Coolmore Stud enlists Merchant Navy

Group 1 winner Merchant Navy will stand next to his sire Fastnet Rock after being purchased by Coolmore Stud late last week.

Sold for a reported $30 million, Merchant Navy has only been beaten once in six starts highlighted by a brilliant victory in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.  He will race on under the management of Coolmore but has been leased back to his original owners for the Melbourne autumn carnival and an intended trip to Royal Ascot.

“He is a horse of a lifetime,” part-owner Peter O’Brien said.  “He was always special and we look forward to next year and his years to come at Coolmore.  It’s wonderful he will get the chance to stand next to his father and continue the family tradition

“I have a small share and it’s an honour for me to stay in a horse with John Magnier because he has done so much for me personally and in my career.”

O’Brien worked at Coolmore for many years prior to his transfer to Segenhoe Stud.

Merchant Navy cost $350,000 at the 2016 Inglis Easter yearling sale and is out of G3 Sweet Embrace Stakes winner Legally Bay (Snippets).  She also foaled Fastnet Rock’s G2 Roman Consul Stakes winner Jolie Bay who was runner-up to Nechita in the 2012 Coolmore Stud Stakes.

MERCHANT NAVY