Reliable Man on the move to Haras du Thenney in France

After spending the first four years of his European stallion career at Gestut Rottgen in Germany, dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner Reliable Man has a new home for 2018: Haras du Thenney in France.

The nine-year-old son of Dalakhani was trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre for owner-breeder Sven Hanson to win the Prix du Jockey Club and Prix Niel at three, and finish a close fourth to Danedream in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at four.

In the following season he was transferred to the care of Chris Waller in Australia, where he earned a second top-level score in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes by beating the brilliant It's A Dundeel.

Reliable Man was originally retired to Westbury Stud in New Zealand and his first southern-hemisphere two-year-olds included Belle Du Nord, runner-up in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni in April.

He posted a first winner from his debut European crop when daughter Narella scored over seven furlongs at Cologne last month.

Niccolo Riva of Haras du Thenney said: “Being arguably the best son of Dalakhani, who unfortunately had to retire far too early, we believe Reliable Man has all the potential to carry on his family's tradition of producing Classic winners.

“He's a beautiful looking horse who has been extremely well received in New Zealand; he was booked out before the start of their breeding season, having supplied a Group 1-placed two-year-old in the first crop.

“He has some very promising young horses in Europe as well, and we believe he'll have even more to say next year with his first Classic crop.”

Reliable Man is a half-brother to Group 1-placed Imposing and Listed winner Gale Force, out of On Fair Stage, a Listed-winning daughter of Sadler's Wells and triple Oaks heroine Fair Salinia.

His sire Dalakhani was retired early from covering duty for the Aga Khan Studs due to ill health last year. He fielded his ninth Group 1 winner when Shakeel took the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last month.