Old for new in 2008

JANUARY 2008: The precocious Storm Cat stallion Old Deuteronomy (USA) has been acquired by Emirates Park and will be introduced to the stud‘s roster for the 2008 breeding season.

A former high-class 2-year-old with outstanding juvenile bloodlines, Old Deuteronomy (Br. 2001, Storm Cat-Jewel In the Crown, by Seeking The Gold) proved himself against the best performers of his generation during a short but impressive race career.

Old Deuteronomy made an immediate impression as a racehorse, running out a brilliant five lengths winner in a 2-year-old maiden over 6 furlongs (1200m) at Newmarket on debut.

Such was the manner of his performance, the brilliant son of Storm Cat evoked one form analyst to comment: “This looked an above average maiden and was won in devastating style by Old Deuteronomy. Having raced in behind the leaders in the early stages, he was switched left to deliver his challenge over a furlong out and simply took the breath away with the acceleration he showed.”

Although the Newmarket event proved to be his only victory as a 2-year-old, Old Deuteronomy proceeded to place second in both the Group One Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh and Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. Significantly, five of his six race starts as a 2-year-old came in major European Pattern Race events staged in England, Ireland and France.

Campaigned in North America as a 3- and 4-year-old, Old Deuteronomy scored another two wins in Allowance company at Churchill Downs, and also added to his black-type record by placing second in the Listed Sea O’ Erin Mile Handicap at Arlington. All up, he was the winner of three races from 6 furlongs to a mile.

Old Deuteronomy’s 2-year-old performances could not have come as any surprise considering his pre-potent bloodlines. By the multiple US champion sire and acclaimed sire-of-sires Storm Cat, this quality individual is from a daughter of Seeking The Gold, himself a US Champion Sire of 2YOs.

Old Deuteronomy’s female family also boasts a host of exceptional European Classic horses including Where You Lead, his third-dam, winner of the York Musidora (G3) and runner-up in the Epsom Oaks (G1).

Of course, Where You Lead is now one of the most celebrated names in the thoroughbred stud book, having become the matriarch of a distinguished family. She herself produced the Newbury Fred Darling Stakes (G3) winner and Epsom Oaks (G1) runner-up Slight Dangerous, who in turn produced the Epsom Derby (G1) winner Commander-in-Chief.

Long since established as one of the most success strains in world racing and breeding, also from this immediate lineage is the Australian champion sire Scenic (Ire), as well as the multiple UK champion sire Rainbow Quest.

An introductory service fee for Old Deuteronomy will be announced following the major yearling sales staged in March-April. For any further information in the interim, please contact Edward Alvares 03 9746 1444.