Librettist foals living up to expectations

With more than 35 foals now on the ground, the early reports on Librettist’s first crop are music to our ears

“Smashing first foal, very strong”, “Very nice, strong, compact foal”, “Lovely big colt, very pleased with him”, “Built like an outhouse. Gorgeous!”

These are just a few of the upbeat reports we’ve received from breeders who used Librettist in his first season at Dalham Hall Stud. But don’t just take our word for it. Pictured here is a recent arrival at Gazeley Stud. This Librettist filly is out of the Marju mare My Way and was born on 3 February,

Listed-placed Duchcov has already bred precocious two-year-old winner Rescue Me (by Red Ransom), who was a winner on her first start at Kempton last season. Her foal, who was born at Templeton Stud on 26 February, is described as “a good strong colt”.

Six-year-old French Fern’s first foal has delighted her breeder Duncan McGregor, who proclaims himself very happy with his bay filly at Ireland’s Newtown Lodge Stud.

Tattersalls Breeders Stakes heroine Affair Of State clearly passes on her winning ways to her offspring with no fewer than nine winners to her name to date, including Nordic Affair (Halling), Gun Salute (Mark Of Esteem) and Bibury Flyer. Stephen Crown’s mare is another boarder at Templeton and produced a Librettist filly on 8 February.

Ros Norman of Dachel Stud near Bury St Edmunds is thrilled with Giusina Mia’s colt, whom we’ve already heard colourfully described by Ros as “built like an outhouse. Gorgeous.” He’s a half-brother to Tia Mia, who won on her debut at two and gained black type when runner-up in the Marygate Stakes on her second start in Dachel Stud’s purple and white silks.