In recent years, STARCRAFT’S sire line has enjoyed considerable success in Australasia through such stallions as Stravinsky, Spinning World and perennial leading sire Zabeel whose dam is by Nureyev. These stallions, amongst other representatives of the Nureyev sireline, have shown a distinct affinity for certain bloodlines, specifically those of Damascus, Relic and some strains of the Northern Dancer sire line.

Daughters of DANEHILL have enjoyed tremendous success with Nureyev line stallions. This cross has produced Dane Julia who won the Group 1 South African Fillies Classic; Irish 1000 Guineas winner Saoire (by Pivotal, who like Starcraft, is a grandson of Nureyev) and the Group 2 winning and Classic placed Democratic Deficit. In Australasia, Soviet Star has sired the stakes winner Stardane out of a Danehill mare while Zabeel has sired champion Vengeance Of Rain on this cross.

The reverse Danehill/Nureyev cross has been very successful and major winners include Arc de Triomphe winner Rail Link and multiple G1 winner Darci Brahma. In addition to Danehill mares, this cross can also be created via the daughters of the multitude of Danehill sires sons including FLYING SPUR, DANZERO, REDOUTE’S CHOICE, DESERT KING, DANEHILL DANCER, CATBIRD etc.

Other strains of the Northern Dancer sire line to show an affinity with Nureyev are NIJINSKY II (Group 1 winning sisters Irridescence and Perfect Promise), SADLER’S WELLS (Champion 3YO filly Serenade Rose) and NIGHT SHIFT (triple Group 1 winner Somnus). Broodmare sires supplying these lines include ROYAL ACADEMY, WESTERN SYMPHONY, YEATS, GENEROUS, SERHEED, CAERLEON, ALIGN, SCENIC, CARNEGIE, BARATHEA, MONTJEU, SONG OF TARA and GALILEO.  The success of Night Shift also highlights the potential of close relations ENCOSTA DE LAGO and FLYING SPUR as good crosses for Starcraft.

The Nureyev/RELIC cross has been incredibly successful in Australasia. This nick appears in the champion Octagonal, as well as in Group 1 winners Railings, Desert War and the brilliant Thorn Park. Starcraft’s own sire Soviet Star has enjoyed Group 1 success with this cross with his NZ bred son Russian Pearl containing three strains of Relic. The most readily available sources of Relic blood in Australasia are: BLETCHINGLY (and his sire sons and grandsons such as CANNY LAD, STAR WATCH, HURRICANE SKY etc), RORY’S JESTER, and sire descendents of Eight Carat (OCTAGONAL, DANEWIN, KAAPSTAD and COMMANDS etc).

Daughters of RORY’S JESTER have further appeal for Starcraft as in addition to containing the blood of Relic, his sire line stems back to that of Nasrullah and the Nureyev/Nasrullah cross appears in the pedigrees of champions Makybe Diva, Lonhro and Starcraft himself.  Nasrullah is also prominent in stallions such as KENMARE and his sons, JEUNE, ANABAA, TALE OF THE CAT, QUEST FOR FAME, SPECTRUM, UMATILLA, SNIPPETS and mares carrying RIVERMAN.

Desert War is among 8 Group 1 winners that carry the Nureyev/DAMASCUS cross. This nick is exciting given the early speed and quality of mares carrying this blood. Thus mares by DEHERE, RED RANSOM, SALIERI, SECRET SAVINGS and DASH FOR CASH have enormous appeal for Starcraft.

Starcraft’s damsire Pompeii Court is by Tell, who like his sire Round Table, is a descendant of ALOPE.  Reinforcing this important line should work very well for Starcraft.  Sources include SIR TRISTRAM (who sex balances Round Table), GROSVENOR (who also carries Aureole), TALE OF THE CAT, HAULPAK, JOHANNESBURG, FRAAR and mares carrying ALCIDE and AUREOLE.

SIR TRISTRAM is particularly attractive, as his granddam is a half sister to Mossborough, who appears on Starcraft’s fifth remove.  Daughters of his descendants such as GROSVENOR, WESTMINSTER, MARAUDING, ZABEEL, OCTAGONAL and DR. GRACE appeal.

Other bloodlines that have successfully “nicked” with Nureyev and should be considered for Starcraft include MR PROSPECTOR (via THUNDER GULCH, HUSSONET, BELLOTTO, EL MOXIE, GEIGER COUNTER and WOODMAN), Djebel (CENTAINE, RUBITON and AHONOORA), other Turn-To line sires such as MORE THAN READY, FUJI KISEKI, DON’T SAY HALO and AT TALAQ and Hyperion (via mares containing STAR KINGDOM).