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Introducing Leonato
Leonato is a good-looking gelding who was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock and Mick Fitzgerald for 45,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July Sale. Having shown plenty of ability on the Flat, this son of Lope de Vega now heads into training with Jamie Snowden for a career over hurdles.
He has continued to progress since being gelded, finishing placed at Lingfield in April 2026 in a race that has since produced multiple winners. His most eye-catching effort came when stepped up to 1m6f at Yarmouth. Despite a mishap at the start, he stayed on strongly, suggesting there is more to come when his stamina is put to the test.Lope de Vega was a top-class racehorse who has gone on to become an equally successful stallion, siring multiple Group 1 winners on the Flat as well as a Grade 1 winner over hurdles.
Jamie was delighted to welcome this progressive gelding to his string and told us: “He is a proper three-year-old juvenile hurdler for this season, and he has got the size and the scope to jump fences down the line as well. Lovely horse, good form on the Flat, great pedigree!”.
Leonato has the scope and strength for jumping, looks a true galloper and has shown versatility on different ground. Those qualities make him an appealing juvenile hurdle prospect.
Share Breakdown
There are no other partners in this horse, so once 2,750 shares are sold, 100% of the horse will be owned by Old Gold Racing owners.
Unlike other syndicates, Old Gold Racing does not charge owners VAT. This means that there is no need to reclaim VAT and that a share represents a greater proportion of the racehorse.
At the end of the syndicate term any unspent funds are returned to owners pro-rata. These funds can be withdrawn or used against the cost of renewing or purchasing a share.
THE SHARE PRICE BREAKS DOWN AS FOLLOWS:
Racehorse Value
£17.64
Training & Vet Bills
£17.45
Insurance & Racing Fees
£6.40
Management Fee
£20
Contingency
£2.51
TOTAL
£64
Breeding Details
LOPE DE VEGA won on his debut at two before developing into one of France’s leading three-year-olds. He completed the French 2,000 Guineas and French Derby double in 2010 and was named champion three-year-old in France that season.
He has gone on to become a leading sire, producing more than 275 stakes horses, including 25 Group 1 winners. Among them are Almaqam, Santa Ana Lane and Belardo, who has since established himself as a sire. Lope de Vega stands at Ballylinch Stud for a career-high fee of €200,000 in 2026.
His offspring have also enjoyed success over hurdles. Mengli Khan won the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, while Camprond landed the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle, offering encouragement as Leonato begins his jumping career
PRINCESS JORDAN won the Listed Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket and was placed at Group level, reaching a peak rating of 104 for Luca Cumani. She has since produced Barazin, a six-time winner in France and Australia who has also been placed ten times and earned £116,233. Her wider family includes Group 3 winner Qewy and champion racehorse and leading sire Dubawi.
His damsire is CAPE CROSS, who won the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes in record time before becoming a hugely influential stallion. He sired champions including Ouija Board, Sea The Stars and Golden Horn, and his influence has extended to jumping as the damsire of Call Me Lord and Mirabad.
Leonato Form
Runs
5
Wins
0
2NDs
1
3RDs
1
Age
3
Earnings
£4,345
The Benefits
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