By Michael Burns
Global Hunter, a multiple graded stakes winner in his native Argentina and a grade I winner in the United States, has been purchased by syndicate of South American breeders, including breeder Haras La Providencia and will take up stud duty at Haras Chenaut, situated in the province of Buenos Aires.
The Southern Hemisphere 9-year-old son of Jade Hunter stood his first two seasons at stud at Magali Farms in Santa Ynez, Calif., and arrived in recent days in Buenos Aires where he is currently undergoing quarantine at La Providencia.
Foaled in 2003, Global Hunter made his U.S. debut in 2008 for L-Bo Racing and Monte Pyle. Trained by A.C. Avila on the California circuit, Global Hunter captured the 2009 Eddie Read Stakes (gr. I) and 2010 American Handicap (gr. IIT). He also won the Lure Stakes and placed third in the Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I).
Global Hunter, who recovered from a life-threatening injury after winning the American Handicap at Hollywood Park, won or placed in 19 of 30 races and earned $611,365.
"If I had to summarize Global Hunter, I have to say that in my opinion he is what every breeder looks for, something very hard to obtain, because he has the conformation, race record, and pedigree that a great stallion prospect must have," said Rafael Dellacasa, one of the principal shareholders and co-owner with Juan Jose Trucco of Estancia La Chiquita. "Like few special others, he had a very productive racing campaign here in Argentina as in the United States. I don't want to sound over confident, but I have already become very attached to him. I fell in love with the horse when I saw him recently at La Providencia."
Global Hunter is out of the blue hen mare Griffe de Paris, a champion daughter of 1978 Argentine Quadruple Crown winner Telescopico and dam of five group/graded stakes winners, including three group I winners. A group I winner in her native Brazil, Griffe de Paris is also the dam of Argentine champion Ollagua and Brazilian Oaks winner Una Beleza.
Global Hunter's sale was brokered by Uruguayan Bloodstock Consultancy Stud & Haras and Magali Farms.
"He is an incredibly beautiful animal with excellent conformation and balance added to his outstanding pedigree, I think he should do extremely well and be very popular in South America," said Tom Hudson, manager at Magali Farms. "We truly miss him around here. He is a very intelligent horse, and we wish his new connections the very best."