'Darley is pleased to continue our relationship with Sunnyhill Stud' - Derby hero Masar on the move to Ireland

Derby hero Masar will relocate from Darley's Dalham Hall Stud to Sunnyhill Stud in County Kildare for 2025. 

Godolphin's homebred son of New Approach was a high-class juvenile for Charlie Appleby, defeating Invincible Army on debut at Goodwood that May before placing third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. He also defeated subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas and Prix Jacques le Marois winner Romanised in the Solario Stakes and was third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere that autumn.

Having won the Craven Stakes by nine lengths and placed third in the 2,000 Guineas, his finest hour came at Epsom when defeating the likes of Roaring Lion, Saxon Warrior and Kew Gardens. Injury saw him off the track for the rest of that year and he made two starts the following season before retirement to Dalham Hall for a fee of £15,000. 

He has spent the last five seasons in Darley's Newmarket base and is joining Michael Hickey's operation, which stands National Hunt stallions headed by Fifty Stars, the Australian Group 1 winner.

Masar: sported the Godolphin silks to Derby glory in 2018Credit: Edward Whitaker

Masar's progeny to date include UAE 1,000 Guineas third Yamamah, promising Godolphin runner Will Scarlet and Mount Atlas, recently second in the Old Rowley Cup after an Ascot victory in the summer. His early jumps performers include Stencil, unbeaten in two starts for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm and recently purchased by JP McManus. 

A statement from Darley said: "Masar made history in 2018, becoming the first horse to ever carry the Godolphin blue silks to victory in the Derby and has enjoyed success as a sire since, with a number of promising horses from his first two crops.

"Darley is pleased to continue our relationship with Sunnyhill Stud who have previously stood Godolphin star Doyen, who has since returned to Kildangan Stud in his retirement. 

"We would like to thank all of the breeders who have supported Masar at Dalham Hall Stud and wish Sunnyhill Stud every success with him in the future."

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