Mating Plans 2021

Following the Racing Post’s publication of selected highlights of our mating plans this year, we thought we would give you the entire list with insights from Andrew Black into why some of the stallions were chosen for certain mares.

Let’s start with the decision to send two queens of the Chasemore Farm broodmare band to Camelot. Both Eartha Kitt, the Listed-winning daughter of Pivotal and matriarch Ceiling Kitty, and Illaunmore, the Listed-placed daughter of Shamardal and Royal Ascot third Illaunglass, are making the trip to Coolmore for a liaison with the Triple Classic-winning son of Montjeu.

“Two of our very best speedy types are going to Camelot,” says Andrew. “We believe that Camelot is classy but needs to be undercut by speed, and also needs some level of outcross.

“With Illaunmore we were split between Camelot and Kodiac, both of whom nick well with Shamardal. We saw a similarity between Illaunmore and Question Times [the dam of Latrobe and Pink Dogwood, top-class siblings by Camelot] and that was compelling enough.

“Eartha would produce a close relation to Arthur Kitt [the Chesham Stakes-winning son of Camelot and Ceiling Kitty], and in my opinion she is right in the Camelot sweet spot.”

Another stallion receiving a big vote of confidence from Chasemore Farm this year is Nunnery Stud new recruit Mohaather. Last year's Sussex Stakes victor has been chosen for the operation’s mares Mutatis Mutandis, a Listed-winning and Grade 1-placed daughter of Mastercraftsman, and Wowcha, a winning Zoffany half-sister to Group 1 hero The Wow Signal.

“Those two nice mares go to Mohaather, who we liked when we saw him at Shadwell,” says Andrew.

Another pair of Chasemore Farm mares are crossing the English Channel for their covers in 2021. Clotilde, a Listed-placed daughter of Dubawi, is booked into European champion Almanzor at Haras d’Etreham and Ursulina, a Listed-placed Kodiac half-sister to Illaunglass, is heading to Haras de Colleville for her first cover - which will be from last year’s leading French-based freshman sire Goken.

“Ursulina (a maiden) and Clotilde are both dry, so we’re happy to travel them,” says Andrew. “Almost all of our in-foal mares are staying in the UK.

“We think Goken has had a really interesting first season and in time might become a top-flight stallion. I’d use him more if I had the right mares. Almanzor for Clotilde is a bit speculative but on limited data it feels about right.”

The full Chasemore Farm mating plans for 2021 are: