Alfie’s Here To Stay

Alfred Nobel was Ireland’s star two-year-old in 2009 when he won the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, first run in 1902, and the Group 2 Railway Stakes, first run in 1851, for Mrs Sue Magnier, the wife of Coolmore owner John Magnier, and leading European owners Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor.

WA bloodstock agent John Chalmers then attempted to purchase Alfred Nobel but Coolmore would not sell and added him to their Irish stallion roster. After several months of negotiations Chalmers was able to secure a 50 per cent interest in the horse for Lynward Park Stud, owned by Perth Racing chairman Ted van Heemst.

Alfred Nobel subsequently shuttled to WA in 2011 (serving 65 mares), 2012 (62 mares)  and 2013 (56 mares).

His first northern hemisphere crop hit the tracks last year and he sired 10 individual winners and eight individual placegetters in England, Ireland, France and Italy. He has had three to race from his first WA crop – Dickey (third in the Listed Magic Millions Perth 2Y0 Classic), Showy Chloe (debut third in the Listed Supremacy Stakes then third in last Saturday’s Listed Gimcrack Stakes, recording the fastest final 600m in both races) and Danerip’s Girl (debut second in the Westpeed Plate).

“Alfred Nobel did not handle the travel from Ireland to WA via England and Sydney,” said Chalmers. “So he did not shuttle last year and it was subsequently decided he should remain based in one hemisphere.

“Coolmore are the leading international breeding operation with bases in Ireland, the USA and Australia. They stand a galaxy of stars headed by Galileo, rated the world’s best stallion, and agreed to relinquish their interest in Alfred Nobel in a major boost for the WA industry.

“A recent survey indicated more of Alfred Nobel’s first local crop will race over the coming three or four months and there was no negativity surrounding his future prospects. His average of $35,250 at the recent Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale is about eight times what his 2015 service fee of $4,500, plus GST, has been set at giving breeders the real opportunity for a healthy return”

Alfred Nobel’s sire, Danehill Dancer, who took the Phoenix Stakes in 1995, has sired 158 stakes winners, including Choisir, the champion Australian 2Y0 colt in 2001-02 and the champion English sprinter in 2003. Choisir has sired 63 stakes winners including hot young sire Starspangledbanner, the champion Australian sprinter in 2009-10 and the champion European, English and Irish sprinter in 2010.

His dam, Glinting Desert, is by Desert Prince, head of the 1998 International 3Y0 Classification, from Dazzling Park, the 1999 champion European 3Y0 filly. Dazzling Park’s dam, Park Express, was the joint champion Irish 2Y0 filly in 1985, the champion Irish 3Y0 filly in 1986 when she was also top filly on the English 3Y0 Free Handicap.