Breeding & Racing Magazine

Danzig Gr1-Winning Son Astronomer Royal To Blue Gum

Victoria's Euroa-based Blue Gum Farm announced the addition of US-bred & formerly Irish-trained 5YO champion & French classic winning sprinter-miler Astronomer Royal (Danzig-Sheepscot, by Easy Goer) to its roster for the 2009 breeding season. Racing for trainer Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable in 2007, Astronomer Royal (from the final crop of 3-time US champion sire Danzig) won France's Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) over 1600m at Longchamp at just his 4th start & followed-up a month later with a 3rd-placing in the UK Gr1 St James's Palace Stakes (8 furlongs) at Royal Ascot; he finished his classic year as Champion 3YO Male Miler in France. The following year as a 4YO, he carried top-weight of 10 stone (63.5kg) to win Ireland's Gr3 Greenlands Stakes (6 furlongs) at the Curragh. Astronomer Royal (a half-brother to the North American Gr2-winner Navesink River) is currently completing his 1st season at stud at Normandy-based Haras de la Reboursiere in France & his Australian fee will be announced at the completion of the Easter yearling sale.