Nathaniel, emphatic winner of last year’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-I) and this year’s Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I), has been retired and is to be syndicated at stud.
A son of leading international sire Galileo out of the Silver Hawk mare Magnificient Style, Nathaniel retires to stud as the winner of two of Europe's best races and more than $2.3 million in purse earnings. He will stand at Newsells Park Stud.
Commenting on the syndication, James Wigan of London Thoroughbred Services said: “Nathaniel has been a star over the past two years and his racing CV is extremely impressive. He is by the best sire in the world and is one of three group I winners and eight stakes winners produced by his dam. Add in to the mix that he is a beautiful looking individual with superb conformation and you have an incredibly attractive stallion prospect.
“Nathaniel’s owners believe that the horse represents a rare and exciting opportunity for breeders to come together and share in an exceptional stallion prospect, the type of stallion that has been almost exclusively in the hands of Coolmore, Darley or Juddmonte in recent years. The considerable interest we have already had in Nathaniel from Europe’s leading breeders, has only confirmed that others share their enthusiasm to participate in this project.”
Julian Dollar, General Manager of Newsells Park Stud, added: “We feel very privileged to stand a horse like Nathaniel at Newsells Park and as you would expect, he will receive very significant support both from ourselves and the Rothschilds. The idea of attracting other like-minded breeders into a powerful syndicate is a very exciting one and gives Nathaniel an outstanding chance to succeed as a stallion.”
Nathaniel has been a top-class racehorse over three seasons, ever since running within a half-length of Frankel when the two made their debuts in the same race at Newmarket in August 2010. He closed out his career with a third-place finish to Frankel in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (Eng-I) on Oct. 20. Nathaniel just missed repeating in this year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes when he finished second by a nose to Danedream. Last year he also won the King Edward VII Stakes (Eng-II).
"Nathaniel was one of the very best colts I have trained," said trainer John Gosden. "An incredibly tough, courageous and versatile horse, he always gave his all, from 10 furlongs to 12 furlongs and on any ground. I’m not sure he ever got the full credit he deserved for his brilliant win in the King George as a 3-year-old.
“He came back and showed his battling qualities when victorious in the Eclipse on his four-year-old debut and then again only 14 days later when failing by inches (on the nod to Danedream) to land a repeat victory in the King George. It is also worth noting that when second to Snow Fairy in the Irish Champion Stakes in September, he beat the race record by just under a second on fast ground. Perhaps the Arc this year should have been his race, but he showed again against Frankel at Ascot that he has the ability and courage to be a match for the very best.”
Nathaniel was bred in Ireland by Kincorth Investments and raced for Lady Rothschild and Newsells Park Stud. Magnificient Style also has produced group I winners Playful Act and Great Heavens as well as Grand National Hurdle Stakes winner Percussionist.
For all enquiries relating to Nathaniel, please contact either Julian Dollar at Newsells Park Stud or James Wigan at London Thoroughbred Services.