WITH the outstanding Annie Power among a number of early stars for Shirocco under National Hunt rules, it is all too easy to overlook his prowess as a flat sire. He served a timely reminder of his ability in that code when his son, Windstoss, won the Group 1 German Derby last weekend, building on an earlier victory in a trial.

In winning Germany’s premier classic, Windstoss joins the Irish St Leger winner Brown Panther, Brazilian Group 1 winners Calendula, January Jones, Pateo Do Batel and Some In Tieme, Group 1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Wild Coco and Group 2 winners Barcelona, Grand Vent and Arrigo as one of the best runners on the level for Shirocco.

Now based at the Cashman’s Glenview Stud, a sister farm to Rathbarry, Shirocco himself won the German Derby before victories in such as the Breeders’’ Cup Turf, Coronation Cup and the Grand Premio del Jockey Club. He won or was placed in all but one of his 13 starts and is one of the best sons of the German Derby runner-up Monsun, who also sired the Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate, Melbourne Cup winners Fiorente and Protectionist, and has other high class sons such as Manduro, Maxios, Novellist, and more.

Windstoss is the first foal and winner for his Sternkonig (by Kalaglow) dam Wellenspiel and she won a couple of times in Germany. She is one of a dozen successful offspring for her Konigssthul dam Well Known who was a listed winner and runner-up in both the German Oaks and 1,000 Guineas. The best of those 12 winners was Group 1 Preis von Europe hero Well Made (by Mondrian).

Well Known failed to do something her own dam did, and that was to win a classic. Well Proved landed the German 1000 Guineas and followed this up with a successful stud career, breeding nine winners, two of them stakes winners. She was one of 10 winners from her Tamerlane dam Well Tamed.

It is a notable feature of this dam line that each of the mares have been prolific winner producers. Hopefully Wellenspiel will do likewise, and it is hugely encouraging that she is off to such a good start with a classic winner for her first produce.

Windstoss is followed by a two-year-old half-brother Welstar (by Soldier Hollow) and a yearling half-brother by Reliable Man, named Walerian.

Breeders, stallion masters and readers are invited to contact Leo Powell at leopowell@theirishfield.ie with news and updates for the column, and to visit our website www.theirishfield.ie for daily breeding news