Star Kingdom

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Star Kingdom was a thoroughbred racehorse bred in Ireland in 1946. A son of Stardust from the Concerto mare Impromptu he raced under the name Star King in England.

A handy type he was rated second (to Abernant) among English sprinters at the conclusion of his two-year-old season. Out of 16 starts he recorded 9 wins and was unplaced only 4 times collecting £12,293 in stakes. His better wins included the York Gimcrack Stakes and the Sandown Park Produce Stakes.

He was purchased by Stanley Wootton at a cost of £4,000 and sent to Australia in 1951. Upon arrival he was re-registered as Star Kingdom and installed at Barramul Stud in New South Wales. His influence was not immedaitely felt however, he became Australia's leading sire for the first time in the 1958-59 season when his fifth crop began racing.

Standing at Barramul Stud for 16 successive seasons (1951 - 1966) he died from a bowel blockage, at the age of 21 in April 1967.

One of his most extraordinary achievements was to sire the winner of the first five Golden Slipper Stakes.

Primarily a speed sire his influence is still evident in the bloodlines of many Australian thoroughbreds today.

Amongst his offspring were the outstanding horses Todman, Noholme, Time And Tide, Biscay, Sky High, Skyline, Kingster, Star Affair, Planet Kingdom, Kaoru Star, Mighty Kingdom, Concert Star, Citius, Magic Night, Starlit, Cymbal, Pussywillow and Courteous.