An outstanding first book of mares awaits the brilliant sprinter Starman, some of them belonging to his owner-breeder David Ward.
Ward, who bred the Group 1-winning son of Dutch Art out of Northern Star, was active at the winter breeding stock sales sourcing some lovely mares with which to support Starman - as noted in this TDN article published on Monday.
"Ward made quite a splash at Goffs November, where his purchases included the Aga Khan-bred Ediyva (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) for €300,000 and the G3 Sweet Solera S. winner Muraaqaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) from Shadwell for €160,000. The mares are carrying foals by Siyouni (Fr) and Dark Angel (Ire), and Ward said he is keeping an open mind about future plans for those imminent arrivals.
"I am going to have to be seen to be selling certain progeny, so the most likely scenario is that the Dark Angel and Siyouni will be sold as my focus is really on Starman and getting him going. The mares will then be definitely bred to Starman and I will be aiming to keep the majority of that resulting progeny to race for myself."
Ward was also busy at Tattersalls, coming away with five mares, but a slightly different approach is being adopted with these.
"These are a more commercial bunch in that I will probably sell a few in foal to Starman just to get his name out there at the sales. It's not set in stone but there is the guts of a plan there; we'll just finalise things as we go along. Ultimately I need to sell nice horses that will give Starman the best chance of success."
He added: "He's definitely in the right hands and it's a situation I am very happy about. There has been plenty of interest in the horse from breeders in Ireland and England; if he could go on to mirror the success of Kodiac or Mehmas that would be amazing. Tally-Ho also have a significant broodmare band and will be supporting Starman with their own mares, so he really is going to get every chance."
