3 minute read

Ramonti and Celtic Swing, who both stood at stud in Ireland last year, are new additions to the ranks of Italian stallions for 2010. They will join Tillerman, who will also stand his first season in Italy next year, as well as Mujahid, Denon and Distant Way, on the roster at the Societa Allevamento Besnate in Varese.

A seven-year-old son of Martino Alonso, Ramonti began his racing career in Italy, where he won the Premio Vittorio di Capua, before being added to the Godolphin string in Newmarket at five.

He made up into one of the leading European milers of 2007, scoring in the Queen Anne Stakes, the Sussex Stakes, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the Hong Kong Cup.

Ramonti commenced stud duties at Darley's Kildangan Stud in County Kildare this year at a fee of €5,000 and covered 112 mares. He will command the same fee in Italy next year.

His sire Martino Alonso was reported as kidnapped from Siba Stud in Italy earlier this month.

Celtic Swing, a stunning 12-length winner of the Racing Post Trophy in 1994 and the sire of crack Australian sprinter Takeover Target and exceptional filly Six Perfections, had stood at the Irish National Stud since 2001.

The son of Damister was available to breeders at €4,000 in Ireland this year, but has had his fee upgraded to €5,500 for his first Italian season.

Celebration Mile winner Tillerman, previously a member of the stallion rosters at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland and Hedgeholme Stud in the UK, was sold at the Goffs February Sale this year for €30,000 to Alberto Panetta. He will stand at €3,000 next year.

Mujahid has had his fee clipped from €6,000 to €5,000 for next year, with Denon at €4,000 and Distant Way at €3,000.