Dark Trooper also contributed some valuable prize-money to the Yeomanstown Stud stalwart’s cause with a second in the Wokingham. He is typical of the sort of hard-knocking sprinter or miler with a touch of class that the sire excels at throwing, and will stand him in good stead for his title challenge.
Dark Angel’s influence was also felt in one of the most impressive winners of this year’s meeting, nine and a half-length Chesham Stakes scorer Bedtime Story, who is by Frankel out of his dual Nunthorpe-winning daughter Mecca’s Angel.
Charyn’s dam Futoon (by Kodiac) was covered by him every year from 2018 to 2023, also producing Mill Reef Stakes winner Wings Of War on the cross; Khaadem’s dam White Daffodil (by Footstepsinthesand) was sent to him ten years out of 11 up to 2022, the recipe also coming up with smart two-year-old Log Out Island; and Dark Trooper’s dam Warshah (by Shamardal) produced eight consecutive foals by him between 2013 and 2022, another being the Listed-winning juvenile filly Fantasy Lady.
Dark Angel really does seem to be a force for good in a pedigree, especially as his progeny are often so durable. Eight-year-old Khaadem winning an elite contest at Royal Ascot for the second year in a row is the latest example of that.
Only a handful of sons at stud in Europe, the most expensive of whom is the statistically sound Harry Angel at Dalham Hall Stud at just £10,000, is not giving such an outstanding stallion a fair chance to establish a dynasty.
Sumbe could be left holding all the aces, as it snapped up Dark Angel’s dual Group 1-winning son Angel Bleu last year and has Charyn lined up to join him at Haras de Montfort et Preaux. Nurlan Bizakov’s operation also has on its books Lethal Force’s Commonwealth Cup-winning son Golden Horde, many people’s idea of a dark-horse freshman sire to follow this season.
Racing Post 2024/06/25
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