With an extraordinary pedigree and good looks, King’s Legacy was an obvious choice when James Harron went shopping for a stallion prospect at the yearling sales.
Buying on behalf of a colts partnership, Harron had to stretch to $1.4 million to secure the close relation to top stallion Not A Single Doubt.
The youngster fit Harron’s strict criteria – he had athleticism and bloodlines to match – but the bloodstock manager wasn’t the only one keen to secure him.
“We’re looking first and foremost for physically good looking colts that we feel can run, because they’ve got to be able to run to be stallions,” Harron said.
“The second part of that is pedigree and being a Redoute’s Choice and a three-quarter brother to Not A Single Doubt, he was a bit of a dream package.
“We had to be very strong on him in the ring but he was the one we wanted to take home and fortunately it has turned out the right way.”
King’s Legacy has already secured his future at stud with Coolmore purchasing a stake after his first Group One win in the Sires’ Produce Stakes.
He subsequently added the Champagne Stakes to his resume and will chase his first major as a three-year-old in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
“He’s the only son of Redoute’s Choice to have two Group Ones on his CV as a two-year-old colt, believe it or not,” Harron said.
“Coolmore invested into him between the Sires’ and Champagne and we got to share the Champagne one together.
“Hopefully we can share the Guineas one as well.”
King’s Legacy turned in an outstanding Guineas trial with a closing third in the Golden Rose behind Saturday’s race favourite Ole Kirk.
Hugh Bowman has headed to Melbourne early to stick with him and the reports from trainers Peter and Paul Snowden have been positive.
“Peter and Paul thought after the Golden Rose run that he was still on the up,” Harron said.
“I think he is really primed for the mile.
“We’ve got a slightly tricky draw (12), which isn’t ideal but Hugh Bowman has gone down to ride him and he knows the horse inside out.
“We’re just going to have to put our faith in Hughie and hope for the best.”