A Royal Ascot hero three years running at two, three and four, Canford Cliffs
is based at Coolmore in the Northern Hemisphere. Canford Cliffs is closely followed by top sprinter Dream Ahead (USA) at 5-2, while Poet's Voice (GB) and Zoffany (IRE) are both currently available at 10-3.
All three horses have been regular shuttlers to Australia, Dream Ahead standing at Emirates Park, Poet's Voice at Darley and Zoffany at Coolmore.
"It's always difficult to know what to expect from first-season stallions but it's reasonable to assume they might throw horses similar in type to themselves, and it is for that reason that Canford Cliffs heads the betting," said RaceBets spokesman Joseph Burke.
"Dream Ahead was the second highest rated, courtesy of Group 1 wins at two and three, and he is next in at 5-2.
"Keeneland Phoenix Stakes winner Zoffany, who also chased home Frankel in the St. James's Palace Stakes at three, is the joint-third favourite at 7-2. Sharing that position is Poet's Voice and it's quite obvious the judges have high expectations for the son of Dubawi given his yearling averages and medians surpassed any of his opposition here.
"While there are fewer individual stallions competing for the title of leading first-season sire this year, it is nevertheless extremely competitive and whets the appetite for the Flat season."
Canford Cliffs, Dream Ahead, Poet's Voice and Zoffany all have their first yearlings selling at our sales this year and will have runners here in the spring.
