FROM the time his first foals and yearlings appeared in the sales ring, it was evident that Zoffany was expected to make an impact at stud. And why not? A 220,000gns yearling, the good-looking son of Dansili (by Danehill) represents one of the world’s major sire lines, he was a Group 1 star at two, twice Group 1-placed at three, and from a prolific blacktype family that has produced talented performers over almost the full range of flat distances.

It is also a family that could get another big boost in 2018 as his classic-entered half-brother Rostropovich (by Frankel) won last season’s Group 2 Futurity Stakes and finished third in the Group 1 National Stakes on his final two starts.

Zoffany was never asked to go beyond a mile, he got his Group 1 win over six furlongs, but it was always on the cards that some of his offspring would stay much farther than he tried. Also inevitable was that some of his progeny would receive the pace aspect of his pedigree rather than its middle-distance one, and hence we have notable speedsters such as Illuminate (dam by Green Desert), Waterloo Bridge (Dr Fong) and Washington DC (Shinko Forest) among his double-digit tally of stakes winners.

He also has that all important first Group 1 star in the bag too as his first-crop son Ventura Storm took the Gran Premio del Jockey Club in Milan.

The string of stakes and pattern winners that emerged quickly from his first crop led to an inevitable strengthening of support from breeders and it won’t be long before offspring of those mares add to his blacktype tally.

Zoffany has proven his ability to sire winners at all levels and over a wide range of distances, something that should boost his prospects of taking high rank in the overall sires’ championship title race. He has got a Group 2 German classic winner in Knife Edge, and although no Group 1 classic star yet, each of Architecture (three times), Ventura Storm and Zodiac Ruler have been placed in those contests.

Last year his foals made up to €82,000 and yearlings up to €240,000, and although he may not have had as many headlines as in the previous two seasons, don’t forget – Zoffany’s eldest progeny have only just turned five.

He has already achieved more than many stallions will do in their lifetime, and there is every reason to hope that his best results are still to come.

ZOFFANY (IRE), Bay 2008. Jt top rated 3yr old miler in Ireland in 2011. Won five races, £337,075, from 6 furlongs to 7 furlongs, at 2 years including, Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Korean Racing Authority Tyros Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.3, Golden Fleece Stakes, Leopardstown, L, also placed 2nd Prix Jean Prat, Chantilly, Gr.1, St James’s Palace Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Ballycorus Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.3, and 3rd Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1.

Retired to stud in 2012, and sire of the winners of 373 races, and over £6,000,000, including VENTURA STORM (IRE), KNIFE EDGE (IRE), ZODIAC RULER (AUS), FOUNDATION (IRE), ILLUMINATE (IRE), WATERLOO BRIDGE (IRE), WASHINGTON DC (IRE), DOLCE STREGA (IRE), AFANDEM (FR), WILAMINA (IRE), LIGHT UP OUR WORLD (IRE), OPINION MAKER (IRE), ARGENTERO (GB), Architecture (IRE), Asking (IRE), Coeur D’amour (IRE), Remarkable Lady (IRE), The Getaway (AUS), Von Blucher (IRE), Lone Eagle (AUS), Guiliana (FR), Now You’re Talking (IRE), Shenoya (FR), Weather Channel (AUS), Bohemian Flame (IRE), Carzoff (FR) and Saimaa (IRE)

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: €25,000