'She's been remarkable' - Cabaret Queen set for French date with Cokoriko

Cabaret Queen looks set to begin her paddocks career in fine style, with the Munster and Kerry National winner set for a first date with the up-and-coming French sire Cokoriko.

A £13,000 buy when selling to Adam Potts and Jack Cantillon from Highclere Thoroughbreds at the Goffs UK Spring HIT Sale in 2019, the daughter of King's Theatre has provided Syndicates.Racing with a number of highlights under the care of Willie Mullins, and hopes are high for the nine-year-old to shine just as bright in her second career.

Cantillon said: "She's on her way to France as we speak. She's a dual Grade A-winning mare and was the first mare home behind Minella Times in the Grand National, so we're very proud of her.

"We wanted to give her the best start possible so my dad Dermot and I felt that, given she's by King's Theatre, Cokoriko would suit well."

Having also finished third in a Grade 3 mares' chase at Fairyhouse and run second to the high-class Shattered Love in a Listed contest at Clonmel, Cabaret Queen has repaid her purchase price and the syndicate's faith in full.

"She's been a remarkable success story for us, she cost £13,000 and her syndicate members paid €210 to lease her for initially seven months, and they've earned that all back with some profit too and some big races along the way," said Cantillon. "We're excited to see her hopefully blossom in her next career.

Cokoriko: Haras de Cercy's rising star has made an excellent start to his stud careerCredit: Zuzanna Lupa

"In terms of foals out of her, we'd love to race a filly - we've always said we'd love a nice National Hunt mare."

On the reasoning behind sending Cabaret Queen, who is out of a French-bred mare in La Dame Brune, a dual winning daughter of Mansonnien, to Haras de Cercy's fast-rising son of Robin Des Champs, Cantillon was also quick to point out just how far Cokoriko has come in a short space of time.

He said: "We thought about Blue Bresil and Crystal Ocean but I felt Cokoriko also offered something exciting. He's only 12, which is remarkable for a National Hunt stallion having his oldest crop aged seven; he could be remarkable for French National Hunt breeding.

"He's under the radar but one who I think is going to rise high in the coming years. He's had a Thyestes winner in Coko Beach and, being by Robin Des Champs, is a complete outcross.

"Also, we're friendly with Haras de Cercy's Jacques Cypres - he bred Grangee, who the syndicate likewise race. She won the Grade 2 mares' bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival and runs in the Grade 3 bumper at Punchestown on Wednesday."

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