Classy stayer Doha Dream signed up to Haras du Hoguenet

Doha Dream, a smart son of Shamardal, has been retired and will take up stallion duty at Haras du Hoguenet in Normandy next year.

The five-year-old was trained by Andre Fabre for owner and breeder Al Shaqab Racing.

He enjoyed a productive three-year-old season, when he won two middle-distance Listed contests and took the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay over 1m7f at Chantilly on Arc weekend.

He was a narrowly beaten second in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville last year and filled the same position in the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville this season.

Doha Dream is out of the placed King's Best mare Crystal Reef, a half-sister to Coastal Path, Martaline and Reefscape – all high-class talents and sires of National Hunt Grade 1 winners.

Hoguenet manager Anthony Baudouin told Jour de Galop: “Doha Dream should attract a mixed book thanks to his outstanding maternal pedigree, with Crystal Reef being a half-sister to Martaline in particular.

“He is a good stayer, with his best performances coming over distances between 12 and 15 furlongs, and he is an attractive horse by Shamardal measuring 1.67 metres.

“His half-brother Matfog is one of the leading hopes for Arnaud Chaille-Chaille in 2019 after making a very eye-catching debut at Auteuil.”

Doha Dream has been assigned a fee of €2,500 and will stand alongside Dastarhon (€1,500), Manatee (€3,000 for a colt foal, €1,500 for fillies), Montmartre (€6,500) and Penny's Picnic (€5,000).