West Australian breeders are set to gain an exciting new stallion this spring, with high-class Wootton Bassett import Royal Patronage (Fr) joining the roster at Darling View Thoroughbreds.
An elite son of the late champion sire Wootton Bassett, Royal Patronage was a standout juvenile in Europe when trained by Mark Johnston, highlighted by his victory in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes (1m) at Newmarket, where he defeated Coroebus, who would later win the Group 1 2000 Guineas.
Initially campaigned as a stayer during his classic season, Royal Patronage contested the Epsom Derby before being purchased for 300,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale and transferred to the Australian stable of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Re-trained as a sprinter-miler, he thrived under Australian conditions, winning the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at his first local start, defeating high-quality mare Amelia’s Jewel.
He followed that performance with a placing in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, finishing third behind Ceolwulf.
Royal Patronage improved further in the autumn, capturing the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and finishing a close second to Stefi Magnetica in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile.
Free of Danehill bloodlines, he boasts a strong pedigree with ties to the Aga Khan Studs, descending from the family of champion three-year-old Shahrastani.
Royal Patronage will stand at Darling View at a service fee of $16,500 (inc GST), joining a roster led by WA Champion Sire Playing God, alongside emerging stallions Splintex and Lightsaber, with their fees to be announced next week.
Darling View’s Brent Atwell expressed his enthusiasm at securing the stallion.
“That (the Doncaster) was arguably his best run in Australia. He was caught three and four wide without cover and was only beaten a lip by Stefi Magnetica,” Atwell said.
“I didn’t like our chances of buying a Group 1 winner of that calibre especially after his sire Wootten Basset died, but we were able to clinch a stud deal earlier this month.
“He’s having a break at The Oaks and will fly over in May.”
Royal Patronage retires with six wins and six placings from distances between 1300m and 1700m, with four of his victories coming at Group level across Australia and the UK.
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