FIFTY Stars, a Group 1-winning son of Sea The Stars, retires to Sunnyhill Stud in Kilcullen next year, in partnership with Bloodstock.Racing.

A half-brother to Grade 1-winning hurdler Whiskey Sour, Fifty Stars was bred by Airlie Stud. He won seven races, from seven to 10 furlongs, on a variety of surfaces, in his 32-race campaign.

His career highlight came in the Group 1 Australian Cup beating six individual Group 1 winners in one of Australia’s leading weight for age races.

He retires as one of Sea The Stars’ best sons, with a rating of 121 from Timeform, and he is the only Group 1 winner by Sea The Stars to win a group race at a distance below a mile.

Fifty Stars will be available for inspection in December and his fee will be announced shortly.

Jack Cantillon of Bloodstock.Racing said: “Racing leading National Hunt mares like Cabaret Queen and Grangee, we set ourselves the goal this year of finding a star fit for a queen.

“Fifty Stars has simply outstanding credentials as a National Hunt stallion. He’s the first horse in a generation to be a Group 1-winning half-brother to a Grade 1 winner retired as a National Hunt stallion in Ireland. It’s an honour to partner with a farm of the heritage of Sunnyhill Stud to stand him.”

Michael Hickey of Sunnyhill Stud said: “Fifty Stars was a top-class, consistent racehorse and retired sound from his racing career. He is a smashing-looking individual with great presence and a wonderful walk, and of course he is by a champion in Sea The Stars.

“The fact that he had the speed to win from seven furlongs to 10 furlongs should appeal to National Hunt breeders and we look forward to having him available for inspection shortly.”