Danzig’s Group 1 classic winner Astronomer Royal will relocate to Eliza Park this spring.  

A syndicate of breeders has purchased a significant interest in the 2007 French 2000 Guineas winner who has shuttled to Blue Gum Farm for the last two years.

“The syndicate has been searching for a well credentialed son of Danzig for some time,” Eliza Park CEO Cameron Croucher explained.  “Astronomer Royal’s weanlings sold so well this year, they’re convinced they’ve found the right horse.”

At the Easter Broodmare Sale last year, mares in foal to Astronomer Royal sold for $240,000 and $200,000 and buyers have clearly liked the result with weanlings fetching as high as $90,000 – over 10 times service fee – in 2011.

Astronomer Royal has certainly set the tongues wagging with leading agent Paul Guy declaring: “They’re just lovely horses and he’s a really exciting horse for Victoria.”

Damon Gabbedy of Belmont Bloodstock concurs: “I’m very impressed by the Astronomer Royal’s overall … they are a lovely bunch.”

Mark Player, who purchased the $90,000 colt from Chelsey Cry at the recent Great Southern, was equally enthusiastic: “I thought he was the best colt on the ground. A very attractive colt with very good presence.”

The Champion 3YO Male Miler of France, Astronomer Royal won the French 2000 Guineas at Lonchamp, a distinction he shares with a vast array of influential sires, including Shamardal.

Also, Astronomer Royal finished close up in the time honoured G1 St James’ Palace Stakes behind Excellent Art and Duke of Marmalade and ran Europe’s best sprinters to less than a length (after being held up at a vital stage) in the G1 July Cup.

Out of the stakes winning Easy Goer mare, Sheepscot (who has also produced the G2 winner Navesink River), Astronomer Royal boasts a tremendous black type family, as would befit a son of the legendary Danzig (197 stakes winners).

Astronomer Royal will stand the 2011 season at a fee of $8,800.