Paco Boy will shuttle to Waikato Stud in 2011 after the Matamata-based operation purchased an interest in the triple Group 1 winner from Highclere Stud.

Paco Boy (5h Desert Style — Tappen Zee by Sandhurst Prince) won his maiden at Newbury in September 2007 and trained on for Group 1 victories in the 2008 Prix de la Forêt at Longchamp, 2009 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and the 2010 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Paco Boy (Ire) was named Champion Older Miler in Great Britain in 2009 and, apart from his G1 triumphs, he also won the G2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, G2 Sandown Mile (twice) and G2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

He bowed out with a fourth placing behind Goldikova in this month’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs.  He was also runner-up to the champion mare in this year’s Prix de la Forêt and Queen Anne Stakes.

“We are thrilled to have purchased an interest in Paco Boy as we regard him as one of the best international performers to be retiring to stud in New Zealand for some years,” Waikato owner Garry Chittick said.  “We love the Green Desert line and feel with his tremendous good looks he is exactly what we have been looking for our broodmare band.”

Paco Boy (Ire) was sold for 30,000 guineas (AUD 76,460) at the Doncaster Bloodstock 2YO Sale in April 2007.  He is a three-quarter brother to Ascot and Newmarket stakes winner Cape Town (Desert Style).

Trained throughout his career by Richard Hannon, Paco Boy started 23 times for 11 wins and 5 placing for earning over 1.07 million pounds (AUD 2.59 million).

Paco Boy will stand the northern hemisphere season at Highclere Stud for a service fee of 8,500 pounds (AUD 20,630).

Highclere Stud’s John Warren said there had been fierce competition to stand Paco Boy in Europe from a number of established studs.

“He is a grandson of the amazing sire of sires Green Desert and we count ourselves lucky to be in the position to stand what is one of the toughest, most prolific milers to retire to stud in living memory,” Warren said last month.

When Highclere clinched the deal, Hannon told Warren, “If he produces stock that look like himself, I will be buying as many as I can get my hands on.”

Paco Boy is one of five Group 1 winners by champion Green Desert sprinter Desert Style.  The sireline is gaining increasing influence thanks to Cape Cross, Invincible Spirit and Oasis Dream.