HYMN [IRE] (dk b, 1997, by Fairy King out of Handsewn, by Sir Ivor).
Standing at Jai-Govind Stud Farm in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The first son of Fairy King to stand in India, Burden Of Proof [IRE], came up with a Kingfisher Bangalore Derby, Gr.1 winner (Fantabulous King) in his initial crop. The next son of Fairy King in these parts, Royal Kingdom[IRE], emulated that feat in 2005 with Holding Court. Logically, then, one amongst the 15 first crop offspring of Hymn[IRE] should annex the 2006 running of that highlight of the summer!

Bred by the Coolmore-connected Orpendale operation, in partnership with Ben Sangster, Hymn[IRE] went into training in England with John Gosden and then was transferred to U.S.A. in the care of Richard Lundy. In all, he won thrice, earning the cumulative sum of $190,257, including the Hawthorne Derby, Gr.3, at Hawthorne Park. Hymn[IRE] also placed a length and a half, second to Pine Dance in the American Derby, Gr.2, at Arlington Park and 4th (behind Ciro, King Cugat and Guillamou City) in the Secretariat Stakes, Gr.1, on the same track.

Hymn[IRE] is superbly-bred on his dams side. He himself is a half-brother to Juddmonte Beresford Stakes, Gr.3, winner Festival Hall (now a sire in Australia), while his dam is a half-sister to champion miler Thatch; to Gr.1 winner King Pellinore; to stakes winner Espadrille (grandam of Docksider, and Classic Sport[USA], who stood at the Paramvir Stud); to stakes winner Lisadell (dam of the ill-fated Group 1 winner Fatherland, grandam of successful sire Sword Dance and third dam of Japanese Horse Of The Year, El Condor Pasa); to the quirky but talented Marinsky (Timeform Rating 132) and not least, to the non-winner Special, who made up for her lack of performance on the track by coming up with Nureyev and Fairy Bridge (dam of the peerless and incomparable at least amongst living stallions  Sadler's Wells).