JESSICA Harrington’s Irish Champions Stakes victor Hotazhell will retire to Haras d’Etreham after running his last race in the British Champions Stakes.

Purchased by Etreham with Widden Stud, the three-time Group 1 winner will become the first European stallion by Too Darn Hot, himself responsible for eight Group/Grade 1 winners across both hemispheres.

The 200,000gns breeze-up buy will stand alongside Beauvatier, City Light, Hello Youmzain, Metropolitan, Onesto Persian King and Victor Ludorum at his Normandy base.

The farm’s Nicolas de Chambure commented: “We are absolutely delighted at the prospect of welcoming a horse of Hotazhell’s calibre to Etreham for the 2027 season. His pedigree and racing record are of the very highest standard, and his conformation is impeccable. He has great presence and quality; and plenty of size and scope.”

Antony Thompson of Widden Stud, whose stallions include Zoustar, said: “He is a horse we have followed closely and genuinely believe is ideally suited to the Australian market.

“He has an outstanding racing profile, having been a Group 1 winner at two in Great Britain before going on to win the Irish Champion Stakes last weekend, one of Europe’s great WFA races and easily comparable in significance to Australia’s Cox Plate.

“When you combine that level of performance with his pedigree and physical attributes, we feel he has all the qualities to become a significant stallion in Australia.

“It’s also a great pleasure to be partners with a farm of Haras d’Etreham’s standing. Like Widden, they are a generational family operation with an incredible history in French breeding and share similar values to our own. Thanks to Matt Houldsworth who assisted in putting this together.”