Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}–Pearling, by Storm Cat), who races for breeders Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, will retire to the Irish National Stud for 2018, joining fellow new recruit G1SW National Defense (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). A limited number of breeding rights will be available in the three-time Group 1 winner and his fee will be announced in the coming days.
Bred at his owners' Blue Diamond Stud, the Roger Charlton trainee enjoyed his best season at the races in 2017, taking the G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan to join the ranks of Group 1 winners, and upped his top-flight tally to two when favoured in The Curragh's Tattersalls Gold Cup over 1 1/4 miles at the end of May. The 5-year-old continued to perform with credit throughout the season, and scored by a half-length in the G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend in September. A winner of the 2016 G3 Meld S., Decorated Knight was also runner-up to Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the 2017 G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot. Last seen competing in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 4, he retires to the Irish National Stud with a record of 19-8-4-1 and prize money of $1,786,522.
“The Irish National Stud are thrilled to add a high class son of Galileo to our burgeoning roster,” said Cathal Beale CEO of the Irish National Stud. “With performance, physical and pedigree to die for, Decorated Knight ticks all the boxes.”
The first foal out of a full-sister to European Horse of the Year and U.S. champion sire Giant's Causeway and MGSW You'resothrilling, Decorated Knight's second dam is the MGSW Mariah's Storm (Rahy). You'resothrilling has already produced European champion and dual Classic hero Gleneagles (Ire), this year's MG1SW Happily (Ire), G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Marvellous (Ire) and GSW & GISP Coolmore (Ire), all to the cover of Galileo (Ire).
“Decorated Knight has the distinction of being the best horse bred by Blue Diamond Stud and we're delighted that he is to stand at the Irish National Stud,” said Tony Nerses, advisor to Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar. “He possesses an excellent turn of foot as well as durability that saw him win three Group 1 races this season. He is also a member of one of the most influential families of the modern era, behing out of a sister to champion sire Giant's Causeway and multiple Group 1 producer You'resothrilling. We look forward to supporting him at stud.”
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