start at two before winning the Queen's Vase by two and three-quarter lengths from the subsequent St Leger second Berkshire Royal. He followed up with a neck win over future Melbourne Cup runner-up Tiger Moth in the Irish Derby, while he was also third in the Goodwood Cup and fourth in the St Leger.

This year, Santiago's best effort in four starts came when second to Spanish Mission in the Yorkshire Cup, with Sir Ron Priestley and Nayef Road in behind.

Cathal Murphy of Castlehyde said: “Santiago is a Derby winner with a pedigree full of Derby winners and leading sires. He’s a big, quality individual with a fantastic action, and I’m sure National Hunt breeders will be very impressed when they see him.”

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

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