Hunting Horn set for new career at Capital Stud

Camelot's Royal Ascot winner Hunting Horn has joined Capital Stud’s stallion roster and will form part of a new venture for the Kilkenny-based Stud belonging to Irish international showjumper Ger O’Neill.

A son of Camelot, Hunting Horn won his maiden and placed in two Classic trials for Aidan O’Brien before taking the 2018 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in impressive fashion.

He became a hardy international campaigner, placing in the Belmont Derby Invitational and the Prix Niel as well as running in the likes of the Sheema Classic, Man o’ War Stakes and the King George at Ascot.

He added another significant prize at the end of his career when winning the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup in Australia.

Hunting Horn was sold privately onwards to his new connections in a deal brokered by Jack Tuohy of Chapel Lane Bloodstock.

His dam, Mora Bai is by Indian Ridge and is a half-sister to the late dual Derby winner High Chaparral, with her most recent yearling making 320,000gns last year.

Connections will stand the new stallion for a fee of €2,500, with concession fees for black type or black type-producing mares.

"Hunting Horn is an impeccably bred son of Camelot who has really gone into the 'elite' sire status. He is also out of a half sister to High Chaparral, who sired multiple champions under both codes, which we felt was very important when sourcing.

"We feel that this is a brilliant opportunity for breeders to access the highest-rated son of Camelot at stud in Ireland and that he represents good value, especially in these uncertain times. As we know, the Montjeu line needs no introduction and has produced some of the best racehorses and sires of our time.

"Like most good sires he was an exceptionally tough and sound horse in his racing career, defeating 25 individual Group 1 winners, including multiple Classic winners, around the world in all conditions.

"He really showed what he was capable of on the biggest stage in racing at Royal Ascot as a three-year-old, clocking the fastest ever win in the Hampton Court Stakes over a mile and a quarter. The time was quicker than his elders ran in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes over the same distance that week." Jack Tuohy.