Sadler's Wells (USA)
April 11, 1981 – April 26, 2011
Northern Dancer (CAN) x Fairy Bridge (USA), by Bold Reason (USA)
Family 5-h
April 11, 1981 – April 26, 2011
Northern Dancer (CAN) x Fairy Bridge (USA), by Bold Reason (USA)
Family 5-h
Slightly less brilliant but far more durable than his close relative Nureyev, Sadler's Wells proved a top-class racehorse. Nonetheless, it was as a sire rather than as a racer that Sadler's Wells achieved international fame. While he did not have the percentage of stakes winners to foals achieved by great earlier sires such as St. Simon and Hyperion, this was probably due at least in part to the huge books he routinely served. What he accomplished in the context of the breeding industry of his time was nothing short of incredible, and he continues to make his mark on the Thoroughbred through his sons and grandsons and through his excellent broodmare daughters.
Race record
11 starts, 6 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds, £576,500
1983:
1984:
Honors
French champion miler (1984)
Assessments
Earned a Timeform rating of 132 pounds as a 3-year-old.
Sadler's Wells was rated as the sixth-best European horse of 1984 on the International Classification.
As an individual
A beautifully balanced, lengthy bay horse with a good shoulder and a straight, strong hind leg, Safler's Wells stood 16 hands. He was a fluent mover despite habitually racing with his head carried high. He possessed tactical speed, a fine turn of foot, and great tenacity. He was slightly light on bone and could be faulted for long pasterns, traits which he has often passed to his stock.
As a stallion
Sadler's Wells led the combined English/Irish sire list 14 times (1990, 1992-2004), breaking the previous record of 13 such titles held by the 18th-century sire Highflyer. Sadler's Wells also led the French general sire list in 1994, 1994 and 1997 and led the English juvenile sire list twice. The Jockey Club credits Sadler's Wells with 1224 winners (54.2%) and 294 stakes winners (13.0%) from 2259 named foals, giving him a total of stakes winners second only to another prolific Coolmore sire, Danehill. Sadler's Wells has also been a tremendous success as a broodmare sire, leading that category multiple times in England and Ireland, France and the United States. His progeny have been well suited to European middle distances and as a group have preferred soft turf. They have generally had relaxed temperaments. Sadler's Wells is a Classic/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman dosage system.
Notable progeny
Alberto Giacometti (IRE), Alexandrova (IRE), Aristotle (IRE), Ballingarry (IRE), Barathea (IRE), Beat Hollow (GB), Black Sam Bellamy (IRE), Braashee (GB), Brian Boru (GB), Carnegie (IRE), Chief Contender (IRE), Cloudings (IRE), Commander Collins (IRE), Correggio (IRE), Daliapour (IRE), Dance Design (IRE), Darazari (IRE), Diaghilev (IRE), Doyen (IRE), Dream Well (FR), Ebadiyla (IRE), El Prado (IRE), Entrepreneur (GB), Fatherland (IRE), Fort Wood (USA), French Ballerina (IRE), French Glory (IRE), Galileo (IRE), Gossamer (GB), Greek Dance (IRE), High Chaparral (IRE), Imagine (IRE), In Command (IRE), In the Wings (GB), Intrepidity (GB), Islington (IRE), Istabraq (IRE), Johann Quatz (FR), Kayf Tara (GB), King of Kings (IRE), King's Theatre (IRE), Leggera (IRE), Linda's Lad (GB), Listen (IRE), Luna Wells (IRE), Masad (IRE), Milan (GB), Montjeu (IRE), Moonshell (IRE), Muncie (IRE), Northern Spur (IRE), Old Vic (GB), Opera House (GB), Percussionist (IRE), Perfect Soul (IRE), Playful Act (IRE), Poliglote (GB), Powerscourt (GB), Prince of Dance (IRE), Quarter Moon (IRE), Quiff (GB), Refuse to Bend (IRE), Runyon (IRE), Saddex (GB), Saddlers' Hall (IRE), Saffron Walden (FR), Salsabil (IRE), Scenic (IRE), Septimus (IRE), Sequoyah (IRE), Sholokhov (IRE), Sligo Bay (IRE), Sonus (IRE), Subtle Power (IRE), Synchronised (IRE), Trebizond (IRE), Yeats (IRE), Yesterday (IRE), Zaiyad (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Sadler's Wells was bred by Swettenham Stud and Partners, the American breeding operation of Coolmore partner Robert Sangster. He was trained by Vincent O'Brien. He entered stud at Coolmore's facility in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1985. He remained at Coolmore as a pensioner after being retired from stud duty in May 2008 and died of natural causes in April 2011.
