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Colt will continue to race in Khalid Abdullah silks
Khalid Abdullah - owner of global powerhouse breeding operation Juddmonte Farms - has sold the breeding rights to recent Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Siskin (First Defence), his racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe confirmed on Monday.
Unbeaten in all five starts, including the Phoenix Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) on his final start as a juvenile, the Ger Lyons-trained son of First Defence (Unbridled’s Song) consolidated himself as one of the most exciting colts of his generation with a fine victory in the Group 1 Classic on his seasonal reappearance on the weekend.
“He’s come out of the race very well. Ger was obviously delighted with his performance, as was Prince Khalid,” Grimthorpe told Sky Sports Racing.
“There have been various rumours and talks, so to confirm, breeding rights have been sold to him to a group of breeders. Confidentiality says I can’t say any further. He will continue to race in the colours and name of Prince Khalid for his racing career.
“It would be [a unique situation] – I’d say it’s probably a first [for Khalid Abdullah]. There’s a business to be run and when the offer was made, it was considered satisfactory and we took it from there.
“Prince Khalid has sold horses before and I’m sure he will do again.”
Siskin is by former Juddmonte Farms stallion First Defence, who stood at the operation’s Kentucky base from 2006 until he was sold to stand in Sauda Arabia in 2016.
Grimthorpe also confirmed the Sussex Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Goodwood is likely to be Siskin’s next port of call, ruling out a quick turnaround for Saturday’s St James’s Place Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Royal Ascot.
“Royal Ascot is obviously a bit too soon – the St James’s is eight days after the Irish Guineas,” Grimthorpe added.
“That leaves the option of the Sussex Stakes, provided Prince Khalid was happy. I think we’d look towards Goodwood, certainly.”