Authorized Latest Stallion Sold to Turkish Jockey Club

Vodafone Epsom Derby (G1) hero Authorized—the source of dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll—is set to become the latest high-profile sire sold to Turkey, several sources have confirmed to the Racing Post.

The purchase of the 15-year-old son of Montjeu continues the Turkish Jockey Club's recent spending spree on new additions to its roster for 2020 that has already included Bodemeister and Super Saver  from North America and Myboycharlie from France.

Authorized, who has stood at Haras du Logis in Normandy for the past six seasons, arguably ranks as Turkey's most significant stallion signing from Europe yet.

The bay, bred by leading jockey Mick Kinane in partnership with Marengo Investments and Knighton House, was a 95,000 guineas (US$180,006) Tattersalls December foal purchase by Tony Nerses and entered training with Peter Chapple-Hyam for owners Imad Al Sagar and Saleh Al Homaizi.

Authorized broke his maiden in the Racing Post Trophy (G1) on his second start at 2 and was an impressive winner of the Totesport.com Dante Stakes (G2) on his debut at 3. That effort ensured he started a warm favorite for the Derby and he made little fuss in winning by five lengths at Epsom, becoming Frankie Dettori's first successful ride in the classic on his 15th attempt.

He later finished second in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) and triumphed over Dylan Thomas, Notnowcato, and Duke of Marmalade in a star-studded Juddmonte International (G1).

Authorized originally stood as a flat stallion at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket (though he spent his second season at Kildangan in County Kildare), and compiled a respectable roll of honor with his progeny in that sphere. Most notably it includes the redoubtable multiple Australian group 1 hero Hartnell, who was bred in Britain, and the elite-winning fillies Ambivalent and Seal of Approval.

His southern hemisphere offspring conceived on shuttling duty to Australia brought about two further group 1 winners in Complacent and Pounamu.

Authorized later found more fame as a jumps sire through the likes of Nichols Canyon, Sternrubin, Zamdy Man, and most notably Tiger Roll, a flat cast-off by Godolphin who was this year sent out by Gordon Elliott to become the first horse since Red Rum to win the Aintree spectacular on more than one occasion.

It was widely known that Darley had turned down many offers from National Hunt studs in Britain and Ireland over the years to purchase Authorized, who covered 87 mares at Logis this year at a fee of €12,000.

Authorized was also a highly prized commodity in Turkey, though, where his runners included local celebrities Toruk Macto and Bici Bici.

The Turkish Jockey Club has reportedly been on a recruitment drive for fresh stallion talent to replace some of its recent members who are either old or have died, its financial firepower boosted by tax revenues on domestic betting to improve the breed.

The association's stallions stand at five stations across Turkey and often rotate between them to give the country's breeders access to a wider range of names.