'The finest looking horse we've come across' - Group 1 winner Scalo on the move to Longford House Stud

German Group 1 winner and and Classic-producing sire Scalo has been recruited to Longford House Stud's roster in County Tipperary. 

During stints at around France, chiefly at Haras du Logis Saint Germain and Haras de Gelos, as well as in a three-year spell in at Yorton Farm near Shrewsbury, the Preis Von Europa-winning son of Lando had caught the eye of John Baldwin. 

Baldwin, who runs Longford House Stud with his sister June Lewis, said: "He arrived last Wednesday in tremendous condition, the guys in France did a terrific job with him. We were interested in the horse a couple of years ago and he was sold. 

"I was talking to [agent] Richard Venn a couple of weeks ago and he said to me Scalo was available, apparently he was sold in February but the money didn't turn up. He said were we interested in the horse and we said yes."

Now 18 years old, the handsome brown horse has enjoyed plenty of success from smaller crops. By some way leading their number is the 2019 Deutsches Derby hero and champion German three-year-old Laccario. Other useful performers include Ronaldo, who scored multiple times on the Flat around mainland, while Normande and Scalor are among those to have hit the target over jumps. 

Decorated Knight: another Longford House Stud residentCredit: Patrick McCann

Baldwin added: "He's probably the finest looking horse we've come across. He hasn't covered huge volumes of mares either, he's just like a two-year-old as he's got no age on him at all. I can't emphasis how they looked after him in France, he looks tremendous."

The Longford House Stud roster is now six-strong and includes the likes of Galileo's three-time Group 1 winner Decorated Knight, proven Grade 1 National Hunt sire Leading Light, another son of Galileo in Acomb Stakes winner Recorder and Rajsaman, sire of dual French Classic hero Brametot.

Seven Pockets, a beautifully-bred son of Frankel, completes the active roster while the stud is also home to two notable veterans in the top-class stayer Vinnie Roe and St Leger and Racing Post Trophy victor Brian Boru. 

"Everything's good here with six stallions altogether and two retired horses," Baldwin said. "Vinnie Roe is 27 and retired, he's absolutely unbelievable for his age. His friend and next-door companion, Brian Boru, is 25."

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