IN recent years a considerable number of colts have been retired to stud after their two-year-old seasons, some because of injury but also some who were still sound enough to continue racing at three years and later. There are already several instances where these stallions have had considerable success, notably Holy Roman Emperor, Teofilo, Fast Company, Dark Angel, Pedro The Great and Sir Prancealot.
The Last Lion has followed exactly the same path by starting his stud career at Kildangan Stud as a three-year-old in 2017. His first foals were in strong demand in 2018, making up to €71,000 at Goffs and 60,000gns at Newmarket.
This good looking son of Choisir had already demonstrated that he was not only extremely speedy, but also very tough and durable as he raced 10 times and was never out of the first three. Like Dark Angel, his principal victory was in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, after which his trainer Mark Johnston said: “What a fantastic horse! It has been a fairytale story right from the beginning.” European Bloodstock News described him as “one of the toughest horses in training.”
A comfortable winner of the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on the first day of the 2016 season, The Last Lion was narrowly beaten in his next three starts, including second in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, but then scored by two lengths in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown Park.
At Glorious Goodwood The Last Lion was second in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes, before a third to Blue Point in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York.
The Last Lion’s subsequent wins were both over six furlongs. He was four lengths clear in the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton Park, then only six days later dead-heated for second place, close behind Royal Ascot winner Ardad, in the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster, with Prince Of Lir unplaced. Then in the Group 1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket he made all the running and took his revenge on Blue Point by three quarters of a length, with Mehmas another two lengths away third. In the European Classifications The Last Lion was assessed as one of the seven best two-year-old colts of 2016, level with Caravaggio.
Choisir, the sire of The Last Lion, was the champion two-year-old in Australia before coming to Britain and adding the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. One of the best sons of Danehill Dancer, he has sired 91 blacktype winners in both hemispheres, including champion sprinter Starspangledbanner and top miler Olympic Glory.
The Last Lion’s dam Mala Mala was a high-class filly who was twice placed in Group 1 events at two years and she is also dam of multiple listed winners Contest and Russian Rock. Tarascon, a half-sister to Mala Mala, was a champion two-year-old filly who scored in the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
THE LAST LION (IRE). Jt fourth top rated two-year-old colt in England in 2016. Won four races, £225,663, from five furlongs to six furlongs, at two years including, Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Totequadpot Sirenia Stakes, Kempton Park, Gr.3, RacingUK/Daypass Dragon Stakes, Sandown Park, L, also placed second in Norfolk Stakes, Ascot, Gr.2, Pepsi Max Flying Childers Stakes, Doncaster, Gr.2, Victoria Racing Club Molecomb Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.3, and third in Irish TB Marketing Gimcrack Stakes, York, Gr.2.
Retired to Stud in 2017; first crop now yearlings.
Stands at: Kildangan Stud, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Contact: Eamon Moloney, Anthony O’Donnell or Caoimhe Doherty
Telephone: +353 (0) 45 527600
Email: enquiries@darleyireland.com.
Web: www.darleystallions.com
Fee: €7,500 SLF