[align=center][color=blue]Stallion Spotlight: [color=pink]April I
NCh. Irish Gold
2010 chestnut Thoroughbred stallion, 16.1hh
Irish River (G) x Golden Princess (S) [Created]
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CAREER
Bred by Cirque Du Soleil Stables, Irish Gold won 12 of 67 lifetime start with career earnings of $2,487,150. 54 of the starts were stakes races in which he was on the board in 22 of those starts. During a career span of 5 years, Irish Gold set 4 speed records on the turf at 10f, 12f, & 13f. His notable wins include Arlington Classic (G1), Singapore Airlines International Cup (G1), Lockinge Stakes (G1), Santa Catalina Stakes (G2), Sandown Classic (G2), Jaipur Stakes (G3), and Launceston Cup (G3).
Fun Fact: Irish Gold is the only standing stallion that is a twin! His twin sister, Ch. Opulent, is a MSW and is currently a silver-ranked broodmare. She won the Irish Oaks, placed in the BC Juvenile Turf Fillies and has over $1 million in earnings.
INJURY HISTORY
Irish Gold has had no injuries. Of his offspring we sampled, I found limping, a bowed tendon (x2), overheating, and swelling.
LINEAGE
His sire, IRISH RIVER, Gold-ranked (5.4), had 153 foals, 46 stakes winners and 24 MSW’s with 16 millionaires. These millionaires include ICh. Twilight Embers, GCh. Spirit of Spring, GCh. Irish Flyer, GCh. River of Hope, GCh. Celtic Moon, GCh, Naiad, GCh. Irish Discovery, NCh. Eureka Stockade, and GCh. Cuchulain . He has 1 platinum-ranked daughter, 2 gold-ranked daughters, 8 silver, and 8 bronze. Currently, his actively standing stallions, besides subject stallion Irish Gold, are Carrowmore & Exit Poll.
His dam GOLDEN PRINCESS, Silver-ranked (10.9), produced 11 foals, 10 winners, and 3 multiple stakes winners. In additional to Irish Gold, she produced MSW Ch. Opulent (Irish Gold’s twin) and MSW Ch. Daily Special. Through her daughters, she is the granddam of Ch. Foolbetty, Ch. Ultimate Craving, & Ch. Nightly Feature. She is by a created stallion out of Pink Princess (G) who produced MSW GCh. Irish Flyer & NCh. Always a Princess.
SIRE RECORD
At the time of this post, he is Bronze-ranked (2.9). Irish Gold has sired more than 132 foals from 6 crops with 27% starters, 60% winners, 14% stakes winners and 3% multiple stakes winners. His average earnings for foals is $68,843. Some of his highest-earning offspring are Ch. Ardaigh, Ch. Kilkerney, Ch Irish Cream, Not Roan, Shillelagh, Glossy Gold, Golden Monkey, & Solid Gold. Currently, he is unranked as a broodmare sire, and he only has 1 daughter retired to brood with her first foal due by Naval Commander in 2023.
Out of 65 stallions w/ started offspring:
- 22th in highest winning percentage of offspring
- 41th in offspring earnings
- 17th in highest G1-placed offspring
- 11th in G1-winning offspring
Leading Earners
- [color=red] CH. ARDAIGH ($274,250). Winner of Poker Handicap (G3), Sho
- [color=red]CH. KILKERNEY ($227,850) Winner of Whimsical Stakes (G2).
- [color=blue]CH. IRISH CREAM ($214,000) Winner of Bouwerie (UNG) and Correction Stakes (UNG). Placed in True North Breeders’ Cup (G2) and showed in Kelso Breeders’ Cup (G2). Set a speed record for 6f dirt.
- [color=red]NOTTA ROAN ($194,500) Placed in San Luis Rey Handicap (G2).
Foals for Thought
Of his 5 SW all had their best year at age 3 and 4.
Breeding Suggestions: Matching successful line crosses
- Of his 5 SW offspring, lines include Brazen Remark, I’m A Classic, Magic Glory, Almost Home, and Crimson Lad
- Looking at his SP offspring, lines include Must Be Magic, Omaha & Created.
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Irish Gold currently stands in Florida under ownership of Gant’s Farm for $15,000.
He does not require approval to breed to and is not Breeders’ Cup nominated.[/align]