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If asked to nominate the freshman sire most likely to be the first North American or European stallion to be represented by a group or grade  I winner, it is a fair bet that few experts would have nominated Powerscourt (GB) (TrueNicks,SRO) .

A tough, much-travelled son of Sadler's Wells, who was first past the post in back-to-back renewals of the Arlington Million (gr. I) - disqualified from one - he also took the Tattersalls Gold Cup (gr. I) and Great Voltigeur Stakes (gr. II). Retired to stand at Ashford Stud in Kentucky at a fee of $12,500, he was available for an advertised $7,500 this year. Demand for middle-distance turf runners is not overwhelming in the U.S., but he attracted sufficient mares to be represented by 79 first crop foals. His first winner and stakes winner is Termagant who followed up an impressive debut with a 2 ½ lengths win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (gr. I).

Termagant is the fourth stakes winner by Sadler's Wells or one of his sons out of a mare by Selkirk, the others including group I winner Quiff, and group winner Weightless. This is an example of the Sadler's Wells/Sharpen Up cross, that has produced at least nine other group or grade I winners. Termagant is inbred 3 x 3 to Northern Dancer at the top and bottom of her pedigree, and is also linebred to Red God, Native Dancer and Hyperion (possibly significant given that Hyperion's dam is inbred 3 x 4 to Pilgrimage, the mare who we noted in unusual concentrations in Termagant's female line.

 

Filed under: Sires, European Racing