Best of The Bests to Windfields

Group I winner Best of The Bests, a leading first-crop sire in England by winners, will stand the 2007 breeding season at Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario.

The son of champion Machiavellian out of the group-winning Darshaan mare Sueboog will stand for a fee of $5,000 (Canadian funds).

"I think with the Polytrack surface at Woodbine now a different kind of horse may need to be produced in Ontario," said Windfields manager Bernard McCormack. "This horse brings size, a wonderful pedigree that traces back to North America, and he is already on the move as a stallion."

Irish-bred Best of The Bests won the Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-I) at nine furlongs at Longchamp as a 5-year-old in 2002, defeating top racemare Banks Hill. He also won his maiden as a 2-year-old in the Solario Stakes (Eng-III) at Sandown and placed in several European group I stakes during his career. They included two running of the Irish Champion Stakes (once to Giant's Causeway ).

Best of The Bests won five of 19 starts before entering stud in England in 2003 as property of Darley Stud. He last stood at East Burrow Farm in England.

From his first crop of 2-year-olds this year, Best of The Bests has sired nine winners, including stakes-placed runners Middleham and Street Lightning.

McCormack said an open house to view Best of The Bests and the other Windfields stallions will be held in early December.