Van Nistelrooy stays in Argentina

Former Coolmore shuttler Van Nistelrooy will not be return to Ashford Stud in Kentucky for the 2012 season.  The son of Storm Cat will instead remain at his southern hemisphere home of Haras Firmamento in Argentina.

Van Nistelrooy has been based at Coolomore’s Kentucky base since his retirement from racing in 2004.  He cost Susan Magnier $6.40 million as a yearling and won three races including the G2 Futurity Stakes in Ireland.

He sired five stakes winners in his first northern crop headed by Set Play and Strike The Deal.

Van Nistelrooy shuttled to New Zealand for four years averaging 80 mares a season until 2006.  He has sired 75 winners to date headed by G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Boundless.

Van Nistelrooy stood for a $25,000 fee at Ashford Stud in 2008 but that had declined to $5,000 earlier this year.