The Aga Khan will shuttle champion sire Redoute’s Choice to Haras de Bonneval for the 2013 northern hemisphere season.

Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) has established himself as the dominant Australian sire since retiring to Arrowfield Stud in 2000.  He has twice been the Champion Sire of Australia, as well as the Champion 2YO Sire and Champion First Season Sire, with a total of 89 stakes winners including 21 individual Group 1 winners.

In the season just ended, Redoute’s Choice was represented by 17 individual stakes winners worldwide including three in Europe with total earnings in excess of AUD 12 million.  His career earnings exceed AUD 82 million.

He is also proving to be a major sire of sires with 10 sons having already produced stakes winners.  Six of those stakes-producing sons, including Snitzel, Stratum and Not A Single Doubt, have left Group 1 winners.

Redoute’s Choice is one of the world’s most influential sires at the sales as well as the racetrack.  His 658 yearlings sold to date have averaged AUD 444,700 and 60 of them have sold for AUD 1 Million or more.

The great Danehill, sire of Redoute’s Choice, has left a lasting legacy around the world and is now frequently found alongside Sadler’s Wells in the pedigrees of superior performers.  He is from one of the all time great Australian broodmares in Shantha’s Choice who descends from American foundation mare Best In Show, also ancestress of Try My Best, El Gran Senor, Spinning World and Rags To Riches.

Manager Georges Rimaud said the Aga Khan will be sending at least 15 of his own mares.  “In recent years Royal Ascot has proven that the Australian sprinting thoroughbred is comparable with the best in the world,” he said.  “Redoute’s Choice is the dominant stallion in Australia and he has already, from limited exposure, sired major winners from mares by European stallions such as Kingmambo, Caerleon, Last Tycoon, Rainbow Quest and Nureyev

“This is a wonderful opportunity to send northern hemisphere mares to one of the best stallions in the world and he will undoubtedly have a strong and lasting impact on the European bloodstock industry.  Furthermore, he will be a very significant addition to the stallion ranks in France which will give an enormous boost to our breeding industry.”

Arrowfield’s John Messara said the alliance will give Redoute’s Choice the opportunity to create a truly global legacy.  Now aged 16, the two-time Australian champion joins Sea The Stars, Dalakhani, Azamour, Sinndar and Siyouni on the Aga Khan Studs stallion roster for 2013.

Redoute’s Choice has been priced at a 70,000 euros (AUD 82,828) fee at Haras de Bonneval.  He stands this southern season at Arrowfield for a AUD 137,500 fee.