Caravaggio the latest big name confirmed to shuttle to Australia

High-class sprinter Caravaggio will join the Coolmore Australia roster in the Hunter Valley for the 2018 breeding season, where he will stand for an introductory fee A$33,000 (£18,000/$25,000).

A horse dubbed "the fastest we've ever had" by his trainer, Aidan O'Brien, Caravaggio showed precocious speed from early on in his career, winning on debut before he was 26 months old prior to adding the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh on his second appearance.

Victory in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot followed before a first Group 1, the Phoenix Stakes back at the Curragh, a race that was to be the son of Scat Daddy's final appearance at two.

Kept in training, he made a winning return at three before completing a Royal Ascot double with a win in the Commonwealth Cup, defeating the subsequent dual Group 1 hero Harry Angel in a memorable clash.

It was Harry Angel who brought an end to Caravaggio's perfect record, when beating him into fourth in the July Cup at Newmarket. Caravaggio’s final career victory came in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh, before he finished third in the British Champions Sprint Stakes on his final outing.

Coolmore Australia principal Tom Magnier said he believes the sprinter will be a welcome addition to the Australian breeding industry.

"Caravaggio was a very mature two-year-old that developed into an awesome sprinter," said Magnier. "He has an excellent pedigree, free from Danehill, and all our team see him as the perfect fit for this part of the world.

"With himself and Churchill joining the roster and American Pharoah returning, we’re giving Australian breeders access to three world-class shuttle stallions. It’s a very exciting time for the farm."

The announcement follows confirmation that his Coolmore barnmate Churchill will shuttle to Australia later this year, while Darley also revealed on Monday that Ribchester will be standing at their New South Wales stud for the 2018 southern hemisphere breeding season.

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