Ekraar and Bachelor Duke have remained in New Zealand and will not be returning to Europe for the northern hemisphere season this year.

A G1 winner of the Gran Premio del Jockey Club, Ekraar is by Red Ransom out of Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Sacahuista.

Ekraar (Red Ransom) originally shuttled from Italy to Stoney Bridge Stud.  The Shadwell Estates owned stallion is the sire of recent G1 Captain Cook Stakes winner Ekstreme.

Bachelor Duke (Miswaki) was due back at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland but will remain at the Oaks Stud.  The Irish 2000 Guineas winner was New Zealand’s leading first-season sire in 2007-08 where his leading gallopers have been the G2 performers Keyora and Prince Of Wales.

The best of Bachelor Duke’s Irish bred progeny include Listed Silver Flash Stakes winner Luminous Eyes who sold for US $525,000 at last year’s Keeneland November Sale.