Demarchelier Becomes First Dubawi to Stand at Stud in Brazil

A graded stakes winner in the United States, who had been standing at Claiborne Farm, has been acquired by a breeders’ consortium and will continue his stud career in 2025 at Haras Río Iguassu

Demarchelier Arrives in Brazil Amid High Expectations / CLAIBORNE FARM

Demarchelier lands in Brazil backed by a consortium of breeders comprising Haras Río Iguassu, Haras Cima, Haras Cifra, and Haras Palmerini. He will be based at Río Iguassu in Paraná, with shares and breeding rights already on sale—an initiative set to shake up the regional breeding landscape.

Bred by Newsells Park Stud, Demarchelier was purchased as a yearling at Tattersalls by Peter Brant’s team for 425,000 guineas and sent to the United States under the care of Chad Brown. He debuted with a win at two on the inner turf at Aqueduct and returned at three to capture an allowance at Keeneland. On June 1, 2019, he made his stakes breakthrough in the Pennine Ridge Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park, remaining undefeated in three starts and pointing directly toward the Belmont Derby (G1). Unfortunately, a condylar fracture in that race forced his retirement, closing his career with three wins and earnings of US$188,520.

His pedigree speaks volumes. A son of the super-sire Dubawi, Demarchelier hails from the family of Jude (Darshaan), one of the most influential branches of European breeding, counting blue hens like Quarter Moon (Sadler’s Wells) and Yesterday (Sadler’s Wells) among close relatives. This lineage, combined with his proven turf ability in the United States, made his transition to Claiborne Farm a logical step, where he stood for a competitive fee and enjoyed strong backing from his owner.

At stud, Demarchelier has delivered. Claiborne and BloodHorse highlighted him as “the only Dubawi son in Kentucky,” and with his first crops already on the track, he has posted tangible results: he led first-crop sires in North America for turf winners, with Watchtower, winner of the Autumn Miss Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita at three, becoming his first graded winner and recently finishing third in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G2). In Europe, his son De Sica won at Clairefontaine and was runner-up in the Prix de Condé (G3) at Chantilly, also placing in listed company. Another notable offspring, Take My Picture, finished second in the San Jacinto Turf Stakes (L) at Sam Houston. These performances indicate early maturity and sustained quality from a mile to classic distances.

For Brazilian racing, Demarchelier’s arrival is strategically significant. First, he brings genetics from one of the strongest sires globally, proven on turf—the dominant surface in the U.S.—with a miler-to-stayer profile ideally suited to national classic programs. Second, he is supported by four prominent haras, providing the infrastructure to distribute his progeny widely and ensure competitive volumes. Third, he offers a direct connection to the Dubawi line, whose influence on Galileo (Sadler’s Wells), Danehill (Danzig), Monsun (Konigsstuhl), and other dominant lines has been consistent on both sides of the Atlantic. Indeed, Demarchelier is the first Dubawi to stand in Brazil.

Practically, the ownership group has already launched pre-sales of shares and breeding rights, confirming his residence at Haras Río Iguassu in Tijucas do Sul, Paraná. Local breeders are advised to explore crosses with stamina-oriented mares (Galileo, Monsun, Hernando) to pursue the classic Dubawi nick, as well as mares by Put It Back (Honour and Glory), Wild Event (Wild Again), Agnes Gold (Sundy Silence), or Elusive Quality (Gone West)—lines offering speed and tactical versatility—to enhance his turn of foot. Early progeny have shown effectiveness from 1,400 to 1,800 meters, with potential for stretching further.

In short, Demarchelier arrives with a brief but distinguished racing career, an indisputable pedigree, and an initial crop already showing promise in the United States and Europe. Coupled with the commercial muscle of Río Iguassu, Cima, Cifra, and Palmerini, he represents a rare opportunity for Brazilian breeders: to integrate the Dubawi imprint domestically with a young stallion in the prime of his projection curve. The 2025 season clock is ticking; the book is taking shape—and so is the excitement.