RATHBARRY Stud has pulled off a major international bloodstock coup by securing global superstar State Of Rest for stallion duties.

The multiple Group 1/Grade 1 winner will continue to be trained by Joseph O’Brien until the end of his racing career, and is expected to retire to the Fermoy, Co Cork, farm next spring.

Rathbarry’s Paul Cashman said: “We are delighted to have purchased such an elite and unique international racehorse to join our stallion roster when he completes his racing career.”

A debut winner as a two-year-old over six furlongs and placed in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes, State Of Rest (by Starspangledbanner) first made headlines last August when winning the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby.

His trainer, who has already won two Melbourne Cups in his short career to-date, then sent State Of Rest to Australia for the 10-furlong Group 1 Cox Plate in October. He won that race by a short-head from local star Anamoe, who has since won a Group 1 by over six lengths.

State Of Rest reappeared at ParisLongchamp last Sunday where he won the Group 1 Prix Ganay over 10 and a half furlongs a shade cosily. The Tattersalls Gold Cup, Royal Ascot and a return to Australia are just some of the options now being considered by connections for the exciting four-year-old who is the top-rated horse in Ireland.

Newgate Farm in Australia are partners in the horse and he will stand the southern hemisphere season there, but not until next year at the earliest.