American Pharoah won't shuttle to Australia

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, currently standing his first season at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., will not shuttle to Australia for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.

International power Coolmore maintains a farm in the Hunter Valley, just north of Sydney in New South Wales, and recently released the stud fees for 12 stallions there for the Australian breeding season that begins in September. The only Ashford shuttle stallion listed on that roster is multiple Group 1 winner Declaration of War, whose first North American foals are arriving this spring after he started his career at Coolmore’s Irish headquarters in 2014. He will stand alongside leading Australian sire Fastnet Rock, who tops the roster with a private fee, and Grade/Group 1 winners Adelaide, Choisir, Excelebration, No Nay Never, Pierro, Pride of Dubai, So You Think, Starspangledbanner, and Vancouver.

Coolmore’s Tom Magnier also later confirmed to Australia’s At The Track that the decision was made not to shuttle American Pharoah this year.

American Pharoah has participated in more than 100 breeding sessions since Kentucky farms officially opened their breeding sheds in February, and his fertility is reported to be around 80 percent. His outstanding first book includes Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady; championship and/or classic producers Arch’s Gal Edith, Charming, Ivanavinalot, Mo Chuisle, and Playa Maya; champions Rags to Riches, Conquest Harlanate, and Judy the Beauty; Grade 1 producer Untouched Talent; Grade 1 winners Awesome Maria and Joyful Victory; and the unbeaten Peppers Pride.