SYDNEY - Doncaster Handicap winner Haradasun has become the most valuable stallion prospect purchased in the Southern Hemisphere following his partial sale to Irish-based Coolmore Stud.
Haradasun's managing owner Frank Tagg yesterday confirmed Coolmore had bought a 50 per cent share in the 3-year-old, although he remained tight-lippedon how much was paid.
Coolmore, which has several breeding operations around the world, was reported to have purchased Choisir for A$25 million ($27.7 million) following his Royal Ascot double four years ago.
However, it is believed the price it paid for a half-share in Haradasun sets his value even higher.
Tagg said he fielded offers from several studs, one of which was believed to be the Dubai-based Darley, but opted for Coolmore because it enabled him to retain a stake in the colt.
Haradasun is a half-brother to multiple group one winner Elvstroem - also raced by Tagg - who stands at Blue Gum Farm in Victoria. Both are out of Tagg's 1995 AJC Australian Oaks winner Circles Of Gold.
Michael Kirwin, general manager of Coolmore Australia, said he was thrilled to secure Haradasun as a future sire and declared the colt had yet to reach his racetrack potential.
"As a dual group one winner by Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus out of Circles of Gold, dam of champion Elvstroem, he is obviously already one of the best bred and most exciting stallion prospects in Australasia," Kirwin said. "And we believe that the best is yet to come."
Haradasun has won six of his 10 starts and is already a dual group one winner having taken out the George Ryder Stakes-Doncaster double in Sydney in the autumn. He will get the chance to add to that this spring in October's Cox Plate (2040m).
