Wednesday 30 January 2002
has taken up stallion duties alongside Daylami and Sinndar at the Aga Khan’s Irish base Gilltown. He will stand the 2002 season at 15,000 euros.
Unbeaten in three runs as a three year old, including the Listed Heron Stakes, Kalanisi was kept in training at four. This proved a wise decision as the son of Doyoun improved still further to become Cartier and Eclipse Awards Older Horse Of The Year thanks to some thrilling victories culminating in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at the end of the year.
After winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, he lost nothing in defeat when twice runner up to Giant’s Causeway in two of the years most thrilling duels in the Coral Eclipse Stakes and the Juddmonte International Stakes.
Kalanisi cruised up to beat a quality field of seven individual Group I winners in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, including Montjeu, Slickly and Love Divine. He then went one better when coming from what looked like an impossible position round the final turn to an impressive victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, this time beating eight individual Group I winners, including Fantastic Light and Manndar.
His amazing performance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf prompted the following praise from his trainer Sir Michael Stoute: “Kalanisi has never had the credit he deserves, but today he’s one of the best horses in the world. He has a great temperament for the job.”
Kalanisi’s book of mares for his first season at stud includes Group I winner Sought Out and Moyglare Stud Stakes runner up Heed My Warning. Half-Hitch, a daughter of Champion two year old filly and multiple Group I winner Marling is also booked to Kalanisi, as are Penza (a half sister to Italian Derby winner White Muzzle), Questabelle (a half sister to Prix de l’Opera winner Stagecraft), Sidelined (a half sister to King George winner Belmez) and Lady Ella (an own sister to Champion older horse and multiple Group I winner Almaarad).
