Peintre Celebre a Scratch Down Under

In a surprise move, Coolmore Australia has canceled the southern season of Peintre Celebré.

Coolmore cited the 10-year-old son of Nureyev's popularity with European breeders as the reason for calling off what was to have been a seventh season at the conglomerate's Australian branch in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.

Michael Kirwan, Coolmore's Australian CEO, said Peintre Celebre "has paid the price" for his success. "As a result, he covered his largest book of mares in Ireland this year and it was decided to give him a well-earned break from shuttle duty," he said.

In 2003, his son Dai Jin won the Hamburg Deutsches Derby and Credit Suisse Private Banking-Pokal (both Ger-I); and another son, Pearl of Love, the Gran Criterium (It-I). His daughter, Vallee Enchantee, collected the Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) last December.

This year, Irish-bred Castledale won the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), and Mr. Sandgroper won a group I event in Australia.

The 1997 Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) winner's southern fee fell from $60,000 (Australian funds) in 1999 to $22,500 last year. It had been listed as private in 2004, but was applied to Coolmore's complete NSW roster. His average at the major sales of Australia and New Zealand was $61,707 for 27 yearlings.

Kirwan said Peintre Celebre was certain to return to Australia in 2005.

Peintre Celebre in Australia
Year, Covers, Foals, Fee (A$)
1998, 11, 10, N/A
1999, 107, 77, $60,000
2000, 104, 76, $50,000
2001, 85, 56, $40,000
2002, 90, 54, $32,500
2003, 77, N/A, $22,500
2004, cancelled