THE 2025 racing season in Europe was dominated, among those stallions with their first runners, by the David Ward-bred and raced Starman (Dutch Art). He had the most runners and winners of any sire in the northern hemisphere, and with four group winners, including a Group 1 winner, he was also the most successful in both of those measures.

Retired to stud at a fee of €17,500, Starman was available to breeders at an advertised €10,000 for the last two seasons, but it comes as no surprise that his fee has quadrupled for the upcoming season at the O’Callaghan family’s Tally-Ho Stud, and that could still look to be good value if the fine start to his career in the covering shed continues apace. He is fully booked.