More than 18 months ago (16 May 2003 to be exact) AAP reported that Willowbend Stud (Qld) would retain Clang (Bellotto/Sudden Impulse) with shareholders rejecting Darley's $5 million offer for the stallion.

It was reassuring news for Queensland (and also Willowbend), and in retrospect the offer for the colonial stallion was peanuts compared to some of the dollars changing hands in recent months (for sires who have done less than Clang [who now has three G1 winners to his credit including Golden Slipper winner Calaway Gal and AJC Derby winner Clangalang]).

The impeccably bred Monashee Mountain (Danzig ex Prospectors Delite) is another Willowbend incumbent, the Coolmore stallion spending his Southern shuttle months in temperate Beaudesert rather than the Hunter Valley.

So what you may ask?

Well, don't forget that Encosta de Lago was also a Coolmore horse ... who just happened to have a Victorian address.

You may have noticed that in Europe, Monashee Mountain forms part of a Coolmore triumvirate that currently head the leading first-crop sires list.

Of course, Monashee Mountain's first crop will need to perform in Australia to elicit any discussion re a change in address. But, without being privy to the ownership arrangement I have to say the European developments are interesting in relation to whether Monashee Mountain will continue to call Qld home.

LEADING FIRST-CROP SIRES IN EUROPE IN 2004
(In Order of Prize Money Won)

1 GIANT'S CAUSEWAY (1997) Storm Cat
2 MONASHEE MOUNTAIN (1997) Danzig
3 MONTJEU (1996) Sadler's Wells
4 DANSILI (1996) Danehill
5 XAAR (1995) Zafonic
6 ROSSINI (1997) Miswaki
7 DIKTAT (1995) Warning
8 NAMID (1996) Indian Ridge
9 DUBAI MILLENNIUM (1996) Seeking the Gold
10 KING'S BEST (1997) Kingmambo