'He's the equine equivalent of the Rock!' - Far Above joins Starfield Stud

Far Above has been retired from racing and will take up stallion duties at Starfield Stud near Mullingar in County Westmeath for 2021.

The son of Farhh was purchased by Jack Cantillon of Tinnakill House and founder of the popular Syndicates.Racing ownership group, which has campaigned the likes of Kerry and Munster National winner Cabaret Queen.

Far Above will stand under Cantillon's Bloodstock.Racing banner in association with Micheál Orlandi's Compas Stallions, while previous owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum has retained an interest.

"I'm thrilled to be able to purchase such a brilliant talent in Far Above," said Cantillon. "He blew me away twice this year; blitzing the Rowley Mile in 58 seconds in the Palace House and, on inspection, he's the equine equivalent of the Rock.

"Micheál and I are looking forward to having some fun and doing things differently to make a success of Far Above at stud, and we would like to thank Sheikh Rashid Dalmook for his faith in our vision for his brilliant sprinter. We hope breeders will want to be part of that vision too."

Far Above won four of his five starts for James Tate, winning a seven-furlong maiden on Newmaket's Rowley Mile on debut, which was followed by a five-length victory in a Windsor novice event before he stepped up to stakes company for the first time.

His first foray into black-type company saw him travel to Deauville, where he got the better of the smart Duhail to land the Listed Prix Kistena over six furlongs.

The most potent weapon in Far Above's armoury was his blistering speed, as he demonstrated when dropped to five furlongs for the first time in the Palace House Stakes. Despite taking on a field of seasoned and classy sprinters, including the high-class Judicial, he simply blew his 11 rivals away to land the Rowley Mile Group 3 by three-quarters of a length.

His trainer said: "He has an electric pace like I've never seen. He's the fastest horse I've ever trained."

Micheál Orlandi with Compas Stallions' Smooth DaddyCredit: Patrick McCann

Bred by Mohamed Abdul Malik, Far Above is the first foal out of Dorraar, a winning daughter of Shamardal who in turn is out of a half-sister to the dual top-level winner Nahrain, who has also found fame as the dam of Benbatl. Far Above shares his sire with the likes of King Of Change and Dee Ex Bee, while Shamardal is also the broodmare sire of Awtaad, Hello Youmzain and Latrobe.

Orlandi said: "In an industry where success is reliant on speed, I'm delighted to offer breeders Far Above, probably the fastest horse retiring to stud in 2021. Physically, he's breathtaking. He's an exciting addition to the Compas Stallion roster, which highlights our commitment to bring speed to breeders."

Far Above was bought for Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale, where Blandford Bloodstock's Richard Brown struck a winning bid of 105,000gns.

The agent said: "Far Above made one of the fastest times of the sale look effortless in his breeze. That precocity, his popular proven sire and imposing sprinter physique ticks all boxes for us."

A fee for Far Above will be announced shortly, while a limited number of breeding rights are available.

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