Animal Kingdom to rest for the 2016 season

The decision has been taken to rest Animal Kingdom for the 2016 Southern Hemisphere breeding season, which would have been his fourth in Australia.

Animal Kingdom, whose first Australian-bred 2YOs run next season, will remain at Darley’s Jonabell Farm in Kentucky after he completes the current US season.

The Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup winner will, however, return to Arrowfield Stud for the 2017 Southern Hemisphere season.

Arrowfield’s Bloodstock Manager Jon Freyer says, “Arrowfield and Darley are the majority owners of Animal Kingdom, we’re firmly committed to him and we’re very pleased with his first progeny both here in Australia and in the United States.

“His stock have good size and scope with a tremendous depth of girth and appeal as late season two-year-olds and Classic horses.”

Freyer adds, “In a very competitive marketplace the fourth season is always the most difficult. We have great faith in Animal Kingdom and have decided to take a longer-term view of his stallion career so we’re resting him now, after he’s served three very big books in Kentucky and six consecutive seasons north and south .

“He’s an exceptional horse, but not surprisingly as a Kentucky Derby winner he’s been more popular in the US, so it makes sense to rest him from his Australian duties.”