IT’S the time of the season when new stallion fees are rolling out each week.The most interesting of the new sires’ fees came two weeks ago. Two champions, one on each side of the ocean, retired. Daryz - dual Arc winner - and Sovereignty, the likely dual Horse of the Year in the US. Neither were really noted as two-year-olds but, at three and four, proved themselves exceptional.

It came as a bit of surprise to see Daryz, son of a great racehorse and sire Sea The Stars, begin his stud career at €50,000. Sea The Stars stands at €300,000. While in America, Sovereignty begins his stud career at much higher $150,000, as a son of top sire Into Mischief who stands at $250,000.