NEW BRITISH STALLIONS ON SHOW AT THE TBA FLAT STALLION PARADE
The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Flat Stallion Parade 2024 took place on Thursday (1st February) at Tattersalls, featuring 10 stallions. The line-up included EL CABALLO (GB), MIDNIGHT SANDS, MUTASAABEQ (GB) and SOLDIER’S CALL, who are new to the British stallion ranks this year.
While El Caballo, Midnight Sands and Mutasaabeq are standing their first season at stud in 2024, Soldier’s Call was relocated by Steve Parkin to his new stallion farm, Dullingham Park. The sire had his first crop on the racecourse in 2023, highlighted by Group 3 winner DAWN CHARGER and over 25 individual winners.
Ollie Fowlston, Managing Director at Dullingham Park, spoke to Great British Racing International at the event:
“When Steve Parkin purchased Dullingham Park two years ago with an aim to turn it into a stallion stud, he always thought of bringing Soldier’s Call down to stand here. He saw a gap in the British market for stallions in the £10,000 price range and Soldier’s Call was an ideal fit. The stallion arrived at the stud a few months ago and it was like he had been here all his life. He took to his new home and the facilities really well.”
As a two-year-old, Soldier’s Call won the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot for Parkin and trainer Archie Watson before outclassing his rivals in the Group 3 Prix d’Arenberg and Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes. He was also a close third in Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye, only beaten by a neck.
He remained competitive as a three-year-old, placing at Group 1 level at both Royal Ascot and the York Ebor Festival behind generational sprinter BATTAASH.
When asked about Solider’s Call’s first crop, Fowlston said:
“His first crop performed really well, and we have had all the right feedback since the start of this year regarding the three-year-olds. Jane Chapple-Hyam trains BORN TO ROCK and she has recently given us a very positive review of the filly.
“Karl Burke has DOROTHY LAWRENCE (GB) and Dawn Charger, his first crop Group winner, and he told us that both are showing all the right signs. Karl and connections are considering the Group 3 Prix Sigy in France for Dawn Charger’s 2024 debut. Soldier's Call already has a few three-year-old winners in January so it should be exciting to follow his progeny this year.”
Fowlston went on to discuss SHAQUILLE (GB), who stands alongside Soldier’s Call:
“Shaquille has let down extremely well since he was retired to stud at Dullingham Park. It is a real privilege to be able to stand Europe’s 2023 best three-year-old sprinter. He has been well-received by breeders and we have closed his book at 150 mares.”
Great British Racing International also spoke to Sophie Buckley, who stands El Caballo at Culworth Grounds Farm, and Jamie Jackson, Sales & Nominations Manager at The National Stud, about new recruit MUTASAABEQ. To watch their interviews and to find out more about the new stallions, click here.