Imported stallion LAST KINGDOM will bring top-shelf bloodlines to the table when he is introduced to the sire ranks by Kooringal Stud this year.
The Group 3-winning seven-year-old (pictured) has arrived at the Harefield property, just north of Wagga, with impeccable credentials.
“LAST KINGDOM was purchased by one of our clients who is looking to expand his thoroughbred operations in Australia and Asia,” Kooringal Stud’s Angus Lamont said.
“His owner has a number of mares heading to LAST KINGDOM but is opening him up to Kooringal’s clients wishing to send a mare to him.”
LAST KINGDOM is by Galileo’s breath-taking son FRANKEL, who is recognised world-wide as the best of his generation.
FRANKEL was unbeaten in 14 starts, with his remarkable list of victories comprising 10 at Group 1 level.
His victory in the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot was by a devastating 11 lengths, while he spaced his rivals by six lengths in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings Committee rank FRANKEL as the best racehorse they have assessed since their ratings were introduced in 1977.
Almost as impressive is FRANKEL’S stud record of 65 stakeswinners from 446 runners.
“FRANKEL is a superstar and doing an incredible job in Australia, with 35 starters to date for 7 stakes winners at an amazing 20 per cent stakes winners/runners including multiple Group 1 winner HUNGRY HEART and winner of the Group 1 Metropolitan MIRAGE DANCER,” Angus said.
LAST KINGDOM’S dam side is littered with black type performers.
The bay’s dam Compelling is by the renowned KINGMAMBO and has produced three winners from as many to race, including the Group 3 placegetter Ivyetsu.
LAST KINGDOM’S second dam DAMSON won the Group 1 Curragh Phoenix Stakes and was the champion two-year-old filly in Ireland in 2004.
DAMSON had the dual Group winner REQUINTO among her seven foals to taste success on the racetrack.
“LAST KINGDOM’S female line is first class too, with plenty of depth and a number of fantastic horses that have raced all over the world,” Angus said.
A quality performer himself, LAST KINGDOM stamped his class by winning three of his first five appearances.
LAST KINGDOM was runner-up at his only two starts as a juvenile before registering three wins in a row at Maisons-Lafitte in France.
Completing the hat-trick was the Group 3 Prix Daphnis over 1800m.
LAST KINGDOM trained on to win races with considerable strength in Hong Kong at Happy Valley and Sha Tin.
A total of five victories – from 1600m to 1800m – and six placings netted LAST KINGDOM close to $700,000 in prizemoney before his retirement to stud this year.
“He was not a horse that I knew a lot about but going back through his form he was a very handy two and three year old in Europe, who then was purchased for big money to race in Hong Kong,” Angus said.
“He won a couple of races over 1650m as an older horse in HK, which I suspect around that mile was his pet distance but it was really that early form and his bloodlines that appeal to me.”
LAST KINGDOM will stand at an introductory fee of $6600 alongside the dual Group 1 winner PRIZED ICON and emerging sire THE BROTHERS WAR.
