The Champion sire has four foals on the ground. In Ireland, Ballymacoll Stud’s first foal of 2014 was a bay colt by the Champion sire Redoute’s Choice. Stud principal Peter Reynolds said of him: “The foal is a good strong sort and an excellent first foal and we are very pleased with him.” The dam, Fleur de Cactus, is a winning Montjeu mare who is herself a half-sister to Desert Bloom the dam of the Ballymacoll bred recent Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente.

At Haras de Bonneval, the first foal for Redoute’s Choice was a filly out of sprint Listed winner Kerasona (Oasis Dream). Further foals are expected this season from the Aga Khan’s broodmare band, including those of dual Gr 1 winner Shareta (Sinndar), of Champion Zarkava (Zamindar), Ashalanda (Linamix), Sagawara (Shamardal) and Tanoura (Dalakhani).

In France, the Wertheimer Brothers’ Haras de Saint-Leonard welcomed a filly foal out of maiden mare Monst (Monsun). Stud manager Pierre-Yves Bureau commented: « This filly is full of quality and well -proportioned; she is a nice first foal. This augurs well for the future, as we have sent several mares to Redoute’s Choice, including Goldikova’s dam. »

The latest birth to date is Brookdale Farm’s, who welcomed a bay filly late last week in Kentucky, a first foal for the Niarchos bred Visual Mind (Kingmambo), a half-sister to juvenile Group 1 winner Pathfork, who beat Casamento and Zoffany in the National Stakes.

Redoute’s Choice is due to arrive back at His Highness the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval on Wednesday 15th January 2014, where he will quickly acclimatise before resuming stud duties at the start of the northern hemisphere breeding season next month.

Redoute’s Choice covered 120 mares, at the price of AUD 137,500 (approx. €90,000) in Australia during his latest southern hemisphere season, and once again topped the stallion tables at the recent premium yearlings sales held by Magic Millions, with an average of A$ 286,500 (approx. €189,000) and a A$1 million top price.

Breeders will have the opportunity to see Redoute’s Choice, alongside Bonneval residents Sinndar and Siyouni, on Saturday 1st February, during the annual Normandy Stallion Route.

Private appointments are also welcome. The team at the Haras de Bonneval welcomes those interested in this exceptional opportunity to contact them directly for further information on +33 2 31 48 18 60.

Updated on 14/01/2014