Pedigree notes
Sadler's Wells is inbred 4x5 to six-time English leading sire Hyperion, a dual Classic winner. He is a full brother to 1996 French champion sire Fairy King, 1986 BBA Ireland-Goffs National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Tate Gallery, Irish Group III winner Fairy Gold and French stakes winner Puppet Dance.
Sadler's Wells is out of 1977 Irish champion juvenile filly Fairy Bridge (by Bold Reason), a half sister to 1980 French champion miler and excellent sire Nureyev and to multiple Grade 2 winner Number (by Nijinsky II), dam of 1989 CIGA Grand Criterium (FR-G1) winner Jade Robbery and Grade 3 winners Numerous and Chequer (all by Mr. Prospector) and second dam of three stakes winners including Irish Group 2 winner Lizard Island. Fairy Bridge is also a half sister to Bound (by Nijinsky II), dam of 2008 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) winner Archipenko (by Kingmambo) and listed stakes winner Limit (by Cox's Ridge) and second dam of four stakes winners including 2010 American champion older male Blame, and to Kilavea (by Hawaii), dam of English Group 3 winner Kiliniski (by Niniski) and second dam of three stakes winners including multiple Grade 1 winner Bienamado.
Fairy Bridge's dam Special (by Forli) is a full sister to 1972 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 1973 English champion miler Thatch and to 1974 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Lisadell, dam of three stakes winners including 1992 Smurfit National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Fatherland (by Sadler's Wells). Special is also a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner King Pellinore (by Round Table); to stakes winner Espadrille (by Damascus), dam of multiple stakes producer Pump (by Forli); to Handsewn (by Sir Ivor), dam of Irish Group 3 winner Festival Hall (by Sadler's Wells) and Grade 3 winner Hymn (by Fairy King); and to Geiger Counter (by Mr. Prospector), a useful sire. The family traces back to the great Claiborne Farm matriarch Rough Shod II.
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: August 21, 2020
Race record
11 starts, 6 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds, £576,500
1983:
- Won Panasonic Beresford Stakes (IRE-G2, 8FT, The Curragh)
1984:
- Won Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1, 8FT, The Curragh)
- Won Derrinstown Stud Stakes (IRE-G2, 10FT, Leopardstown)
- Won Coral-Eclipse Stakes (ENG-G1, 10FT, Sandown)
- Won Golden Fleece Phoenix Champion Stakes (IRE-G1, 10FT, Phoenix)
- 2nd Gladness Stakes (IRE-G3, 7FT, The Curragh)
- 2nd Prix du Jockey Club (FR-G1, 2400mT, Chantilly)
- 2nd King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (ENG-G1, 12FT, Ascot)
Honors
French champion miler (1984)
Assessments
Earned a Timeform rating of 132 pounds as a 3-year-old.
Sadler's Wells was rated as the sixth-best European horse of 1984 on the International Classification.
As an individual
A beautifully balanced, lengthy bay horse with a good shoulder and a straight, strong hind leg, Safler's Wells stood 16 hands. He was a fluent mover despite habitually racing with his head carried high. He possessed tactical speed, a fine turn of foot, and great tenacity. He was slightly light on bone and could be faulted for long pasterns, traits which he has often passed to his stock.
As a stallion
Sadler's Wells led the combined English/Irish sire list 14 times (1990, 1992-2004), breaking the previous record of 13 such titles held by the 18th-century sire Highflyer. Sadler's Wells also led the French general sire list in 1994, 1994 and 1997 and led the English juvenile sire list twice. The Jockey Club credits Sadler's Wells with 1224 winners (54.2%) and 294 stakes winners (13.0%) from 2259 named foals, giving him a total of stakes winners second only to another prolific Coolmore sire, Danehill. Sadler's Wells has also been a tremendous success as a broodmare sire, leading that category multiple times in England and Ireland, France and the United States. His progeny have been well suited to European middle distances and as a group have preferred soft turf. They have generally had relaxed temperaments. Sadler's Wells is a Classic/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman dosage system.
