Imperador Set for Stud Debut with Promising First Crop

With 47 yearlings out of high-profile mares, the Stud RDI star kicks off his legacy in the sales ring

The strikingly handsome Imperador, a top-class performer on the track / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

A consistent performer across Argentina, Brazil and the U.S., Stud RDI took on a major new challenge in 2022 when it began developing the outstanding Imperador (Arg) as a stallion. With several major farms backing the project, the first crop by the high-class son of Treasure Beach (Galileo) heads to the sales ring this season—and they’re already generating plenty of buzz.

Striking in appearance and superb on the racetrack, Imperador saw his career interrupted by injury just as he was reaching his peak. In Argentina, he captured both the G1 Gran Premio 2000 Guineas and the G1 Gran Premio Miguel A. Martínez de Hoz, having kicked off his 2-year-old campaign with a win in the Clásico José B. Zubiaurre.

He also finished a close second—by just half a neck—to Roman Joy (Arg) (Fortify) in the G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club, was runner-up in the G3 Clásico Ensayo, and ran a creditable fourth, just 1 1/2 lengths behind Brazilian standout Nao da Mais (Brz) (T.H. Approval) in the G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini.

Exported to the U.S. and trained by Paulo Lobo—having previously raced under Diego Peña in Argentina—Imperador confirmed his talent stateside, finishing second in the G1 United Nations S. at Monmouth Park before capping his career with a victory in the G2 Calumet Turf Cup S. at Kentucky Downs.

Out of Duchess Royale (Ire) (Danehill), Imperador stands at Haras Chenaut and hails from the same female family as champions Saffron Walden (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and Dolphin Street (Fr) (Bluebird), as well as the top-class Nijinsky’s Lover (USA) (Nijinsky), who produced both Naninja (USA) (Alysheba) and Dance Master (USA) (Gone West).

His first crop includes 47 yearlings, among them several head-turners:

• Penita Linda, out of Pulposa Holiday, and a full sister to Pulp Fiction (Arg) (Daddy Long Legs), winner of the 2024 G1 Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas.

• Right Now, out of Super Carina (Our Emblem), winner of the G3 Clásico Federico de Alvear.

• Reve D’Espoire, a half-brother to G1 winner Napa Valley (Chi) (Il Campione) and G3-placed Jack Bauer (Chi) (Agnes Gold).

• Kyoto, a half-brother to the stakes winner Keira (Arg) (Lenovo).

• Chiquilina Bonita, out of the stakes-winning Chiquilina Paz (Missionary).

• Runaway Train, out of the G1-placed and stakes-winning Gabrielle (Dubai Dust).