Irish National Stud welcomes Decorated Knight to its roster

The Irish National Stud has made a significant addition to its roster for 2018 with Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar's three-time Group 1 winner Decorated Knight to take up stallion duties at the County Kildare operation.

"The Irish National Stud are thrilled to add a high-class son of Galileo to our burgeoning roster," said the stud's chief executive Cathal Beale. "With performance, physical and pedigree to die for, Decorated Knight ticks all the boxes."

Decorated Knight won eight times while in the care of Roger Charlton, a race record that includes a trio of Group 1 wins in 2017.

He made his top-level breakthrough in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan in March, when he overcame trouble in running to claim the lead close home. His domestic campaign began with an authoritative success in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, in which he comfortably beat the likes of Deauville, Success Days and Johannes Vermeer.

The best was still to come, however, as he produced a remarkable last-to-first performance to claim the Irish Champion Stakes, with his devastating turn of foot propelling him to the front inside the final furlong to win going away. Those victories contributed to the five-year-old registering career earnings of more than £1.3 million.

The five-year-old son of Galileo also won a pair of Listed races and a Group 3 in a career that was hallmarked by toughness and steady but relentless progression.

Decorated Knight also boasts a flawless pedigree to match his enviable race record. Al Homaizi and Al Sagar's homebred is the first foal out of Pearling, a 1,300,000gns purchase for Tony Nerses - adviser to Al Homaizi and Al Sagar - at the 2011 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

A daughter of Storm Cat, Pearling is out of the blue hen Mariah's Storm, which makes her a sister to the prolific Group 1 winner and sire Giant's Causeway and Cherry Hinton winner You'resothrilling, who is perhaps better known as the dam of Group 1-winning siblings in Marvellous, Gleneagles and Happily.

The Galileo - Storm Cat cross has proved one of the most potent nicks of recent times, having also been responsible for talents such as Churchill, Clemmie, and Misty For Me - the dam of US Navy Flag and Roly Poly.

"Decorated Knight has the distinction of being the best horse bred by Blue Diamond Stud and we're delighted that he is to stand at the Irish National Stud." said Nerses. "He possesses an excellent turn of foot as well as durability that saw him win three Group 1 races this season.

"He is also a member of one of the most influential families of the modern era, being out of a sister to champion sire Giant's Causeway and multiple Group 1 producer You'resothrilling. We look forward to supporting him strongly at stud."

Fees for Decorated Knight and the other stallions on the Irish National Stud's roster will be released in the coming days.

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