Irish Stallion Alzao Sires 100th Stakes Winner

Some five weeks after Ashford Stud stallion Woodman sired his 100th stakes winner, the outfit's parent company, Irish-based Coolmore Stud, welcomed another member of its stallion corps to the century club. Alzao, a 25-year-old Northern Dancer grandson who stands at Coolmore, joined his sire, Lyphard, in the exclusive group when his daughter Angara won the April 27 Bewitch Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland.

Alzao, who entered stud in 1985 after a career in which his big win came in an Italian group stakes, got out to a quick start with his first crop. A daughter, Pass the Peace, was Ireland's champion 2-year-old filly of 1988 and winner of that year's Cheveley Park Stakes (Eng-I). Another daughter, Alcando, was a stakes winner in England that year.

Alcando proved especially versatile. She was a group stakes winner in France the following year and later a three-time North American stakes winner. Her big win came in the 1991 Beverly Hills Handicap (gr. IT).

Alpride was another of Alzao's trans-continental fillies who made a name for herself. An Italian champion as a 2-year-old, Alpride was one of North America's best turf mares in 1995. She captured the Beverly Hills and Yellow Ribbon Stakes (gr. IT) and placed in the Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT) for the first of two times.

Alzao, whose fillies overshadowed his colts, sired such other major distaffers as Alborada, who beat males in winning the 1998-99 Dubai Champion Stakes (Eng-I), and Shahtoush, winner of the 1998 Vodafone Epsom Oaks (Eng-I). Another daughter, Capricciosa, emulated Pass the Peace's accomplishments of being named Irish champion 2-year-old filly and winning the Cheveley Park.

Alzao, who was bred in Kentucky by Shira Racing and produced from the Sir Ivor mare Lady Rebecca, has reached double figures by number of champions worldwide and $40 million in progeny earnings. He has stood at Coolmore for some 15 years and currently holds court for 7,500 euros (approximately $9,600). He is booked to 15 mares this year.