MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] Bay 1997 Danzig – Retrospective, by Easy Goer

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] is a Kentucky-bred who sold at the Keeneland July Yearling Sale, 1998, for $ 1,000,000 to renowned veterinarian Dr. Demi O’Byrne, acting on behalf of Coolmore Stud.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] was sent into training with Aidan O’Brien at the historic Ballydoyle Stables in Tipperary’s Golden Vale in Ireland.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] made his debut in June 1999 in a 6 fur. maiden race at Leop-ardstown in Ireland and scored in stunning style by seven long lengths, following which he was sent to England for a crack at the 6 fur. TNT International July Stakes, Gr.2, at Newmarket. Here he ran a grand second on his step up to Group company, beaten just over a length.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] showed that he belonged in this company when annexing the  6 fur. Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes, Gr.2, at York, in fine style in August.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] was then reserved for an ambitious engagement on dirt in the definitive juvenile championship event across the Atlantic, the 9 fur. Breeders Cup Juvenile, Gr.1, at Gulfstream Park. Here he ran superbly for a turf runner, finishing on the board, beaten just about five lengths in fourth spot.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] ran a brilliant neck second at 3, just failing to overhaul King Charlemagne in the 7 fur. Emirates Airline Minstrel Stakes, Gr.3, at the Curragh, back in Ireland.

• Another fine performance, on par with his best efforts, came in the 7 fur. Theo Fennell Lennox Stakes, Gr.3, at England’s Goodwood racecourse, where MULL OF KINTYRE [USA] was an excellent third.

• On unsuitably heavy going MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] gained his final “on-the-board” spot in the 6 fur. Gr.1 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup at Haydock Park. In all, he won twice and was on the board five times, from only 9 starts.

• During his racing career, MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] has beaten such outstanding runners as ISLAND SANDS (won Sagitta 2000 Guineas, Gr.1),  CAPTAIN STEVE (multiple Gr.1 winner, incl. Dubai World Cup, Gr.1), REEL BUDDY (won Sussex Stakes, Gr.1; sire), BRAHMS (won Early Times Hollywood Derby, Gr.1; sire), DIXIE UNION (multiple Gr.1 winner, incl. Haskell Invitational Handicap, Gr.1; sire), etc.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] was retired to the Coolmore Stud in Ireland in 2002.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] had excellent fertility during his five seasons in Ireland and one season in Kentucky.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] is a son of the stud sensation DANZIG, the North American-based breed-shaper, thrice champion sire in North America, and sire of at least 178 stakes winners worldwide, whose sire sons include:

• DANEHILL, champion 3yo sprinter in Eng, Ladbroke Sprint Cup, Gr.1, champion sire.
• GREEN DESERT, champion sprinter/miler in Eng, incl. July Cup, Gr.1, etc., leading sire.
• CHIEF’S CROWN, champion 2yo colt, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Gr.1, etc. , leading sire
• LANGFUHR, champion sprinter in Can, Metropolitan Handicap, Gr.1, Vosburgh Stakes, Gr.1, leading sire  
• POLISH PRECEDENT, champion 3yo colt in France, Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, Gr.1, leading sire
• ANABAA, champion older male in France, $482,394, Darley July Cup, Gr.1, leading sire.

and whose daughters include:

• DANCE SMARTLY, $3,263,835, Horse Of The Year in Canada, champion thrice, Breeders' Cup Distaff, Gr.1.
• YAMANIN PARADISE,  $1,457,353, champion 2yo filly in Japan, Hanshin Sansai Himba, Gr.1
• PAS DE REPONSE, $347,321, champion 2yo filly in France, Shadwell Stud Cheveley Park Stakes, Gr.1.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] is bred on similar lines to champion miler LURE, Japanese standout YAMANIN PARADISE and to BRAHMS, DAYJUR, QUALIFY, etc.

• MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] is out of a winning half-sister to the highly successful BROAD BRUSH (14 wins, $2,656,793, incl. several Gr.1 wins and a leading sire), to stakes winner HAY HALO, and to the dams of millionaire TOKAI WILD, and stakes winners HIGHER STRATA, NOT LIKELY and UP AN EIGHTH.

• This is the superb family of CAPOTE, EXCELLER, BALDSKI, VAGUELY HIDDEN, AMERICAN STANDARD, , CARMINITA, etc.

• At stud, MULL OF KINTYRE[USA] has sired nearly 100 winners with earnings of about $ 3,000,000, headed by ARAAFA (3 wins, $726,783, incl. Irish 2000 Guineas, Gr.1, St. James's Palace Stakes, Gr.1, 2nd in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Gr.1; sire), LA DANCIA (5 wins in Germany, incl. Frankfurter Stutenpreis, Gr.3, twice), NOT FOR ME (3 wins, incl. Roses Stakes, L.), and STELLAMAC (won James H.B. Carr Stakes in Australia).

Press comments:

The Racing Post

After his neck defeat to stablemate KING CHARLEMAGNE in the Emirates Airline Minstrel Stakes, Gr.3:

MULL OF KINTYRE never flinched in the final battle.

After finishing on the board in the Gr.1 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup:

MULL OF KINTYRE returned from a long injury break to prove himself both smart and reliable.

Following his victory in the Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes, Gr.2:

MULL OF KINTYRE put up a performance to match his impressive physique, moving sweetly throughout and quickening clear of the highly-regarded Ma Yoram from the furlong pole. He's bred to stay further, but he has an impressive cruising speed.

After his maiden win:

A recurring theme here, with Aidan O'Brien unveiling another talented juvenile in MULL OF KINTYRE, who found plenty despite running a bit green when sent to the front well over a furlong out. Running on strongly, he was putting distance between himself and his rivals all the way to the line.