Choisir (18 September 1999 – 7 December 2021) was an Australian-bred dual hemisphere-winning Thoroughbred racehorse. He became the first Australian-trained winner of the Group Two King's Stand Stakes. The same year, Choisir also won the Golden Jubilee Stakes and was second in the July Cup.
Breeding He was sired by the Group one (G1) winner Danehill Dancer (sire of over 500 individual starters for nine G1 winners); his dam Great Selection was by Lunchtime (GB). Choisir was a full brother to Danny Dancer, who won five races in Australia, and a half-brother to Supermarket (by Zephyr Zip ((NZ)), won eight races in Australia and dam of three winners) and Great Chic (by Prince of Birds ((USA)), dam of three winners).
Racing career Choisir was trained by Paul Perry who was based at Broadmeadow Racecourse.
At two years At two Choisir won the Group 3 STC Skyline Stakes over 1,200 metres, the listed AJC Breeders' Plate over 1,000 m., Inglis 2 YO Classic (1,200 m.) and was second in the Group one (G1) AJC Sires Produce Stakes, G2 STC Pago Pago Stakes, 2 YO Conditions Handicap, along with third placings in the G1 STC Golden Slipper Stakes and AJC Champagne Stakes.
At three years Choisir won the G1 VRC Lightning Stakes, Linlithgow Stakes, had third placings in the G1 MRC Oakleigh Plate, G1 2002 Caulfield Guineas, G2 AJC Stan Fox Stakes, G3 VRC L'Oreal Paris Plate.
At four years At four Choisir won the G1 Royal Ascot Golden Jubilee Stakes (6 f.) and the G2 King's Stand Stakes (5 f.) as well as placing second in the G1 Newmarket July Cup.
When Choisir's career was over, Perry hoped that Fastnet Rock would repeat Choisir's successful English campaign, however Fastnet Rock suffered from travel sickness and was unable to race in the United Kingdom.
Stud record Coolmore Stud Australia purchased Choisir to begin a new career as a shuttle stallion just two days after Choisir had finished second in the July Cup.
Choisir was standing at a service fee of $29,700 at Coolmore Stud in 2019. He was pensioned from the breeding barn at the end of the 2020 breeding season.
Choisir died at Coolmore Stud on 7 December 2021.
Notable stock
Choisir sired 12 individual Group 1 winners.
c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding
Foaled Name Sex Major wins 2005 Sacred Choice f Myer Classic, Doncaster Handicap 2006 Starspangledbanner c Caulfield Guineas, Oakleigh Plate, Golden Jubilee Stakes, July Cup 2007 Historian g Zabeel Classic, Thorndon Mile 2008 Obviously g Shoemaker Mile Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint 2009 Choice Bro g Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes 2010 Kushadasi g South Australian Derby 2010 Olympic Glory c Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Lockinge Stakes, Prix de la Forêt 2012 Japonisme g Coolmore Stud Stakes 2013 Divine Prophet c Caulfield Guineas 2014 The Last Lion c Middle Park Stakes 2014 The Mission c Champagne Stakes 2016 Snapdancer f Robert Sangster Stakes, Memsie Stakes
Choisir also sired Proisir, a Group 3 winner who went on to become a leading stud stallion in New Zealand.
Choisir was the grandsire of: Levante, winner of the Telegraph Handicap (2022 & 2023) Legarto, winner of 3 Group 1 races
References