Animal is King of the barn too

Six positive tests confirm that Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom is as fertile in the barn as he was spectacular on the track.

Arrowfield Stud’s Operations Manager Sam Fairgray reports, “He’s the smartest first season stallion I have seen in the barn, an absolute natural and a pleasure to work with.”

Animal Kingdom’s early coverings include Vitesse Dane (Queensland Oaks G1), Merlene de Lago (Group 2-winning daughter of Golden Slipper winner Merlene), Suspicion (Group 3 winner), Armed For Action (Listed Stakeswinner & 3rd, Blue Diamond S. G1), Miss Bussell (Stakes-winning Group 1-placed dam of Group 3 winner Miss Darcey) and Gibraltar Campion (Listed Stakeswinner).

Meanwhile, several of his former rivals have continued to frank the quality of his race record.

Champion US mare Royal Delta, unplaced after setting the pace in the Dubai World Cup, has added another two Grade 1 wins to her record this year, including the Delaware Handicap by almost 11 lengths.

Planteur, third in the Dubai World Cup, 7 lengths behind Animal Kingdom, has since finished second in the Prix d’Ispahan G1.

2012 US Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who withstood Animal Kingdom’s sensational challenge in last year’s record-setting Breeders’ Cup Mile G1, is unbeaten in 2013, with five wins including last weekend’s Woodbine Mile G1 by more than three lengths. Obviously, third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile behind Animal Kingdom, has since won the Shoemaker Mile G1.

Meandre, sixth in Animal Kingdom’s World Cup, beaten 9 lengths, defeated last Saturday’s Dato’ Tan Chin Nam S. G2 winner Fiorente by 6 lengths in the Prix Foy G2 this time last year at Longchamp.

Animal Kingdom’s first season fee at Arrowfield Stud is $38,500 inc. GST.