'He's going down a storm' - Mirage Dancer and Alkumait have first mares in foal

Castlefield Stud's new stallion recruits have adapted brilliantly to their new roles, with both Group 1 winner Mirage Dancer and Alkumait, successful in the Mill Reef Stakes, successfully getting their first mares in foal.

The duo, who stand under the Capital Bloodstock banner at the Kilkenny farm of renowned producer Ger O'Neill, have proven a hit with breeders.

Mirage Dancer has an outstanding stallion's pedigree, being a son of champion sire Frankel and the dual Group 1 winner Heat Haze, a Green Desert half-sister to leading sire Dansili and Group 1 winners Banks Hill, Intercontinental, Cacique and Champs Elysees, with the latter two also siring Group/Grade 1 winners.

Among the mares covered by the latest descendant of Juddmonte's blue hen Hasili is Bobnval, the dam of two winners to date. She is a Bob Back half-sister to Future Champions Novice Hurdle winner De Valira and to Valiramix, successful in the Bula Hurdle.

"Mirage Dancer is going down a storm," reported Jack Tuohy of Capital Bloodstock. "People who come to inspect him are very positive about him and he's a very good-looking horse. The Frankel factor is an enormous attraction for leading breeders too. He is by the right stallion, has an outstanding pedigree and is a fantastic physical specimen with a race record that speaks for itself."

Alkumait: speedy son of Showcasing has covered his first mares successfullyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The farm's new Flat offering is the Group 2-winning son of Showcasing, Alkumait, who was a high-class juvenile and made 150,000gns as a foal before selling to Shadwell for 220,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1 as a yearling.

His first mares in foal include the Listed-placed Russian Empress, a half-sister to the Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks third Crown Of Light, who is the dam of Listed winner and Group 2-placed Balkan Knight. Russian Empress is also a half-sister to the dams of Group 3 winners Angel's Hideaway, Charlie Farnsbarns and Falest.

Tuohy said: "Alkumait is going down very well with breeders, he has a very commercial profile, which makes him very appealing. We have sold a lot of breeding rights and shares in him also and he is getting plenty of support."

The son of Showcasing stands at a fee of €5,000, while Mirage Dancer is available at €3,500.

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