Leading Light on the move to Dunraven Stud from Coolmore

Leading Light, a Classic-winning son of Montjeu and promising young National Hunt sire, has been purchased by Dunraven Stud from Coolmore and will stand in South Wales for the 2022 breeding season.

Leading Light got off the mark on his second start at two for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners, going on to win the Gallinule Stakes and Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot at three.

He then beat Talent by a length and a quarter in the St Leger at Doncaster to extend his winning sequence to five, before finishing mid-division behind Treve in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Leading Light returned at four to win the Vintage Crop Stakes on his reappearance and followed that up with another successful raid on Royal Ascot, digging deep to deny Missunited in the Gold Cup.

The bay also won the Irish St Leger Trial before finishing second to Brown Panther in the Irish St Leger itself. He signed off his hugely successful career by finishing seventh in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day.

Bred by Lynch-Bages and a 520,000gns purchase by Demi O'Byrne from Glenvale Stud at Tattersalls Book 1, Leading Light was retired to Grange Stud for the 2015 season at a fee of €4,500.

His first crop of five-year-olds include recent Punchestown handicap hurdle winner Christmas Jumper, dual hurdles scorer Light Brigade and Limestone Rock. He also has a large number of three- and four-year-olds coming on stream as well.

David Brace OBE, owner of Dunraven Stud, said: “I've always been a huge fan of Montjeu, both on the racecourse and as a sire, and once I was alerted to the possibility that Leading Light might be available for purchase, I knew I had to act quickly.

"This was a rare opportunity to purchase a top-class stallion who is already, from his early crops, producing winners who look likely to become black-type performers.

Leading Light takes in his new surroundings

"I've a great relationship with the team at Coolmore and once again I must thank them for this opportunity. I've been greatly encouraged by the reports from trainers and agents as to his progeny and I really believe that he will produce many top-class racehorses in the coming few years."

He continued: "He was a tough and sound racehorse, had the quality to win twice in Group 1 company including a Classic, was by one of the outstanding stallions of his generation and also has the looks to go with it - what more could you want in a stallion?"

“With his arrival, Ask and Mountain High have been relocated. I'm delighted that Ask has been purchased to stand at Stuart Ross’s Willow Wood Stud in Cheshire in a deal brokered by new online auction house ThoroughBid, whilst Mountain High will remain locally."

Leading Light is the sixth foal out of the Gone West mare Dance Parade, winner of the Queen Mary and Fred Darling Stakes, and a full-brother to Swinton Handicap Hurdle winner John Constable, among seven winners.

He will stand for a fee of £2,500, although discounts will be available for established clients, and to black-type and multiple mares. The Bridgend-based stud plans to hold an inspection before Christmas to allow existing and potential customers to view Leading Light.

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