Leading Light to Stand 2022 Season at Dunraven Stud

Leading Light , a classic-winning son of Montjeu  and promising young National Hunt sire, has been purchased by Dunraven Stud from Coolmore and will stand in South Wales for the 2022 breeding season. 

Leading Light got off the mark on his second start at 2 for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners, going on to win the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes (G3) and Queen's Vase (G3) at Royal Ascot at 3.

He then beat Talent  by a length and a quarter in the Ladbrokes St. Leger (G1) at Doncaster to extend his winning sequence to five, before finishing mid-division behind Treve  in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). 

Leading Light returned at 4 to win the Coolmore Vintage Crop Stakes (G3) on his reappearance and followed that up with another successful raid on Royal Ascot, digging deep to deny Missunited  in the Gold Cup (G1).

The bay also won the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger Trial (G3) before finishing second to Brown Panther  in the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger (G1) itself. He signed off his hugely successful career by finishing seventh in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2) on Champions Day.

Bred by Lynch-Bages and a 520,000 guineas (US$845,700) purchase by Demi O'Byrne from Glenvale Stud at the 2011 Tattersalls Book 1, Leading Light was retired to Grange Stud for the 2015 season at a fee of €4,500. 

His first crop of 4-year-olds include recent Punchestown handicap hurdle winner Christmas Jumper and dual hurdles scorer Light Brigade and Limestone Rock. He also has a large number of 3- and 4-year-olds coming on stream as well.

David Brace OBE, owner of Dunraven Stud, said: "I've always been a huge fan of Montjeu, both on the racecourse and as a sire, and once I was alerted to the possibility that Leading Light might be available for purchase, I knew I had to act quickly.

"This was a rare opportunity to purchase a top-class stallion who is already, from his early crops, producing winners who look likely to become black-type performers.

"I've a great relationship with the team at Coolmore and once again I must thank them for this opportunity. I've been greatly encouraged by the reports from trainers and agents as to his progeny and I really believe that he will produce many top-class racehorses in the coming few years."

He continued: "He was a tough and sound racehorse, had the quality to win twice in group 1 company, including a Classic, was by one of the outstanding stallions of his generation and also has the looks to go with it—what more could you want in a stallion?

"With his arrival, Ask and Mountain High have been relocated. I'm delighted that Ask has been purchased to stand at Stuart Ross' Willow Wood Stud in Cheshire in a deal brokered by new online auction house ThoroughBid, whilst Mountain High will remain locally."

Leading Light is the sixth foal out of the Gone West mare Dance Parade, winner of the Queen Mary Stakes (G3) and Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Stakes (G3), and a full brother to Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle winner John Constable, among seven winners. 

He will stand for a fee of £2,500 (US$3,420), although discounts will be available for established clients, and to black-type and multiple mares. The Bridgend-based stud plans to hold an inspection before Christmas to allow existing and potential customers to view Leading Light.