Fantasy World was purchased at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, the same sale that has produced Kennet Valley stars such as Sir Busker, Flashcard, and Fast Society. As in previous years, we worked closely with Emma Balding and Tessa Hetherington, who both loved this gelding.

His sire, Make Believe, was a dual Group 1-winning racehorse, capturing the French 2,000 Guineas and Prix de la Forêt. He has since developed into a highly capable stallion, siring Group winners such as Believe In Love, Self Belief, and the outstanding Mishriff, who won the French Derby, Saudi Cup, and Sheema Classic, earning just shy of £12 million in prize money.

Fantasy World’s dam, Donau, is a daughter of the great High Chaparral and was a multiple winner in Germany. She has produced two winners from two runners at stud, including Billiegee, the first two-year-old winner by Waldgeist. Both were relatively inexpensive purchases, leading us to believe that Fantasy World could be the best physical specimen Donau has produced. He hails from a strong German family, with his next three dams all achieving black type, and four black-type siblings, two of whom were Group winners. Given this pedigree, he is expected to stay at least a mile as a three-year-old and possibly further.

Fantasy World has been a work in progress but showed promise on his debut in October. He has done well over the winter and looks the type to improve with racing, particularly when faced with proper stamina tests. He has bundles of scope, and with Andrew Balding’s excellent record with this type of horse, we’re excited to see what the season holds for him.