Courtier Found His Definitive Breakthrough as a Stallion Through Obataye

A son of Pioneerof the Nile, a stakes winner in the U.S. with a sensational female family, he is clear proof that strong, consistent genetics significantly reduce the margin for error

Courtier winning in the United States / JUDDMONTE

By Diego H. Mitagstein

Genetics often travel through labyrinths that remain an enigma. Nothing guarantees success, although there are many factors that can significantly reduce risk. Around the world, there are breeding operations that rely on their core bloodlines as the foundation of sustained success, and if there is one outfit to which that concept fits perfectly, it is Juddmonte Farm.

Several years have passed since the death of the revered Khalid Abdullah, the man who elevated Juddmonte to the very top, competing head-to-head with powerhouses such as Coolmore and Godolphin, albeit with a far more selective and streamlined operation. Yet pedigrees carrying his stamp continue to collect moments of glory.

The recently run Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) delivered another milestone for Juddmonte Farm, the nursery where Courtier was bred and for which he raced. Courtier is the sire of Obataye, the Brazilian star who became the 18th foreign-bred horse to capture South America’s most coveted race.

Trained by Bill Mott, Courtier broke his maiden early at two at Keeneland and followed up with another win at Churchill Downs. At three, he returned with a runner-up effort in the Kitten’s Joy S. (L) and, after a lengthy layoff, finished third in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2).

His biggest success came later at Horseshoe Indianapolis, where he captured the Centaur S. (L). Courtier concluded his racing career with unplaced efforts in the Hill Prince S. (G3) and the Showing Up S. (L), retiring with three wins from nine starts and earnings of $221,103.

Purchased by a partnership to stand at Haras São José da Serra, Courtier’s emergence as a stallion is firmly underpinned by his pedigree.

He is a son of Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker), a grandson of Argentine champion Lord At War (General) and the sire of American Pharoah, the historic U.S. Triple Crown winner.

Courtier’s dam, Soothing Touch (Touch Gold), was only a minor winner on the track, but proved an exceptional producer. Her offspring include the multiple Grade I winner Emollient (Empire Maker)—later the dam of G2 winner Raclette (Frankel), the stakes winner Ardent (Frankel), and G2-placed Peace Charter (War Front); Grade I-placed Hofburg (Tapit), now also standing in Brazil at Santa María de Araras; and Calm Water (Empire Maker), the dam of the outstanding Laurel River (Into Mischief), crowned World’s Best Racehorse in 2024 after his Dubai World Cup (G1) triumph.

The third dam of Courtier is the legendary Coup de Genie (Mr. Prospector), from the Niarchos empire, a multiple champion and Grade I winner whose influence at stud was historic, producing or appearing in the pedigrees of elite performers such as Denebola (Storm Cat), Bago (Nashwan) and Maxios (Monsun), among others.

In Brazil, Courtier has already sired 19 stakes winners. In addition to Obataye, his progeny includes Grade I winners Ethereum, Dashing Court and Fast Jet Court; Grade II winners Gesto Nobre and Got Court; and Grade III winners Horus do Nilo, Rihanna do Iguassu, Xianggang One and Atomic Heights.

Genetics are never perfect, but when the search is directed to the right places, the path to success becomes considerably shorter.