Racing: Stud duty for King's Chapel

New Zealand's reigning Horse Of The Year, King's Chapel, will stand at Windsor Park Stud.

The winner of close to $1million during a 10-win career which included three group one victories, King's Chapel has been retired because of a tendon injury.

King's Chapel dominated New Zealand's sprint and classic racing over the past two seasons.

In announcing his new stallion acquisition last night, Windsor Park studmaster Nelson Schick said he had always been very impressed with King's Chapel.

"I spoke with David [Ellis] very early on and indicated a strong interest if the horse ever came on the market, as he has all the attributes we look for in a stallion prospect," said Schick.

Schick placed a priority on high-class race performance in his quest for successful sire talent. "I think it is the ultimate test of a horse's ability as well as its temperament and character, to be able to compete consistently well at the highest level at two and three years of age."

In his classic year, King's Chapel won the New Zealand 2000 Guineas in the spring of 2003 before storming into 2004 with a breathtaking win in the group one Telegraph over 1200m.

Schick said few horses break 1.8, let alone 1.7 for 1200m. "King's Chapel won the Telegraph running an incredible 1.6.79."

On the Australian Timeform 4-year-old ratings, King's Chapel sat second on 123 behind Spark Of Life on 124. Elvstroem rated at 122 and Starcraft 121.

King's Chapel campaigned in Brisbane at the end of the 2003-04 season, impressively winning the Gold Coast Guineas.

He was handled throughout his career by Matamata's Mark Walker.