Backed by an outstanding campaign in Europe and an exceptional pedigree, the son of Galileo makes his debut as a stallion in Argentina with 69 offspring and the support of prestigious studs
By Diego H. Mitagstein
The Irish Derby (G1) is one of the most important 3-year-old races in the European season. Among its past winners are icons of modern horse racing such as Nijinsky (Northern Dancer), The Minstrel (Northern Dancer), Shirley Heights (Mill Reef), El Gran Senor (Northern Dancer), Montjeu (Sadler's Wells), Galileo (Sadler's Wells), Camelot (Montjeu), and the legendary Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact), most of whom went on to become exceptional sires.
Only two colts who have won this classic, held on the turf at The Curragh in late June or early July, have come to stand as stallions in Argentina: the now established Treasure Beach (Galileo) and Sovereign (Galileo), who currently stands at Haras El Mallín and will present his first crop at the sales this season.
Antonio Bullrich, the owner of the stud, shares: "I had the obsession of having a Galileo at Haras El Mallín, but never imagined it would be a winner of the Irish Derby. He meets all the conditions, and when we went to see him, he was imposing. He has the physique and conformation, with a lot of length and not too much muscle, thinking of winning the Pellegrini, although if a sprinter champion comes out, I’ll take the picture happily. We also add pedigree and campaign. Normally, there’s something to forgive, but luckily, in his case, there isn’t."
Sovereign had an excellent 2-year-old campaign and showed speed, always running from the front, and then had remarkable performances at 3 years old. Besides winning the Irish Derby, he was second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, behind Enable (Nathaniel), one of the best mares in history. It's impossible not to get excited, and it's still incredible to have him with us without needing to do a shuttle."
A bay, Sovereign has a truly outstanding pedigree. His dam, Devoted to You (Danehill Dancer), was a multiple Group 3 placegetter and also produced Jan Brueghel (Galileo), who won the St Leger (G1) in Doncaster in 2024, Dawn Rising (Galileo), a Group 1 placer, and Triplicate (Galileo), a Group 2 placegetter. The family is filled with influential names like Balanchine (Storm Bird), Coroebus (Dubawi), Thunder Snow (Helmet), West Wind (Machiavellian), and Trust In a Gust (Keep the Faith), among others.
Sovereign's first crop in Argentina consists of 69 foals, including offspring from mares such as Curtida Nistel (Van Nistelrooy), La Más Posh (Hurricane Cat), Perfect Melody (Lizard Island), Miss Seiter (Numerous) (the mother of Nistel Seiter (Van Nistelrooy)), Poorlittlebridgett (Indian Charlie) (which produced Despacito (Sabayón)), Elizabetha (Hurricane Cat) (dam of Embriagame (Fragotero)), Red Knight (Honour and Glory) (mother of Force Majeure (Manipulator)), Toninha (Grand Reward) (producer of Pablinho (Hurricane Cat)), Una Bocha (Hurricane Cat) (which gave birth to Bichita de Luz (Fragotero)), and the cherry on top, Save the Date (Hurricane Cat), mother of Subsanador (Fortify), the Champion 2-Year-Old Male in Argentina and G1 winner in the United States.
Among the studs supporting Sovereign are Firmamento, La Leyenda, La Pasión, Doña Pancha, Embrujo, Cardenal, La Quebrada, Las Camelias, La Repatriada, and Cardenal.
"What he has produced is exactly what we expected, imposing horses, he really stamps his type on them; very few resemble the mothers. He received total support and did his job like no other horse we've had. Now, of course, it’s all about the racetrack, which is the most difficult part, and the best offspring will be presented at the sales, with the backing of many strong breeders. Sovereign has great character, and he passes that on, as we can see at the stud—they’re very well-mannered. Having easy-to-handle horses is vital," Tony says about the characteristics of Sovereign'soffspring, who will soon be hitting the sales ring as part of the new generation of stallions debuting commercially in 2025.
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