The famous Dark Angel has just one half-brother Almanaara, who has reportedly been retired from racing and will be moving to stand at Mickley Stud in Shropshire for 2021.
He is the seven-year-old horse of Shamardal, who was a winner for Dermot Weld in Ireland, was born from the belly of Midnight Angel, who is the unraced mare of Machiavellian and the female parent of Group 1 winner Dark Angel and listed-winning Angel’s Pursuit.
Back in 2017, Almanaara moved to Dubai to stand in Doug Watson’s yard, where he was placed for two further events after securing three victories prior.
Having previously dubbed been with Hamdan Al Maktoum early on in his career, the seven-year-old is now the property of Malih Al Basti, a famous owner who breeds and races the horse in both Dubai and the United Kingdom.
Speaking to the media, Richard Kent, who founded the stud back in 2005, said: “We’re very pleased that Almanaara is standing here at Mickley Stud. He is a kind, well-balanced horse who we thought would be a suitable stallion when we saw him winning in Dubai back in January.
“He offers a fantastic bloodline which at the moment is a most successful one and will give breeders, particularly those based in the north of England, a chance to use very successful blood at an affordable price. We would welcome anyone who would wish to view him.”
Almanaara will be joining up Massaat, who is a Hungerford Stakes winner and 2,000 Guineas runner-up on the roster, as todays outsider bet seeks to bring more earning to fans ahead of the race.
In other news, RSA Chase hero Champ has now been included among the 23 entries in line for the Savills Chase at Leopardstown’s Festival on December 28.
The Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old champ was able to secure victory, having almost succumbed to a defeat, after running past Minella Indo in the last stand at Cheltenham back in March.
This time, however, he will be taking a difficult challenge in his first race away from the usual novice race he is used to, as he will be facing off against two former winners of the chase; Willie Mullins’ Kemboy and Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work.
Along with Delta Work, Eliott has The Storyteller, Samcro, Presenting Percy, Shattered Love, and Battleoverdoyen, while Mullins has Easy Game, Allah, and Acapella Bourgeois.
Minella Indo, who is from the stable of Henry de Bromhead, will also return to bring even more challenge to Henderson’s horse.
The dual victor of Cheltenham’s Pertemps Hurdle Final, Sire Du Berlais could be going out for a Grade One in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle.
The Elliott-trained gelding was able to make an impressive resurgent in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan. Fury Road, Bachasson, The Worlds End, Ronald Pump, Thomas Darby, and Fury Road are the other big names that go make an appearance.
Asterion Forlonge and Envoi Allen have been listed to be among the 19 entries for the Racing Post Novice Chase on December 26.
As Gordon Elliots hopes to bag a fourth consecutive victory, Envoi Allen has been named in the 23 entries for the Neville Hotels Novice Chase
