Five more racing stars whose careers at stud failed to fire

Following the news that Godolphin are considering their options after Barney Roy proved to be subfertile upon joining the Dalham Hall roster, we take a look at five other stars whose stallion careers did not work out as anticipated.

Al Kazeem

Highest RPR 126

Group wins Tattersalls Gold Cup, Curragh - Gr.1 (twice), Coral-Eclipse, Sandown - Gr.1, Prince of Wales's Stakes, Ascot - Gr.1, Prix d'Harcourt, Longchamp - Gr.2, Jockey Club Stakes, Newmarket - Gr. 2, Winter Hill Stakes, Windsor - Gr.3, Gordon Richards Stakes, Sandown - Gr.3

Bought by the Queen and retired to the Royal Studs in Sandringham in 2014 at an £18,000 fee, Al Kazeem won three top-flight races on the bounce during the summer of 2013. Found to be subfertile, he was bought back by owner John Deer, who raced him for two more seasons before retiring the son of Dubawi to his Oakgrove Stud in Chepstow. His small first crop included the Listed-placed Golden Spell.

George Washington

Highest RPR 130

Group wins Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Ascot - Gr.1, 2,000 Guineas, Newmarket - Gr.1, National Stakes, Curragh - Gr.1, Phoenix Stakes, Curragh - Gr.1, Railway Stakes, Curragh - Gr.2

George Washington retired to Coolmore at a €60,000 fee at the end of his three-year-old campaign in 2006 but the four-time Group 1 winner managed to impregnate only one mare in his sole season at stud before the Coolmore partners decided to continue racing the ill-fated son of Danehill. That foal turned out to be the winning Date With Destiny, the dam of Listed winner Beautiful Morning.

Kingsgate Native

Highest RPR 123

Group wins Nunthorpe Stakes, York - Gr.1, Golden Jubilee Stakes, Ascot - Gr.1, Temple Stakes, Haydock - Gr.2 (twice), King George Stakes, Goodwood - Gr.3

One of only a select group of juveniles to have won the Nunthorpe Stakes - the only Group 1 in Britain where two-year-olds can compete against their elders - Kingsgate Native found a berth at Cheveley Park Stud, where he stood at an initial £7,500 fee. But the son of Mujadil was found to be infertile and returned to racing, continuing as a gelding until the age of 11, having finished a close second to Cotai Glory in a Listed sprint at ten.

Reckless Abandon

Highest RPR 117

Group wins Middle Park Stakes, Newmarket - Gr.1, Prix Morny, Deauville - Gr.1, Prix Robert Papin, Maisons-Laffitte - Gr.2, Norfolk Stakes - Gr.2

Unbeaten in five starts as a juvenile including wins in the Middle Park Stakes and Prix Morny, Reckless Abandon joined Darley's European roster at the end of the following season at a €10,000 fee. Found to be subfertile, he returned into training and was twice placed in Listed company at four, before embarking on a second career as a polo pony. His sole crop includes the useful Guessthebill and Shepherd Market.

Starspangledbanner

Highest RPR 125

Group wins July Cup, Newmarket - Gr.1, Golden Jubilee Stakes, Ascot - Gr.1, Oakleigh Plate, Caulfield - Gr.1, Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield - Gr.1, HDF McNeil Stakes, Caulfield - Gr.3

Starspangledbanner made a strong impression at Royal Ascot with his first crop when both Anthem Alexander and The Wow Signal found their way into the winner's enclosure in 2014, which led to the son of Choisir - who had struggled with subfertility in his earlier years at stud - being giving a second chance at Coolmore Stud. His current juvenile crop includes Hong Kong fan favourite Styling City.

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Back at his birthplace, a second chance for Al Kazeem as a stallion

Barney Roy could return to training as fertility issues curtail stallion career