Ardad, who got away to the fastest start of any British first-crop sire ever, will stand at £12,500 Oct 1, SLF in 2022. The Overbury Stud stallion has enjoyed a sensational year with his juveniles, who are led by G1 Middle Park and G1 Prix Morny winner, Perfect Power. Scarcely a week after breaking his maiden, the Richard Fahey-trained colt emulated Ardad with a Royal Ascot triumph, taking the G2 Norfolk Stakes. Eve Lodge, who beat the colts in a high-class running of the G3 Sirenia Stakes, is Ardad’s leading filly, among a haul of 21 winners so far. No fewer than 12 had been successful by Royal Ascot – that’s a record for a British freshman sire and, among all comers, only Acclamation back in 2007 has ever had more.
Ardad went on to have six juveniles competing at Royal Ascot, also including the G2 Coventry third Vintage Clarets. Among the leading speed stallions, only Ardad’s sire Kodiac had more juveniles rated 80 or higher by Timeform by the end of the meeting: Mehmas, Showcasing and Dark Angel were all behind him on the list.
Striking early-season successes, combined with big sales at the breeze-ups, earned Ardad his biggest book so far – he covered 156 mares in 2021 – and the high quality of his runners has resulted in a feeding frenzy for his second-crop yearlings. They have made up to 190,000gns and averaged £56,000. Remarkably, all 30 offered have sold.
Simon Sweeting, manager of Overbury Stud, said, ‘Ardad is proving to be a most unusual stallion, fully capable of passing on not only his powerful good looks and movement but also his laid back and charming temperament. He’s already proved himself to be a notable source of Royal Ascot two-year-olds and sales stock, and we’re really looking forward to seeing what the future brings. His stud career could certainly scarcely have started any better.’
