Joe Foley 'thrilled' to add Sands Of Mali to in-form Ballyhane stallion roster

Ballyhane Stud boss Joe Foley has purchased the Group 1-winning sprinter Sands Of Mali, who will begin his stallion career alongside the likes of Dandy Man, Prince Of Lir and Soldier’s Call at the Carlow operation.

"We’re delighted to announce we’ve bought Sands Of Mali to join the roster here at Ballyhane," said Foley. "He impressed me hugely at York the day he blitzed the field in the Gimcrack and I’ve been on his trail ever since.

"I know how highly Richard Fahey rated the horse from day one, so I’m thrilled to have acquired such a talented Group 1 racehorse for the farm."

Sands Of Mali won four Group races during four seasons in training with Richard Fahey for the Cool Silk Partnership.

The highlight of his career came when he landed the Group 1 British Champions Sprint Stakes at three, beating the like of Harry Angel, Donjuan Triumphant and The Tin Man.

Sands Of Mali defeats Harry Angel in the 2018 British Champions Sprint StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

He was precocious enough to win the Gimcrack Stakes at two and also claimed the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes the following year.

Bred by Simon Urizzi, Sands Of Mali is a son of the Miswaki stallion Panis and joined the Cool Silk ranks having sold for £75,000 when offered by Con Marnane’s Bansha House Stables at the Tattersalls Ascot Breeze-Up Sale.

The Ballyhane stallions have been in fine form during the 2020 season, with Dandy Man having sired the Grade 1-winning River Boyne, Duchess of Cambridge and Albany Stakes heroine Dandalla and the valuable sales race scorer Happy Romance.

First-season sire Prince Of Lir has produced one of the campaign’s best juveniles in Norfolk Stakes winner The Lir Jet, while Elzaam has been represented by the improving Champers Elysees, who was last seen winning a Listed event by seven lengths.

A fee for Sands Of Mali will be announced at a later date.

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