Notable progeny
Alberto Giacometti (IRE), Alexandrova (IRE), Aristotle (IRE), Ballingarry (IRE), Barathea (IRE), Beat Hollow (GB), Black Sam Bellamy (IRE), Braashee (GB), Brian Boru (GB), Carnegie (IRE), Chief Contender (IRE), Cloudings (IRE), Commander Collins (IRE), Correggio (IRE), Daliapour (IRE), Dance Design (IRE), Darazari (IRE), Diaghilev (IRE), Doyen (IRE), Dream Well (FR), Ebadiyla (IRE), El Prado (IRE), Entrepreneur (GB), Fatherland (IRE), Fort Wood (USA), French Ballerina (IRE), French Glory (IRE), Galileo (IRE), Gossamer (GB), Greek Dance (IRE), High Chaparral (IRE), Imagine (IRE), In Command (IRE), In the Wings (GB), Intrepidity (GB), Islington (IRE), Istabraq (IRE), Johann Quatz (FR), Kayf Tara (GB), King of Kings (IRE), King's Theatre (IRE), Leggera (IRE), Linda's Lad (GB), Listen (IRE), Luna Wells (IRE), Masad (IRE), Milan (GB), Montjeu (IRE), Moonshell (IRE), Muncie (IRE), Northern Spur (IRE), Old Vic (GB), Opera House (GB), Percussionist (IRE), Perfect Soul (IRE), Playful Act (IRE), Poliglote (GB), Powerscourt (GB), Prince of Dance (IRE), Quarter Moon (IRE), Quiff (GB), Refuse to Bend (IRE), Runyon (IRE), Saddex (GB), Saddlers' Hall (IRE), Saffron Walden (FR), Salsabil (IRE), Scenic (IRE), Septimus (IRE), Sequoyah (IRE), Sholokhov (IRE), Sligo Bay (IRE), Sonus (IRE), Subtle Power (IRE), Synchronised (IRE), Trebizond (IRE), Yeats (IRE), Yesterday (IRE), Zaiyad (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Sadler's Wells was bred by Swettenham Stud and Partners, the American breeding operation of Coolmore partner Robert Sangster. He was trained by Vincent O'Brien. He entered stud at Coolmore's facility in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1985. He remained at Coolmore as a pensioner after being retired from stud duty in May 2008 and died of natural causes in April 2011.
Pedigree notes
Sadler's Wells is inbred 4x5 to six-time English leading sire Hyperion, a dual Classic winner. He is a full brother to 1996 French champion sire Fairy King, 1986 BBA Ireland-Goffs National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Tate Gallery, Irish Group III winner Fairy Gold and French stakes winner Puppet Dance.
Sadler's Wells is out of 1977 Irish champion juvenile filly Fairy Bridge (by Bold Reason), a half sister to 1980 French champion miler and excellent sire Nureyev and to multiple Grade 2 winner Number (by Nijinsky II), dam of 1989 CIGA Grand Criterium (FR-G1) winner Jade Robbery and Grade 3 winners Numerous and Chequer (all by Mr. Prospector) and second dam of three stakes winners including Irish Group 2 winner Lizard Island. Fairy Bridge is also a half sister to Bound (by Nijinsky II), dam of 2008 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) winner Archipenko (by Kingmambo) and listed stakes winner Limit (by Cox's Ridge) and second dam of four stakes winners including 2010 American champion older male Blame, and to Kilavea (by Hawaii), dam of English Group 3 winner Kiliniski (by Niniski) and second dam of three stakes winners including multiple Grade 1 winner Bienamado.
Fairy Bridge's dam Special (by Forli) is a full sister to 1972 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 1973 English champion miler Thatch and to 1974 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Lisadell, dam of three stakes winners including 1992 Smurfit National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Fatherland (by Sadler's Wells). Special is also a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner King Pellinore (by Round Table); to stakes winner Espadrille (by Damascus), dam of multiple stakes producer Pump (by Forli); to Handsewn (by Sir Ivor), dam of Irish Group 3 winner Festival Hall (by Sadler's Wells) and Grade 3 winner Hymn (by Fairy King); and to Geiger Counter (by Mr. Prospector), a useful sire. The family traces back to the great Claiborne Farm matriarch Rough Shod II.
Books and media
- Sadler's Wells is profiled in Part Five of Edward Bowen's Dynasties: Great Thoroughbred Stallions (2000, Eclipse Press).
- Sadler's Wells is one of 75 stallions profiled in Tony Morris' Thoroughbred Stallions (1990, The Crowood Press).
- Sadler's Wells is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
Fun facts
- Sadler's Wells is named after a famous theater in London.
- In 1988, Sadler's Wells was the sire of both the dead-heat winners of the Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1), Prince of Dance and Scenic.
- Progeny of Sadler's Wells swept the first three places in the 1999 Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) and the 2001 Vodafone Oaks (ENG-G1).
- Sadler's Wells became the first stallion in Thoroughbred history to have sired 200 stakes winners when his son Morozov won the Prix du Lys (FR-G3) on June 23, 2002.
Last updated: August 21, 2020