Top-class racehorse and sire Westerner retired from stud duties at Castlehyde Stud

Coolmore has paid tribute National Hunt sire and top-class racehorse Westerner as the operation confirmed he has been retired from stud duties at the grand old age of 26. 

The son of Danehill was a top-notch performer over four seasons for trainer Elie Lellouche and his owner-breeders the Wildenstein family, with his Group 1 haul including the Prix du Cadran and Prix Royal-Oak at four and five and the Gold Cup at six. He was also second to Hurricane Run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe that same year. 

His overall race record saw him win 11 times from 28 starts and place a further 11 times. He retired to Coolmore's Castlehyde Stud in 2007 for an opening fee of €6,000 and remained at the €4,000 to €6,000 mark during his 18 years of service. 

Among his leading progeny are Stayers' Hurdle hero Cole Harden, ill-fated Champion Bumper and Racing Post Novice Chase victor Ferny Hollow, Arkle scorer Western Warhorse, Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle and Grade 1-placed Love Envoi and the high-class Dysart Dynamo. 

Westerner on his way to winning the Gold Cup at York in 2005Credit: Whitaker Edward

He has recently been responsible for the unbeaten The Big Westerner, an easy winner of the Lyons Of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle for Henry de Bromhead in November. 

Westerner also features as the broodmare sire of last season's Liverpool Hurdle victor Strong Leader and 2023 Sharp Novices' Hurdle winner and Challow Novices' Hurdle second Lookaway. 

A statement on X said: "Five-time Group 1 winner and Prix de l’Arc runner-up Westerner has been retired from the Coolmore National Hunt roster following a glittering stud career that has yielded household names such as Ferny Hollow, Cole Harden, Love Envoi and Dysart Dynamo. 

"The 26-year-old son of Danehill will remain at his home in Castlehyde Stud, where he stood for an astonishing 18 consecutive breeding seasons."

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