Irish Derby Winner Sovereign to Stand in Argentina

Sovereign , the surprise winner of the Irish Derby (G1) in 2019 for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners, has been retired from racing and will stand at Haras El Mallin in Argentina, the South American publication Turf Diario has reported. 

The son of Galileo had his most famous moment in the Curragh classic, although he was also second to Enable  in the following year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) and group-placed a further five times overall. 

His all-the-way victory at 33-1 in the Irish Derby came at the expense of Investec Derby (G1) hero Anthony Van Dyck , the Epsom runner-up Madhmoon , and subsequent Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) scorer Broome . 

Sovereign shelved his maiden tag at the third attempt at 2 when winning by 14 lengths at Galway, before a fourth to Japan  in the Beresford Stakes (G2) and then a third in the Thetote.com Eyrefield Stakes (G3).

He was also second and third behind Broome in the P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes (G3) and Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (G3) before a 10th-placed finish at Epsom.

He made his sole start for Chad Brown in the United States after five more starts for O'Brien following his Irish Derby success, finishing down the field in the Man o' War Stakes (G1T). 

Stud owner Antonio Bullrich said: "I feel we are bringing the same as Galileo, I wanted one of his sons but he had to be one that won at two and won a classic, but I didn't think we could get an Irish Derby winner. I'm delighted that we were able to buy Sovereign.

"Our stud is Haras la Leyenda but we are going to syndicate him and he's going to have very strong support, which he deserves."

Sovereign is the fifth foal out of Devoted To You, a winning daughter of Danehill Dancer who was second to Lillie Langtry in the Debutante Stakes (G2) as well as placing in the Lodge Park Stud E.B.F. Park Express Stakes (G3) at 3. 

He is a full brother to three winners including Bahrain Trophy runner-up Dawn Rising and Triplicate, who was second in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle for Joseph O'Brien in 2018. 

Devoted To You is in turn out of Alleged Devotion, an Alleged half sister to Energizer Epsom Oaks (G1) and Budweiser Irish Derby heroine Balanchine as well as Sagitta Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner and dual Derby-placed Romanov.