'It's been wonderful' - David Ward on the hunt for Starman mares at Goffs

Back in 2011 owner David Ward stood beside the Goffs parade ring and laid eyes on a daughter of Montjeu he simply had to take home. With the help of Ed Sackville the yearling filly was secured on a bid of €50,000, named Northern Star and sent into training with Tom Dascombe, for whom she won a Bath classified stakes.

What came next proved to be far more significant, however, as Ward went on to breed his July Cup winner and recently crowned Cartier champion sprinter Starman by sending Northern Star to visit Cheveley Park Stud resident Dutch Art.

The story came full circle on Friday as Ward again stood beside the Goffs parade ring on a mission to find some suitable candidates for Starman's first book of mares, having retired the apple of his eye to Tally-Ho Stud for the 2022 breeding season.

Signing as Northern Star Bloodstock, Ward spent €460,000 on two well-credentialed mares midway through day one of the November Breeding Stock Sale. Shadwell's Sweet Solera Stakes scorer Muraaqaba, in foal to Dark Angel, fetched €160,000, while the Aga Khan's Ediyva, a winning daughter of Kingman from the family of Ebadiyla and Estimate, cost €300,000 in foal to Siyouni.

"Both were bought to go to Starman as we're hoping to get some nice, quality, well-bred mares to him," said Ward. "They're both in foal, so they've obviously got to deliver those first and then subject to when they arrive, they'll hopefully head to him.

"They've both got wonderful pedigrees and they're in foal, so getting the Dark Angel and the Siyouni coverings was quite appealing, and they look the ideal size to suit Starman. I'm going to visit him at Tally-Ho tomorrow, so I'll be able to tell him he's got two new girlfriends!"

Ward plans to send ten of his own mares to Starman, while he reported the Group 1-winning sprinter, who has been installed at Tally-Ho at a fee of €17,500, had received a warm reception from breeders ahead of his debut season.

"We're really pleased with these purchases and it's exciting times," said Ward. "I'll be sending ten of my own mares to him and I know there's been lots of breeders inquiring about the horse, and Ed Sackville has been busy signing people up while he's been at the sales! It's a different process for us, trying to support our own stallion rather, but so far it's been wonderful."

Read more

'We've been so blessed to have been part of his life' - Pivotal dies aged 28

Another top lot for Mehmas as €70,000 colt stars at November Foal Sale closer

Frankel half-sister to Sea The Moon sells for €550,000 at Goffs November Sale

Yulong returns for Lucky Vega's three-parts sister for €195,000

'Hopefully he'll be another Russian Camelot' - Hyde on his €170,000 sale-topper