Sevenna Star could burn bright in Europe for Redoute's Choice

The news that Redoute's Choice would be available to European breeders at Haras de Bonneval for the 2013 season provided a much needed filip to the French industry. Only five years ago, the landscape of French bloodstock was very different, with Normandy lacking a real headline stallion capable of igniting strong domestic respect let alone one that could draw international attention. The arrival of Redoute's Choice, a heavyweight of his native Australia, went some way to help the situation, which has been remedied to greater effect in recent seasons by the likes of Siyouni, Le Havre and Kendargent.

At €70,000, Redoute's Choice was by far the most expensive stallion in France of 2013. By then long established as a champion sire, the son of Danehill arrived from Arrowfield Stud with the additional allure of having already made a mark in Europe through the Listed winners Elzaam, Shaqira and Tazahum, the highlights of an older group of foals that had been conceived to northern hemisphere time in Australia.

The interest of European breeders was unsurprisingly piqued. The Wertheimer brothers, for instance, sent Born Gold, dam of the mighty Goldikova. She was joined in his book by her Group 2-winning daughter Gold Round, also a significant producer who was by then in the possession of LNJ Foxwoods. Paul Makin sent Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Gilt Edge Girl, who would sell later that year out of the Makin dispersal for €550,000 to the Niarchos family, while Newsells Park Stud sent Fame And Glory's half-sister Yummy Mummy, whose yearling at the time was 1,000 Guineas heroine Legatissimo.