Darley has responded to the uncertain times facing breeders by making a number of cuts to stallion fees across its British, French and Irish rosters for the 2021 breeding season.
While Flagship sire Dubawi remains at a career-high fee of £250,000 at Dalham Hall Stud and Night Of Thunder’s fee increases to €75,000 (from €25,000) at Kildangan Stud, other sires have had their fees held at the same level or reduced.
Darley has also released initial fees for the recently retired trio of Pintabuo (£35,000), Ghaiyyath (£30,000) and Earthlight (€20,000).
Liam O’Rourke, Darley’s Director of Stud Stallions and Breeding, said: “We know that breeders are facing unpredictable times and have reflected this in our fees, in Europe and the United States.
“We’ve aimed to be supportive in our approach for 2021 and we trust breeders can take advantage of what we believe is our strongest roster ever – yet one that is keenly priced.
“We are thankful to all the breeders who have used our stallions in the past and we look forward to offering them the best opportunities for the future. We have three very exciting new stallions joining the ranks, giving us ever confidence that 2021 and beyond will see more success.”
Too Darn Hot, who will have first foals on the ground next year, has had his fee trimmed at Dalham Hall from £50,000 to £40,000 while Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Golden Horn will stand at a reduced price of £20,000. Iffraaj and Cracksman will stand at £20,000 and £17,500 respectively.
Farhh and New Approach will have private fees for 2021 while Derby winner Masar has had a slight reduction to £14,000 for 2021. Harry Angel will stand at £12,500 next year.
Belardo and Buratino, standing at Kildangan, will stand for unchanged fees of €10,000 and €5,000 respectively. Ribchester has had his fee cut 12.5% from €20,000 to €17,500 while Raven’s Pass will stand for €7,500, down from €10,000.
Charming Thought and Outstrip will each command a fee of £4,000 next year, while the roster at Dalham Hall is completed by Territories (£10,000) and Postponed (£7,500).
Darley stands four sires at Haras du Logis in France: Cloth Of Stars (€7,000), Ultra (€5,000), Bow Creek (€4,000) and Hunter’s Light (€4,000).
Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions, added: “It is a source of great pride that the best horse in the world this year and the best two-year-old for a generation are not just retiring to Darley having raced for Godolphin, but are themselves the sons of Darley stallions. That, and the value we are offering to breeders, makes us very optimistic about the future.
“While 2020 has undoubtedly been a challenge, there has been remarkable resilience in parts of the yearling market, and buyers have shown great confidence in the product of European breeders’ labours.
“We are confident that, with the support of our breeders and their mares, the Darley stallions will continue to breed the star horses of the future.”
