Animal Kingdom arrives in Australia, first mares revealed

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby and 2013 Dubai World Cup, is in quarantine in Australia as he prepares for his debut season at Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales.

The 5-year-old son of Leroidesanimaux left for Australia on Sunday, the Sydney Morning Herald reports, after more than a month in quarantine in England, beginning June 20. He will spend another two weeks in quarantine on the outskirts of Sydney before arriving at Arrowfield Stud.

Animal Kingdom will stand for an advertised fee of $34,424 ($38,500 Australian) during his first Southern Hemisphere season. He will stand the 2014 Northern Hemisphere season at Darley’s Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Ky., after Sheikh Mohammed al- Maktoum purchased an interest in the horse following his Dubai World Cup victory.

A handful of mares that will comprise Animal Kingdom’s initial book at Arrowfield have been revealed by the Morning Herald and co-owner Team Valor International. The Southern Hemisphere breeding season begins in September.

- Miss Finland, a 10-year-old Redoute’s Choice mare, who was Australia’s champion 2-year-old filly in 2006, and followed up as champion 3-year-old filly in 2007. The most lucrative of her five Group 1 victories came in the $2,691,273 ($3-million Australian) Golden Slipper Stakes, the country’s premier race for 2-year-olds. She is the dam of four foals, none of which have raced.

- Alinghi, Australia’s champion 2-year old filly in 2004 and champion 3-year-old filly in 2005. The 12-year-old Encosta de Lago mare was a four-time Group 1 winner, among her ten career stakes wins, for earnings of $2,692,858. In addition to her success in Australia, Alinghi also won the Grade 3 Ballston Spa Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Saratoga. She is the dam of one winner from two foals to race.

- Weekend Beauty, a 14-year-old Helissio mare, who is the dam of 2008 Australian Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler. A dam of two winners from three foals to start, the unraced mare has also produced Talaq Dancer, who is the dam of Australian Group 3 winner Lucky Hussler.

- Ribe, a Group 2-winning Danehill mare, who is the dam of Australian Group 1 winner Reaan. The 14-year-old mare won three of 16 starts during her racing career for earnings of $258,921, highlighted by a win in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Oaks. She is the dam of five winners from as many foals to race.

- Victory Party, a 7-year-old Yankee Victor mare from Team Valor’s Australian broodmare band. She is a half-sister to champion Beholder and Grade 1 winner Into Mischief, who has developed into a standout second-crop sire. The unraced mare has produced two foals, with the oldest being a 2-year-old of 2013.

Arrowfield will host its stallion show from Aug. 22 to 25, with the stallions, including Animal Kingdom, parading each morning and available for inspection throughout the four days.