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US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah made a perfect start to his stallion career when his first runner scored and impressive win in Ireland on April 13.
The fittingly named Aidan O’Brien-trainedMonarch Of Egypt (American Pharoah x Up by Galileo) won over five furlongs at Naas.
It was an ominous result for Australian breeders who have supported the son of PioneerOf The Nile in his two southern hemisphere seasons to date shuttling between Kentucky and Coolmore Stud in NSW.His first Australian-bred progeny hit the ground last spring while local mares in foal to the US-bred stallion have already sold for up to $850,000.
He covered 139 mares at Coolmore Australia last spring on a fee of $66,000.All eyes were on Monarch Of Egypt at Naas. Ridden by Ryan Moore and starting favourite, he disputed the lead and was pushed clear to win by two and three quarter lengths.
O’Brien added that Royal Ascot in June is on the agenda for Monarch Of Egypt with the colt expected to run again beforehand.The colt is out of the dual Group winner and G1 placed mare Up and was bought by MV Magnier for $US750,000 at the Keeneland September Sale as a yearling.
American Pharoah, who won eight G1 races and was the first 3YO in 37 years to win the Triple Crown, covered 47 G1 winners and/or producers in his first season at stud in Kentucky.Another high profile Coolmore sire Gleneagles also got off the mark with his first runner winning at Newbury in the UK on April 12.
Highland Chief (Gleneagles x Pink Symphony by Montjeu) scored on debut for trainer Paul Cole over five furlongs and will also be aimed at Royal Ascot.Gleneagles, himself a four-time G1 winner by Galileo, is a-brother to five Group winners from a Storm Cat sister to champion sire Giant's Causeway