Stallion life suits Golden Horn

Only time will tell whether Golden Horn can match his considerable racecourse achievements as a stallion, but the early signs could not be more positive.

Almost a year on from his magnificent display in winning the Investec Derby, the beautiful son of Cape Cross is enjoying his second career only a couple of miles from his former home at Clarehaven Stables – and yet it seems like a different world.

While on the doorstep of the hive of equine activity that is Newmarket, Dalham Hall Stud sets an idyllic scene of tranquillity, providing its residents with the perfect retirement home as they wind down from their high-octane racing days.

From the moment you drive through the gates of what is a breathtaking establishment, it is clear no expense has been spared by Godolphin and Darley supremo Sheikh Mohammed.

And that becomes even more apparent once guided to the stallion yard.

With the Suffolk sunshine beating down, there Golden Horn stands proudly peering over the door of his immaculately kept box, as a lucky few members of the racing press and media queue up for a glance or a photograph.

Golden Horn will rightly go down as one of the finest middle-distance performers of recent times, having followed up his Epsom heroics with major victories in the Coral-Eclipse and the Irish Champion Stakes before going out in a blaze of glory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

He is clearly an exciting prospect at stud and Dalham Hall’s director of stallions, Sam Bullard, said he has so far proved “unbelievably good” in the breeding shed.

“He broke the track record when he won the Derby and was the highest-rated turf horse in the world last year. It was a huge boost to our operation that Mr (Anthony) Oppenheimer (owner-breeder) decided to send him to us to stand here,” said Bullard.

“We bought 50 …

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