BY BLOODSTOCK WORLD STAFF – RACING POST

Zoffany has been retired to stand at his owners’ Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Zoffany won five of his seven starts at two including the Listed Golden Fleece Stakes, the Group 3 Tyros Stakes and the Phoenix Stakes, in which he beat Glor Na Mara and Strong Suit.

At three this year he failed to win, but proved he was among the best of his age over 1m with a head second to Mutual Trust in the Prix Jean Prat and by giving unbeaten superstar Frankel his biggest fright when just three quarters of a length behind him in second in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Zoffany is by leading sire Dansili, whose best progeny this year included Matron Stakes winner Emulous, leading sprinter Bated Breath and speedy juveniles Fire Lily and Requinto.

He is out of the winning Machiavellian mare Tyranny, a half-sister to Grade 2 scorer Spotlight out of Group 3 Prix de la Nonette winner Dust Dancer.

Coolmore’s John Magnier paid 220,000gns for Zoffany at Book 1 of the 2009 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

“Zoffany was a really smart two-year-old by a very good sire in Dansili,” said Coolmore’s Eddie Fitzpatrick. “He’s also a very well-made horse with great movement, so we think he has a lot of appeal.”