UK
Racing Post have reported Bookmaker RACEBETS have installed Blue Gum Farm's
Canford Cliffs (IRE) the early 2-1 favourite in the market for champion
first-season sire by number of winners in Britain and Ireland for 2015.
A Royal Ascot hero three years running at two, three and four, Canford Cliffs
is based at Coolmore in the Northern Hemisphere.
Canford Cliffs is closely followed by top sprinter Dream Ahead (USA) at 5-2,
while Poet's Voice (GB) and Zoffany (IRE) are both currently available at 10-3.
All three horses have been regular shuttlers to Australia, Dream Ahead standing
at Emirates Park, Poet's Voice at Darley and Zoffany at Coolmore.
"It's always difficult to know what to expect from first-season stallions but
it's reasonable to assume they might throw horses similar in type to
themselves, and it is for that reason that Canford Cliffs heads the betting,"
said RaceBets spokesman Joseph Burke.
"Dream Ahead was the second highest rated, courtesy of Group 1 wins at two and
three, and he is next in at 5-2.
"Keeneland Phoenix Stakes winner Zoffany, who also chased home Frankel in
the St. James's Palace Stakes at three, is the joint-third favourite at 7-2.
Sharing that position is Poet's Voice and it's quite obvious the judges have
high expectations for the son of Dubawi given his yearling averages and medians
surpassed any of his opposition here.
"While there are fewer individual stallions competing for the title of leading
first-season sire this year, it is nevertheless extremely competitive and whets
the appetite for the Flat season."
Canford Cliffs, Dream Ahead, Poet's Voice and Zoffany all have their first
yearlings selling at our sales this year and will have runners here in the
spring.