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| Staff Writer |
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Bradsell, the triple Group One-winning sprinter, is set to retire to stud after his final race at the Breeders' Cup. The 4YO son of Tasleet will stand at the National Stud in Newmarket for the 2025 breeding season, following a stellar career on the track.
Bursting onto the scene with a nine-length victory at York in May 2022, Bradsell quickly established himself as a top-class performer. Trained by Archie Watson, he followed up with a win in the Gr.2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot as a 2YO. His progression continued at three, clinching his first Group One in the King's Stand Stakes at the royal meeting, defeating the mighty Highfield Princess under regular partner Hollie Doyle.
This season has seen Bradsell reach new heights, with two brilliant top-level victories in the Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes and Gr.1 Flying Five Stakes. His consistency at the highest level has been remarkable, with a listed race win at Deauville and a valiant second in the Prix de l'Abbaye rounding out an exceptional campaign.
Bred by Deborah O'Brien out of the listed-winning Archipenko mare Russian Punch, Bradsell's journey to stardom began in the sales ring. Purchased for 12,000 guineas (US$17,435) at the 2021 Tattersalls Somerville Sale, he later changed hands for £47,000 (US$61,423) at the 2022 Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale.
Previous winners of the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint include Glass Slippers (2020), who also won the Flying Five Stakes, and Golden Pal (2021), a dual Breeders' Cup winner.
Anna Kerr, CEO of the National Stud, said: "We're delighted to welcome Bradsell and stand him in partnership with Sheikh Nasser's Victorious Racing. He's the standout sprinter of recent years, with a great physical. We're looking forward to presenting him to breeders at the December sales."
Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Victorious Racing, added: "Bradsell has been an exceptional flagbearer for Sheikh Nasser, winning every top sprint race and showing his incredible toughness, tenacity, and sheer will to win. The sheikh is looking forward to supporting him with mares at stud and in the sales ring in the future."
Trainer Archie Watson enthused: "Bradsell has so much speed, so much class, and is so tough. He's a pleasure to do anything with and is just so good over five furlongs. If he puts an ounce of that into his stock, I'm looking forward to training them."
As Bradsell prepares for his final race at Del Mar on November 2, all eyes will be on this exceptional sprinter aiming to bow out in style. His stud fee will be announced following the Breeders' Cup, with breeders eagerly anticipating the chance to send their mares to this outstanding talent in 2025.