Conservatorium gave Coolmore sire Royal Academy another retirement present in the Listed Manihi Classic at Morphettville on Saturday.

Conservatorium (3g Royal Academy – Belong To Madam by Belong To Me) was always in the leading division and fought off Dr Doute’s (Redoute’s Choice) and Mother’s Milk (Savabeel) in a driving finish.  

“He’s always shown us plenty of ability,” trainer Gary Kennewell said.  “He’s still very raw and is going to be a better horse when ridden from behind.”

Conservatorium had won three of his first four starts at Morphettville (2) and Balaklava in the spring.  His only loss was at the deep end of a strong Caulfield sprint in September.

Kennewell will set him for the G3 McKay Stakes and with a view to the G1 Goodwood in May.  The gelding was a $50,000 buy for stable client Santo Guagliardo out of the Emerald Thoroughbred draft at the 2009 Gold Coast Magic Millions.

Now aged 23, Royal Academy has remained at Coolmore’s Australian base since serving his last northern book in 2007.  He was pensioned after covering just 16 mares in 2009.

Royal Academy (Nijinsky) won the Breeders’ Cup Mile and July Cup in England and has carved out a truly remarkable career at stud.  He has sired 158 individual stakes winners and they have won 301 stakes races in 16 countries.

The sireline is assured with his son Bel Esprit emerging as Victoria’s best stallion prospect since Encosta de Lago and Testa Rossa were transferred to the Hunter Valley.