Group 1 sprinter US Ranger will shuttle to Nagambie based stud Independent Stallions for the next three southern seasons.  

US Ranger (Danzig) is currently covering his first northern book at Pauls Mill Stud in Kentucky.  He will replace G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller who will remain at Pauls Mill this year before returning to the Victorian stud in 2011.

“US Ranger had the speed factor at top-level racing that appeals to Australian breeders,” Independent Stallions studmaster Mike Becker explained.  “He is an outstanding individual and carries a great stallion’s pedigree, top and bottom line.  What more could you want?”

As with Artie Schiller, Independent Stallions will offer a three-season breeding package to encourage ongoing support for US Ranger.  He will stand for an $11,000 fee in the southern hemisphere.

US Ranger (USA) is one of the last sons of legendary sire Danzig to retire to stud.  He built up an outstanding record in Europe at two and he was also rated Champion Sprinter at three and four.

US Ranger was unbeaten in three races in France as a juvenile.  Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget saddled him to win the G3 Prix Djebel and finish second in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot before he was transferred to Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle.

He was a blindingly fast front-running sprinter and developed into a high-class performer for the Coolmore team.  He was beaten a head by Marchant D’Or in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket and was also placed in the G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.

“Speed was his forte,” is how Timeform described US Ranger and added, “He is a big, strong, good topped colt.”

US Ranger’s dam My Annette (Roberto) comes from a stallion-making family.  She is a three-quarter sister to Dynaformer and to the dam of last year’s leading American first-season sire Offlee Wild.

Pauls Mill Stud owner Ben Walden, one of the most noted studmasters in Kentucky, revealed US Ranger has proven highly popular with US breeders and has a full book of mares in his first season.

“He’s an extraordinary physical specimen,” Walden said.  “He taken easily to his new role in the breeding barn and is returning outstanding figures.”