'Quality' first foal arrives for top-class performer Crystal Ocean

Prince of Wales's Stakes hero and Beeches Stud resident Crystal Ocean has his first foal on the ground after Indian Frontier gave birth to a colt.

Beeches Stud manager Robert McCarthy said: “Indian Frontier had a lovely, dark bay colt with good bone. He looks, and is marked, very like his dad, so the mare will be going back to Crystal Ocean. It’s a great start to the new year to see him with such a good first foal.”

Indian Frontier comes from a family of top-class chasers, among them Grand National Trial Handicap Chase victor and Peter Marsh runner-up Robinsfirth.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Crystal Ocean proved a top-class and tenacious performer on the track, winning eight of his 17 starts and placing on the other nine occasions.

Crystal Ocean lands the Prince of Wales's Stakes in 2019Credit: Edward Whitaker

His career highlight came when defeating Magical and Waldgeist to land the Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot in 2019, while he also won the Hardwicke Stakes, two Aston Parks and the Gordon Stakes.

The son of Sea The Stars also placed second behind Capri in the St Leger and was runner-up in two King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, behind Poet's Word and Enable.

Crystal Ocean covered a big debut book of 280 mares, including the Grade 2-placed Moskovite, who was bought by McCarthy for €160,000 at Fairyhouse and will return to him again this season.

Among that first book were 54 black-type performers, 29 black-type winners and 85 dams of winners.

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