Charyn to Shuttle to Cambridge Stud in New Zealand

Timeform World champion miler Charyn (IRE) will stand his first Southern-hemisphere season this year at New Zealand's world-renowned Cambridge Stud. Charyn (Dark Angel (IRE)) was crowned European champion older horse of 2024 after creating history as the first to complete the prestigious treble of the Queen Anne Stakes (G1), Prix Jacques le Marois (G1), and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1). "The acquisition of Charyn for our stallion roster is the beginning of another exciting chapter for the stud and a very important relationship with Charyn's owner, Nurlan Bizakov," Cambridge Stud owner Sir Brendan Lindsay said. "His status as the highest-rated miler in the world of his year stamps him as an elite performer, and we are excited to show him to the New Zealand industry." Charyn will stand for a fee of $35,000 + GST in 2026, and he is currently covering a second Northern-Hemisphere book in Normandy for the Kazakhstan-born businessman. Bizakov named his French operation Sumbe after his birthplace, and it consists of studs formerly known as Haras de Montfort et Preaux and the historic Haras du Mezeray. Charyn is the highest earner by Dark Angel, a champion sire in Great Britain and Ireland whose influence is already being felt in Australasia through his successful sire son Harry Angel (IRE). On the dam side, he's out of a stakes-performed mare, Futoon, who has also produced high-class juvenile Wings of War, a winner of the Mill Reef Stakes (G2) at 2. Trained by Roger Varian, Charyn's talent was evident from an early age, highlighted by victory in the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (G2) as a 2-year-old. His championship season at 4 featured the celebrated group 1 mile treble that gained him a Timeform rating of 127. "We are also looking forward to the relationship with Sumbe," Lindsay continued. "As we have found with Haras d'Etreham and Juddmonte, the stallion is important, but a lasting relationship with the Bizakov family, Tony Fry, and the Sumbe team is just as important." Nurlan Bizakov said Cambridge Stud was the perfect fit for Charyn and looked forward to a successful partnership with the iconic New Zealand nursery. "I'm delighted and honored to confirm the agreement with Cambridge Stud, and I would like to warmly thank Sir Brendan Lindsay, Henry Plumptre, and their entire team for their confidence in the stallion, as well as for their enthusiasm and support of Sumbe," he said. "Cambridge is a prestigious stud with a highly significant broodmare band, providing an outstanding platform to support a stallion of Charyn's calibre. He will appeal to Southern Hemisphere breeders, thanks to his physical presence and athleticism, which he consistently passes on to his foals." Cambridge Stud CEO Henry Plumptre was over the moon to have secured the services of such a high-class individual. "Charyn's three group 1 victories against elite opposition showcased his tactical speed and a great turn of foot. "He distanced strong opposition in the Queen Anne and the Prix Jacques le Marois, but was tested in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, responding with great courage to draw clear. "Dark Angel continues to produce at the elite level in Europe, and the success of Harry Angel in Australia should give further confidence. The fact that Dark Angel is achieving his best black-type results with Danzig, Danehill, Exceed And Excel, and Gone West can only enhance his prospects." Sword of State (AUS)'s first 2-year-old crop was highly anticipated following the 2025 yearling sales, and his progeny have wasted no time delivering on that promise. In Australia, high-class colt Warwoven captured the Pago Pago Stakes (G3) while Torture triumphed in the Debutant Stakes. In New Zealand, his early flagbearer has been Sistema Stakes (G1) placegetter State of Valour. Another strong showing for Sword of State's progeny at the sales in 2026 was highlighted by the sale topping price of NZ$1.1 million at New Zealand Bloodstock's Book 1 Yearling Sale. Those results have seen the son of Snitzel's fee increase to $50,000 + GST. "It is unprecedented for a New Zealand-based stallion to sire two stakes-winning 2-year-olds in Australia, let alone from his first crop," said Cambridge Stud Sales and Nominations Manager Scott Calder. Chaldean (GB), the only grade 1-winning 2-year-old by Frankel (GB) at stud in Australasia, will enter his third season in New Zealand at a fee of $35,000 + GST. "The win by Sir Delius in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes was another reminder not only of Frankel's prowess as a stallion, but also of his incredible record in Australia," Calder said. "Chaldean's mix of pedigree and race record makes him an especially attractive stallion prospect. The Dewhurst Stakes (G1) and Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner was the leading first-crop sire at the weanling sales in Europe, with an average of 106,000 pounds (NZ$245,000), and Cambridge Stud is confident his Southern Hemisphere stock will make a similar impression. "Henry was very impressed by his foals at the Tattersalls December Sale, where they generated some exceptional results," Calder said. "I doubt many young stallions in New Zealand have received the caliber of mares he has in his first two crops, and we expect the buying bench will be drawn to them here as well. Almanzor (FR) will stand for $25,000 + GST after another successful season in which he sired five group winners, headed by First Five, who completed a grade 1-winning sprint double in the BCD Sprint (G1) and Telegraph Stakes (G1). On the world stage, his star performer was Prix de Diane (G1) and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) winner Gezora (FR). "Almanzor keeps showing that he is a dependable source of black-type winners, and adding a grade 1 weight-for-age sprinter this season is another string to his bow," Calder said.