My Dream Boat joins ranks of Irish National Hunt stallions

Royal Ascot Group 1 hero My Dream Boat will stand at Bridge House Stud in County Westmeath for owners Paul and Clare Rooney from next year, with his stallion career to be managed by Micheal Orlandi of Compas Equine.

The crowning achievement of the five-year-old's career was victory over Found and Western Hymn in the Prince of Wales's Stakes last year, while other highlights were two Group 3 triumphs – in the Gordon Richards Stakes and Prix Perth – and close fourth-place finishes in the Champion Stakes and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

He retires with six victories and five further placings from 23 starts over four seasons to race.

“My Dream Boat winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot was the climax of our experiences in racing,” said Paul and Clare Rooney in a statement.

“He is not retiring, but moving on to stand at stud and to become the father of many top-class winners in the years ahead. We are thrilled with our experience in racing and look forward to our stars of the future, whether it be on the Flat or over the jumps.”

My Dream Boat, a son of Lord Shanakill, was bred by Patrick Monahan out of the winning Choisir mare Betty Burke and hails from the family of Group 1 winners Alice Springs, Golden Opinion and Samitar.

Clive Cox, who saddled My Dream Boat to all his wins, said: “He was a joy to train and gave us a memory to savour when beating Found to win at Royal Ascot.

“He was sound and consistent throughout, and improved his form remarkably through the ranks of handicapping to Group 1 success. He always had a great outlook and a wonderful temperament that matched his good looks.”

Orlandi explained My Dream Boat was “retired sound in wind, heart and limb” and would be marketed as a jumps stallion.

“It's an honour to be involved in standing My Dream Boat for Paul and Clare Rooney,” he said. “He was a fantastic racehorse, winning multiple Group races throughout his career.

“He's an imposing individual and is commercially priced at €4,000. He will stand at Trevor Badger’s Bridge House Stud, ideally located outside Mullingar, convenient for breeders throughout Ireland.”

My Dream Boat will be available to view on Friday, November 17, at Tattersalls Ireland during the National Hunt sales.

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