Two exciting new additions to Darley’s stallion roster in Japan

Brilliant Derby winner Adayar and fellow King George hero Hukum to join the roster in 2024

Adayar, the outstanding Derby winner who went on to become the first since his grandsire Galileo to win the King George in the same year, will stand at Darley in Japan in 2024.

Joining him on the Japanese roster and as previously publicised, is another King George winner in Hukum, a full brother to the brilliant Baaeed. 

Adayar, the imposing son of Frankel broke his maiden at two by no fewer than nine lengths, before reappearing at three with a close second in the Listed Classic Trial at Sandown. 

Making the frame in another Derby Trial the following month, Adayar earned himself a tilt at one of the most prestigious races in the world, the G1 Epsom Derby.

Despite being drawn from an unfavourable stall, Charlie Appleby’s charge soon took up the running when asked to quicken and stormed to a four-and-a-half-length victory, becoming only the second horse in the Godolphin colours to take the Blue Riband. He was also the first Derby winner sired by Frankel.

Adayar returned to the racecourse, this time at Ascot, in July of his three-year-old campaign and added his name to the history books when powering to another wide margin victory in the G1 King George. 

In completing the double, he added his name to an illustrious list that includes Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Shergar, Nashwan, Generous, Lammtarra and the aforementioned Galileo.

Adayar added further Black Type to his record at four, finishing a close second in the G1 Champion Stakes and won the G3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Newmarket earlier this year.

Adayar becomes the best son of Frankel to retire to Japan and he is out of Irish 1,000 Guineas second Anna Salai. She is a half-sister to the dam of French Champion and sire National Defense.

Also retiring to Darley in Japan is the brilliant multiple G1 winner and brother to a multiple Champion, Hukum. 

The Shadwell homebred was progressive in each and every season, winning nine Stakes races including two G1s in the King George at Ascot and Coronation Cup at Epsom. 

He is a full brother to elite Champion miler Baaeed and a direct descendent of Height Of Fashion, dam of greats Nashwan and Nayef.

 

Harry Sweeney, President of Darley in Japan said, “We are really excited to be able to stand two brilliant stallions in Japan, Derby winner Adayar by Europe’s leading stallion Frankel, and King George winner Hukum by Sea The Stars. We hope that these excellent bloodlines will not only succeed in Japan, but also spread to Europe and the rest of the world. We look forward to welcoming you to view these stallions.”

 

Fees for Adayar and Hukum will be announced at a later date.