When Raven's Pass retired to Kildangan Stud, shortly after landing the Breeders’ Cup Classic in record time, breeders were understandably keen to send their best mares to this hugely talented performer.
Also a record breaker at two – having set a new course record at Sandown when romping to a seven-length victory in the G3 Solario Stakes, Raven’s Pass was defeated just once as a juvenile when third to New Approach in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes.
A remarkably consistent performer (who won or placed in eleven of his twelve starts), the strapping son of Elusive Quality returned at three to place in the St James’s Palace, the Prix Jean Prat and the Sussex Stakes before following up victory in the Celebration Mile with a win in the fastest-ever QEII.
He rounded off his magnificent career with a scintillating win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, defeating Horse of the Year Curlin, and setting a new course record at Santa Anita in the process.
Raven’s Pass was rewarded with a superb first book of mares that included 32 Group winners and 20 dams of Group winners – 11 of whom had produced G1 winners.
His first foals are currently on offer at the European sales; however he has already made an outstanding impression in the United States, with his first six foals to sell averaging just under $200,000, with a top price of $335,000.
He has two colts due to sell at Goffs this week – both out of Stakes-winning mares. Lot 631, consigned by Cloneymore Farm, is out of the multiple G3 winner Miss Sally; while Kilfrush Stud’s colt out of the Listed-winning G3 performer Traou Mad is already half-brother to a Black type performer in Roscoff.
Raven’s Pass also has seven foals entered in the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, due to take place from 24-27 November.
Five will go through the ring on Friday and include Lot 938, a colt out the Sadler’s Wells mare Sadinga. The mare is also the dam of Black type performer Cool Judgement and is herself a half-sister to G1 winners Eva’s Request and Priory Belle. Lot 1042, consigned by Ballybin Stud, is a filly out of Soul Mountain – a half-sister to G2 winner Girl Warrior who is herself by Raven’s Pass’s own sire and fellow Darley stallion Elusive Quality.
On Saturday, two foals are due to sell and include Usk Valley Stud’s colt out of the G1 winner Zanzibar – also dam of King’s Best’s multiple Group winner and G1 performer Spice Route.
