SYNDICATE BUYS INTO ASTRONOMER ROYAL

A syndicate of breeders has purchased a significant interest in ASTRONOMER ROYAL and, as a result, the Classic winning son of Danzig will be re-located to Eliza Park this spring.
“The syndicate has been searching for a well credentialled son of Danzig for some time and with Astronomer Royal’s weanlings selling so well this year, they’re convinced they’ve found the right horse,” Eliza Park CEO Cameron Croucher explained.
At the Easter Broodmare Sale last year, mares in foal to Astronomer Royal sold for $240,000 and $200,000 and buyers have clearly liked the result with weanlings fetching as high as $90,000 – over 10 times service fee – in 2011.
Astronomer Royal has certainly set the tongues wagging with leading agent Paul Guy declaring: “they’re just lovely horses and he’s a really exciting horse for Victoria.”
Damon Gabbedy of Belmont Bloodstock concurs: “I’m very impressed by the Astronomer Royal’s overall … they are a lovely bunch.”
Mark Player, who purchased the $90,000 colt from Chelsey Cry at the recent Great Southern, was equally enthusiastic: “I thought he was the best colt on the ground. A very attractive colt with very good presence.”
The Champion 3YO Male Miler of France, Astronomer Royal won the Longchamp Poule d’Essai des Poulains-G1 (French 2000 Guineas), a distinction he shares with a vast array of influential sires, including – in recent years –  Shamardal.
Also, Astronomer Royal finished close up in the time honoured St James’ Palace Stakes-G1 behind Excellent Art and Duke of Marmalade and ran Europe’s best sprinters to less than a length (after being held up at a vital stage) in the July Cup (1200m).
Out of the stakes winning Easy Goer mare, Sheepscot (who has also produced the Group Two winner Navesink River), Astronomer Royal boasts a tremendous black type family, as would befit a son of the legendary Danzig (197 stakes winners).
“We are very excited to be standing Astronomer Royal which brings our roster to 12 for the 2011 season,” Croucher adds. “Naturally he will be applicable for Eliza Park’s best terms – transferrable free return and no payment of service fee until 31 March 2012 – but due to the late announcement, package deals will also be available.”
Astronomer Royal will stand the 2011 season at a fee of $8,800 and for further information phone David Somers (0428 440 330), Mark Lindsay (0416 334 338) or Phil Marshall (0407 853 782).