THERE are several factors that we look at when assessing the potential of a stallion and Proconsul is a horse who passes two of those tests with first-class honours. The chesnut is a son of the dual Derby hero and phenomenal stallion Galileo (Sadler’s Wells), a record-breaking stallion who already has a double-digit tally of sons who have sired at least one Group/Grade 1 winner of their own.

That roll of honour includes the proven classic sires Frankel, Nathaniel, New Approach and Teofilo. Rip Van Winkle, who had a successful Group 1 two-year-old here, is currently represented ‘down under’ by Te Akau Shark, a Group 1 star over seven furlongs and a miler, whereas Intello (sire of Intellogent) and Ruler Of The World (sire of four-time Group 1 star Iridessa) are among those who have hit the target in Europe.