Ballylinch - 200 Years Of Breeding Successes
Ballylinch Stud has indeed left an indelible mark on global thoroughbred breeding industry. Its stallions were champion makers and the tradition has continued till this day.
Ballylinch's greatest stallion was The Tetrarch who is buried just yards from today’s stallion yard. Although he was plagued with challenges in his new career after being retired as a 3YO, his progeny inherited his blazing speed. He sired only 130 foals throughout his stud career. Among them was McCalmont’s 2000 Guineas winner Tetratema, also buried at Ballylinch, and the Aga Khan’s flying filly Mumtaz Mahal.
Mumatz Mahal became an important ancestress in the pedigrees of some of history's most influential sire lines, including Nasrullah, Royal Charger, Tudor Minstrel and Mahmoud. Nasrullah sired Bold Ruler, the sire of the Seattle Slew/A.P. Indy modern stallion lines.
Bold Ruler is possibly most famous for producing Secretariat, renowned for his stamina and also an influential broodmare sire. Nasrullah also produced the lines leading to Red God (1954), Grey Sovereign (1956) and Never Bend(1960). The Tetrarch also sired Paola (who won the 1923 Coronation Stakes) and The Satrap (champion two-year-old of 1926).
Today Ballylinch houses Lope De Vega along with champions Fascinating Rock and Beat Hollow as well as young classic winners Make Believe and New Bay.
The son of Sharmadal has sired 9 Group One winners till date, including Santa Ana Lane, The Right Man, Vega Magic, Newspaperofrecord, Phoenix Of Spain, Capala Temptress, Zabeel Prince, Belardo and Jemayel.
Thus Ballylinch Stud continues it tradition of not only racetrack celebrities but also potential sire-lines which will make history.
In addition, the broodmare band continues to strengthen as the result of ongoing investment, while burgeoning partnerships with others, in particular the China Horse Club, offer the promise of a fruitful season on the track.
Credit – www.thoroughbredracing.com