Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics to stand at Poonawalla Stud Farms in India

Last year's Irish Champion Stakes hero Economics has been sold and will stand at Poonawalla Stud Farms in India. The deal was brokered by Ajay Anne of New Approach Bloodstock. 

Economics' career highlight came when landing the Leopardstown Group 1, defeating dual Derby hero and Breeders' Cup Turf victor Auguste Rodin, as well as Irish Derby winner Los Angeles and the top-class Luxembourg. 

As a result of that win, Economics moved into the top five of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2024 and was nominated for the Cartier Horse of the Year and Three-Year-Old Colt awards. The son of Night Of Thunder also ran out a six-length winner of the Dante Stakes and struck in the valuable Prix Guillaume d'Ornano after his York victory.

Poonawalla's managing director Simone Poonawalla said: "Economics was a really talented three-year-old and when we saw his wins in the Dante and then the Irish Champion Stakes we found them genuinely compelling. 

"We've been on the lookout for a stallion but it's not easy to get horses of his racing calibre these days. So we were very quick to jump out of the starting gates this time."

Economics joins a roster which also includes Group 1 winner Territories. The leading Indian operation has also been busy in recent years at the breeding stock sales in Europe, purchasing a number of stakes-winning fillies and black-type-producing mares including Riposte, So Many Shots and Nemoralia.

Economics will stand alongside TerritoriesCredit: Edward Whitaker

She added: "While Mr Zavaray Poonawalla has always done things to raise the bar in whatever endeavours he has pursued, his passion is to have the Indian-bred racehorse recognised and respected internationally. Just like Japan taking its breeding standards to another level he would love to do the same, albeit in a smaller way.

"What was achieved by Mystical, Astonish, Adler and the other few Indian-bred horses, amid numerous logistical challenges and in an individual capacity, he wants to do with a larger contingent and in a much shorter period of time. Naturally we need to raise the quality of bloodstock and horses like Economics and Territories and the broodmares we've purchased will help us get closer to that."

Economics, who has run just twice since his Leopardstown success, both in the Champion Stakes at Ascot where he reportedly bled both times, will be well-supported by his new owners in his second career.  

Poonawalla said: "We have Territories who produces your sharp and more precocious horses, but we need a stallion to complement him for the farm's success and for our international endeavours. He looks the type of stallion who can produce quality  horses to win over the longer distances."

Anne added: "Wekeela, Pleascach, Peace In Motion, Act Of War, Dabyah and Powerful Breeze will all be waiting for Economics in India. We're very lucky to get one of the best sons of Night Of Thunder, who has been carrying all before him this year. There's a lot more to come from the sire and he will only be getting better quality mares in the future."

Economics was bred by Copgrove Hall Stud out of the Group 2-winning Peintre Celebre mare La Pomme D'Amour. He had sold to Hazelwood Bloodstock for 42,000gns as a foal from Baroda Stud at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale before making 160,000gns to Highclere at Tattersalls Book 2 the following autumn. 

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