THE Green Desert (by Danzig) sire line has long been one of the most successful in Europe – a source of top juveniles, sprinters, milers and classic horses.
We are now at the point where there are potentially strong branches of it developing and early indications are that Oasis Dream, Cape Cross and Invincible Spirit will lead that next split.
The latter’s sons include classic sire Lawman, Group 1 producer and hugely popular Australian sales stallion I Am Invincible, and a growing number of others who have sired stakes and pattern winners from their early runners. That group includes the speedy juvenile Zebedee and his first crop features Ivawood, a leading two-year-old who became a classic performer at three before joining the Coolmore stallion team.
Ivawood’s first crop, which includes a colt who made 105,000gns in Newmarket in November, is likely to prove very popular at the 2018 yearling sales and he should do well as a freshman sire of 2019.
His only defeat in four starts as a two-year-old was a nose loss to Charming Thought in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, which followed a pair of easy wins in the Group 2 July Stakes and Group 2 Richmond Stakes.
Third to Muhaarar in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes first time out at three, he then filled the same position behind Gleneagles in both the Group 1 2000 Guineas and Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas, proving himself to be more than just a precocious sort.
His ability to perform so well at classic level also increases his potential to take high rank as a stallion as, with the right mares, he is a horse whose offspring could excel anywhere in the broad five to 10-furlong range. Indeed, it is not impossible that a handful of his progeny will even stay 12 furlongs.
Why? Because his dam won over that trip, his grandam Kinnaird (by Dr Devious) won the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera, and her half-brother Mickdaam (by Dubawi) took the Group 3 Chester Vase. Kinnaird’s son Berkshire (by Mount Nelson) won the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes, and the blacktype horses in the fourth generation of the family include Group 1 Fillies’ Mile heroine and 2018 classic prospect Laurens (by Siyouni) as well as classic-placed miler Shifting Power (by Compton Place).
Many will expect Ivawood to supply precocious and speedy juveniles – and he will get some – but, with his distaff line, don’t be surprised to see some of his stock lining up for the classics too.
IVAWOOD (IRE), Bay 2012. Jt 3rd top rated 2yr old colt in Europe in 2014. Won three races, £222,432, from 5 furlongs to 6 furlongs, at 2 years including, Portland Place Properties July Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.2, Qatar Bloodstock Richmond Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.2, also placed 2nd vision.ae Middle Park Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, and 3rd QIPCO 2000 Guineas, Newmarket, Gr.1, Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1 and AON Greenham Stakes, Newbury, Gr.3.
Retired to stud in 2016, first crop now yearlings.
Stands at: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Co Tipperary, Ireland.
Contact: Christy Grassick, David O’Loughlin, Eddie Fitzpatrick, Tim Corballis, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Mathieu Legars or Jason Walsh
Telephone: +353 (0)52 6131298
Email: sales@coolmore.ie
Web: www.coolmore.com
Fee: €6,000