'He ticks all the boxes' - Storm The Stars relocating to Coolagown Stud for 2023

Coolagown Stud announced a major new signing as transfer deadline day drew to a close when Liverpool-supporting owner David Stack acquired a star from France.

In a deal brokered by Richard Venn, 'Le stallion man', the Classic-placed Storm The Stars will join the team at Stack's Cork farm ahead of the 2023 breeding season.

The son of leading sire Sea The Stars has impeccable credentials for a stallion career. Third to Golden Horn in the Derby and runner-up to Jack Hobbs in the Irish Derby, the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes winner is out of Love Me Only, a Sadler's Wells half-sister to the outstanding racehorse, sire and broodmare sire Giant's Causeway.

That makes her a close relation to Group 1 winner and sire Gleneagles, who is by Galileo and out of Love Me Only's half-sister, the Group 2 winner and brilliant broodmare You'resothrilling.

Love Me Only is also a half-sister to Pearling, the dam of Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes winner Decorated Knight.

Bred by Jane Lyons' Summer Wind Farm, Storm The Stars raced in the colours of Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum and was trained by William Haggas initially, for whom he won the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes as well as his York success. He was also third in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris.

Storm The Stars in action - the son of Sea The Stars won the Great Voltigeur StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

Transferred to Australia and the care of Chris Waller he was third in a pair of Group 2 contests.

He retired to stud in France and his first crop of three-year-olds already includes the winners Astral Spirit and Stormy Spirit as well as a number of placed performers.

His sole offering at the Goffs Land Rover Sale was a gelding sold for €55,000. Harold Kirk, principal agent for Willie Mullins, reported that they have several horses by Storm The Stars and commented: “We’re very happy with them and he’s a sire very much on our radar.”

Stack said: “I’m delighted to have secured the services of such an exciting sire for Irish breeders. I know it’s a cliché but he really does tick all the boxes – he was top-class, he has a brilliant pedigree and he’s a beautiful looking horse.

“He’s a lovely big stamp standing just above 16.2h, a pure bay, and he has a great swinging walk and loads of presence. I can’t wait to show him off to breeders.”

Storm The Stars will stand at Coolagown Stud alongside Way To Paris, Zambezi Sun, Shantaram, Carlotamix and Lauro, with his fee to be confirmed at a later date.

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