Sprint sensation Blue Point to stand at Kildangan Stud next year

Blue Point, who was retired last month after taking Royal Ascot by storm with two Group 1 sprint victories, is to commence his stallion career at Darley's Kildangan Stud in County Kildare next year.

It had initially been stated that the son of Shamardal would stand at the operation's Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, but it was confirmed at Darley's annual stallion parade on Thursday that he would in fact take up covering duty alongside his sire in Ireland rather than in Britain.

Blue Point, who showed off his looks to breeders at the event, rates as one of the most exciting new recruits to the stallion ranks in years, having shown top-class form over four consecutive seasons.

Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, he won the Gimcrack Stakes and was second in the Richmond Stakes and Middle Park Stakes at two, when he was also a very respectable third to Churchill in the Dewhurst.

At three he landed the Pavilion Stakes and Bengough Stakes and was third to Caravaggio and Harry Angel in a thrilling Commonwealth Cup, and at four he beat Battaash to take the King's Stand Stakes and ran third in the Nunthorpe.

He was unbeaten this season at five, scoring in three contests at Meydan and completing the rarely achieved King's Stand and Diamond Jubilee Stakes double at the royal meeting.

Blue Point also boasts a fine pedigree, as one of 22 Group/Grade 1 winners by Shamardal, who is proving to be a strong influence with son Lope De Vega one of Europe's most in demand sires and other sons Casamento and Mukhadram also showing they are capable of throwing talented runners.

Bred by Oak Lodge Bloodstock, he is a half-brother to Railway Stakes winner Formosina out of Scarlett Rose, a Royal Applause half-sister to the durable multiple Group 3 winner Tumbleweed Ridge.

Blue Point is poised to join another son of Shamardal on the Kildangan Stud roster – French Navy, who stood at €4,000 this year – as well as a champion son of Lope De Vega in Belardo, who was advertised at €10,000.

It is fair to say that with his exceptional credentials, Blue Point will be assigned a considerably higher stud fee than those.

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