Foley's ambition fulfilled as The Lir Jet gives Ballyhane sires an Ascot double

Ballyhane Stud's first-season stallion Prince Of Lir recorded the first major success of his nascent breeding career on Friday when The Lir Jet followed in his sire's footsteps by landing the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The colt, who was purchased by Qatar Racing after a comfortable debut success at Yarmouth, provided the second leg of a notable double for Ballyhane stallions, after Dandy Man's daughter Dandalla ran away with the Albany Stakes.

Reflecting on a momentous day for the stud's stallions, Ballyhane owner Joe Foley said: "It's long been an ambition to have a stallion who has a two-year-old winner at Royal Ascot – they're very difficult to get. General Monash nearly did it 20 years ago with his first crop when Bram Stoker got chinned near the line in the Coventry.

The Lir Jet wins the Group 2 Norfolk StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We've been waiting a long time, so to get two within the space of half an hour is extra special. It's a great day for the farm, particularly for all the staff. I'm thrilled."

While the Norfolk Stakes provided a breakthrough moment for Prince Of Lir, the Albany Stakes result was yet another big result for Dandy Man, who has developed into a hugely popular member of the stallions ranks, despite having once stood for as little as €3,500.

"I've always had a lot of belief in Dandy Man and it's wonderful to see him arrive on the big stage," said Foley. "And obviously it's great for Robert Norton [breeder of Dandalla], I've known him a long time and I'm thrilled he's bred a Royal Ascot winner, likewise Donal Boylan [who bred The Lir Jet].

"It's magic to be associated with those two people who've helped create a magic day."

The Lir Jet is one of 77 two-year-olds in Prince Of Lir's debut crop, which was conceived at a fee of just €5,000. The colt was in fact pinhooked by Foley at just €9,500 as a foal before being reoffered at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale.

It was there he was sold on to breeze-up consignor Robson Aguiar, who paid £8,000 for the progressive youngster.

However, with so much uncertainty surrounding this year's two-year-old sales, The Lir Jet, who had been entered in the Tattersalls Ascot Breeze-Up Sale, was offloaded privately to Nick Bell prior to his Yarmouth debut.

The Group 2 winner is the latest advertisement for Aguiar's eye for an athlete, as the Brazilian-born pinhooker also counts the likes of Summer Sands, picked up for a mere £2,000, among his past graduates.

Prince Of Lir wins the 2016 Norfolk StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

The Lir Jet certainly has the pedigree to have shone at the two-year-old sales, as his sire jointly topped the 2016 Goffs UK breeze-up when bought by Matt Coleman and the Cool Silk Partnership for £170,000, while his dam, the winning Green Desert mare Paper Dreams, graduated from the Tattersalls Craven Sale when bought by Stephen Hillen for 15,000gns.

The delayed start to the Flat season has meant Foley has had to be patient to see what Prince Of Lir's progeny are capable of, but on Friday's evidence he should have plenty more to look forward to.

He said: "Since January people have been telling me they've got very good Prince Of Lirs, the buzz has been getting stronger as the months went by. Before Covid-19 I was hoping he'd have a very strong start to the season and we'd get an upsurge of mares to him. Obviously with Covid-19 that didn't happen, but we're not going to complain now."

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