Horse in Australia Identified as Samood

The horse believed to have been Dubai Excellence when sold to stand at stud in Australia has been identified as Samood.

Michael Ford, keeper of the Australian Stud Book, confirmed that recent DNA test have confirmed the horse presently in Australia is Samood, an Irish-bred son of Caerleon out of the Ahonoora mare Park Appeal.

"It seems that the mix-up occurred when both stallions shared a paddock near Newmarket in England" Ford said. "The wrong stallion left for Europe instead of going into quarantine for his trip to Australia."

That the blood typing of Samood matches that of the horse in Australia has been confirmed by England's stud book keeper, Weatherbys.

Samood is a half-brother to Cape Cross. The horse purchased by from Darley by Ted Van Heemst to stand at his Evergreen Lodge was supposed to be Dubai Excellence, a half-brother to Dubai Millennium. Cape Cross, who also shuttles, is the sire of last year's VO5 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. I) winner, Ouija Board.

Van Heemst had sold 80 seasons to Dubai Excellence for the breeding season that begins in Australia next month.

The question remains as to where the real Dubai Excellence is.