Byron's first foal arrives

Royal Rival produces a bay colt on 8 January

The first reported foal by Darley stallion Byron, who will be standing at Dalham Hall Stud for the 2008 season, has arrived.

Out of the Marju mare Royal Rival, the colt was described by his breeder Sandro Garavelli as, “a good foal with plenty of bone”, following his arrival on the morning of 8 January. Royal Rival, who has a 2007 foal by Xaar, is a three-parts sister to Stakes-winning filly Counterplot and has two Stakes-producing half-sisters in Strategic Tactics and Love Contest.

Byron, who hails from an outstanding sire-producing family with 13 sires of G1 winners under his first three dams, covered the best book of any first-season stallion within his fee range whilst at Kildangan last year. Among the mares to have visited him in 2007 are three-time G1 winner and Champion three-year-old Intrepidity, Tatora – dam of last year’s G2 Lennox Stakes winner Tariq, fellow G2 producer Tudor Loom and Maria Isabella, dam of G3 winner Utrecht.

His fee for 2008 is £4,000 October 1st Special live foal. Should you wish to arrange to see Byron at Dalham Hall Stud, please contact our Nominations team on +44 1638 730070.