MONSUN FOR THE FUTURE

Gestut Schlenderhan’s great stallion Monsun died at the beginning of September aged twenty two. In the week following the annoucement of his death his progeny continued, as usual, to show their remarkable quality. The Monsun fillies Pirika and Yellow And Green were second and fourth in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on September 16, Tidespring was second in the Group 3 Deutsches St Leger the same day and then on September 13 Monsun’s grand daughter Wild Coco, a Shirocco filly, won the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster with the Monsun filly Estimate third. On September 15 Monsun had another stakes winner as a broodmare sire when Sortilege, by Tiger Hill out of the Monsun mare Sahel, won a Listed race at Strasbourg.

Monsun’s latest three year old crops, those born in 2007, 2008 and 2009 included a total of 164 foals. Of these 13 have achieved a rating of 110 or higher, (7.9%) and 46 are rated 95 or higher (28%). Only Galileo among current European stallion can begin to match these figures for producing top horses and the 28% rated higher than 95 puts Monsun into a category of his own. His last four crops are more than likely to make their own mark.

Monsun has 37 two year olds who include the filly Silasol, an impressive winner at Longchamp on September 9, and the colt Protectionist who won on his debut in Hannover the same day; as well as the John Gosden trained colt Excess Knowledge, a winner on his deubt and second in a Listed race in August. There are 42 yearlings by Monsun, twelve foals and then the mares who were covered this year. The Haras de Saint Pair has three yearling colts by Monsun out of Anna Pavlova, Celebre Vadala and San Sicharia, and a filly foal out of Via Milano.