January 14th, 2007

STALLIONS begins another series of profiles of stallions whose progeny are for sale for the first time at public auction this year. 

Among them is Beckett.

Beckett proved himself to be a high-class performer by winning the Group I National Stakes (1400m) at the Curragh, one of two wins in three starts as a juvenile, as well as a 1200m event at Leopardstown. He then took out the Listed Joel Stakes (1600m) at Newmarket in his classic season. In addition he was second in the Listed Solonoway Stakes and third in the Group 3 Futurity Stakes, which were both decided at The Curragh, from just six starts.

An expensive yearling, Beckett is by the Northern Dancer horse Fairy King, a Champion United Kingdom Two Year Old Sire and a brother to multiple UK Champion Sire Sadler’s Wells and a three-quarter brother to Champion French sire Nureyev.

Fairy King has an added attraction in this part of the world as the sire of Encosta de Lago. 

In his own successful stud career, Fairy King has been responsible for the magnificent six time Group I winner Falbrav, the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe hero Helissio, ()the sire of the triple Group I winner and now WA-based sire Helenus), the English Derby winner Oath, multiple Group I winners in Turtle Island and Revoque as well as Irish Champion Two Year Old Second Empire.

Beckett’s dam Groom Order is by the Group I Prix Lupin winner Groom Dancer, a son of Blushing Groom, and from American Order by Slew o’Gold (by Seattle Slew). Along with Beckett she is the dam of the black type winner Barring Order (by Barathea) and multiple winner King Street (by Fairy King).

Beckett’s great grandam Exclusive Order (Exclusive Native) was a high-class sprinter in France where her wins included the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Gheest and the Group 3 events Prix de la Porte Maillot and Prix du Calvados. She has also been a success at stud producing the Champion 3YO Miler in the United Kingdom, Entrepreneur, (by the Blushing Groom Group I winner Groom Dancer) is closely related to the champion English Three Year Old Miler Entrepreneur (by Sadler’s Wells), winner of the English 2000 Guineas, Exclusive (by Polar Falcon) winner of the Group I Coronation Stakes. 

Exclusive Order is a sister to the stakes placegetter, Teddy's Courage and a three-quarter sister to the stakes winning Athenia who in turn is the dam of the American Group 3 winning Athenia Green. 

Beckett commenced stud duties in Ireland in 2002 and he has had 17 individual winners from just 60 starters. In his southern season he stands at Mike Becker’s Independent Stallions who have secured a 50% share in him.

“We brought Beckett quite reasonably, which enables us to stand him at a competitive fee,” Becker said, “but if we were trying to buy him, as a Group I winning son of Fairy King, in today’s market his price would have been prohibitive.”

Beckett commenced his first season 2004 and breeders’ showed their support sending 106 mares to him and last season he covered 111 mares. 

“Beckett represents tremendous value in today’s market, and breeders are showing they appreciate that by the support they have given him.”

Beckett has two yearlings on offer at the forthcoming Magic Millions Sale at the Gold Coast and both go through the ring on Thursday, January 18th.

Beckett will have ten yearlings on offer at the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale (February 19-22), three at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale (February 10 – 12) and six in Melbourne at the Inglis Premier sale (March 4 – 6).

July 24th, 2005

Independent Stallions’ Beckett has made an encouraging start to his stud career in the northern hemisphere, the good looking bay represented by two recent promising winners.

Becoming his sire’s first winner was Norman Beckett (ex Classic Coral by Seattle Dancer), a two-year-old colt who proved six lengths too good for his rivals in a Redcar seven furlong event on June 18.

Eleven days later and Bye Bye Ben (ex Fey Rouge by Fayruz) showed good natural pace to take out the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden at Bellewstown.

Beckett, due shortly to arrive for his second stint at Independent Stallions at Euroa, proved popular during his first season here – serving 106 mares.