Haras de Cercy signs up four-time Group 1 winner Ivanhowe

Ivanhowe, a dual Group 1 winner in his native Germany as well as in Australia, has been sold to continue his stallion career at Haras de Cercy in central France.

The nine-year-old son of leading German sire Soldier Hollow is the second new addition to the Cercy roster for 2020 after Derby hero Pour Moi, who has been transferred from Coolmore.

Ivanhowe has stood in France since his retirement from racing in 2017, spending 2018 at Haras du Thenney and this season at Haras d'Annebault.

Bred and originally campaigned by Gestut Schlenderhan, he won the Oppenheim-Union Rennen in impressive fashion at three and started favourite for the German Derby but disappointed in eighth behind Lucky Speed.

He returned in top form at four to win the Gerling-Preis, Grosser Preis von Baden and Grosser Preis von Bayern before running a cracker in sixth in the Japan Cup.

Ivanhowe switched to Australia at five, finishing third in the Caulfield Cup that season, and taking the Doomben Cup at six and the Ranvet Stakes at seven.

He could be described as something of a giant-killer, as he took the scalp of Sea The Moon in the Grosser Preis von Baden and got the better of Hartnell in the Ranvet.

Ivanhowe is out of Indigo Girl, a daughter of Sternkoenig who finished third in the German Oaks, and he holds particular appeal on pedigree for jumps breeders as he is a half-brother to Paul Nicholls' dual Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner Irving.

“Ivanhowe has been bought entirely by the Cercy co-operative and we will syndicate him in the next few days,” said the stud's Andree Cypres.

“The deal was only made possible by Jean Marie Callier, one of our members who is also an agent, talking directly to the horse's Australian owners.

“His racing career, all the way from the age of two to seven, was outstanding and he proved his brilliance by winning four Group 1 races. His father Soldier Hollow is a great sire and he brings a strong German bloodline, which is very attractive for us as we haven't really had access to those genes here before.”

Ivanhowe will stand at a fee of €3,500 to outside breeders and €3,000 for co-operative members, the same terms as for Pour Moi.

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