India's leading breeding operation, Poonawalla Stud, is celebrating a coup after securing four-time group 1 winner Sosie to stand as a stallion next year.
Ajay Anne of New Approach Bloodstock, who brokered the deal, said the capture of Sosie for Poonawalla Stud represented "the highest profile racehorse bought out of training to stand in India."
Anne added: "It's incredibly exciting and a great credit to Mr. Zavaray Poonawalla. Mr Poonawalla is continuing with his ambition of building a world-class breeding establishment, and he wants to use it to try and take on the world."
Based in Pune, Poonawalla Stud is the home to the stallion Territories and had been the base of Economics before he died due to complications following colic surgery in February.
Sosie was bred and raced by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and showed high-class form across four seasons on the racecourse under the tutelage of Andre Fabre.
Successful on his debut at two, Sosie went on to win the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and the Prix Niel (G2) in 2024 before finishing a close fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), having been sent off as the favorite.
He returned last year to win the Prix Ganay (G1) and Prix d'Ispahan (G1), while he went one place better in the Arc when claiming third behind Daryz. He finished the year with a scintillating success in the Hong Kong Vase (G1) at Sha Tin.
Sosie is by Sea The Stars (IRE) and is a half-brother to four black-type performers, while his 2-year-old brother, Jumeau, made a winning debut for the Wertheimers and trainers Andre and Lavinia Fabre this month.
Sosie shares his extended pedigree with Sea The Moon, who is also by Sea The Stars and has sired the likes of group 1 winners Rayif, Fantastic Moon and Alpine Star.
A desire to compete in domestic classics and high-class international races spurred Poonawalla Stud to make the move for Sosie, according to Anne.
He said: "We've been looking for a horse who can breed classic winners—Guineas and Derby winners—and to do that you need the raw material. Territories has done fantastically since moving to India and has things covered from 6 furlongs up to a mile, but everyone wants horses for their classics.
"Indian racing isn't doing as well as it could be as, like with governments the world over, it seems, horse racing is not being cherished and seen as the sport it should be.
"As such, you have to give credit to Mr. Poonawalla, who is already one of the largest sponsors in India, that he has this ambition, drive and desire to keep buying world-class horses like this to try and lift the sport at home—and hopefully challenge across the world as well."
