JUST a couple of days before the three-year-old Irish-bred Technician gave Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer) his 14th Group 1 winner when capturing the Prix Royal Oak, a Group 1 result in Australia heralded the early arrival of the Coolmore stallion as a potential broodmare sire of note.

Often overlooked for the fact that he was the European champion two-year-old of his generation, thanks to his successes in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and National Stakes, Mastercraftsman went on to land two important mile races at three, the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas and the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stepped up in trip he was placed in both the Juddmonte International at York and the Irish Champion Stakes.