Highclere Stud and Duke of Roxburghe partnership pays off with Palace Pier

Palace Pier's victory over Pinatubo and Wichita in a thrilling renewal of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday was the culmination of Highclere Stud and the late Duke of Roxburghe's nurture of a wonderful family over three generations.

The John Gosden-trained colt, who was bought by the handler for 600,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and carries the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, is the second Group 1 winner for Banstead Manor Stud hotshot Kingman.

He is out of the unraced Nayef mare Beach Frolic, a half-sister to a former Royal Ascot winner in Joviality as well as Dante Stakes scorer Bonfire.

Beach Frolic is in turn out of Night Frolic, a Night Shift mare who was in-utero when her dam, the Listed-winning Bikala mare Miss D'Ouilly, was bought by Highclere Stud's John Warren as a 13-year-old for 50,000gns at the Tattersalls December Breeding-Stock Sale in 2000.

“I bought Beach Frolic’s granddam Miss D’Ouilly 20 years ago and the Duke of Roxburghe owned a third of her,” Warren explained. “When I bought her, he asked me if he could take a piece, so he was involved all the way through, even though she lives with us.

“It’s a great shame that the Duke of Roxburghe isn't alive to be able to enjoy it. That’s the only sadness of the day.”

Warren went on to pay tribute to his team at Highclere Stud.

John Warren: 'Highclere Stud is a big family affair'Credit: Laura Green

“It’s so lovely to think that we’re producing horses of that calibre when we're commercial breeders,” he said. “It’s a great thrill for the whole team at Highclere because we’ve got a tremendous, committed team and it’s a big family affair.

“Carolyn is very much involved with the horses’ welfare and development, and Jake and I on the matings and the mare and stallion strategy. It’s what we all strive to do and it’s great when all the effort that you put into it pays off.”

Beach Frolic has a two-year-old by Camelot bought by Sackville Donald for 300,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last year. He is in training with Sir Michael Stoute.

The mare also has a yearling colt by Highland Reel heading to Book 1 this autumn and a chestnut colt by Almanzor born in April. She is in foal to Blue Point.

This article and series is in association with Great British Racing International

Read more...

Star sires and brilliant breeders: five things we learned at Royal Ascot

Kodiac lights up final day of Royal Ascot with famous Group race treble

Unbeaten Listed winner Ten Year Ticket sold to race in Hong Kong