Magnier Welcomes Another Wells Winner John Magnier was a winner on more fronts than one as Alexandrova romped to victory in yesterday?s Vodafone Oaks. Magnier is head of Coolmore Stud, which has bases around the world, including at its headquarters in Ireland, home to its most famous stallion, the 14-time champion Sadler?s Wells. It was no coincidence that Sadler?s Wells sired Alexandrova, since many of Magnier?s best winners have been produced by his star stallion. Alexandrova carried the colours of Magnier?s wife Sue, plus Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor. Magnier said: 'We go round looking at horses and this filly came from a very good farm near us in Cashel. She?s by Sadler?s Wells out of a mare by Shirley Heights and Adrian Nicoll bought her for us at the Newmarket Sales for 420,000gns - that?s a very good price now. 'They [trainer Aidan O?Brien and jockey Kieren Fallon] said all the way through last year that she could be an Oaks winner and Aidan raced her sparingly. We could all see how good she was when she ran at Newmarket last year [beaten a head by Nannina in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies? Mile]. That?s when it became clear.' Sadler?s Wbells lost his sires? title to the late Danehill (also owned by Magnier) last year, and Magnier was asked how important it would be if the old champion regained his title. Magnier said: 'I don?t think that really matters in his case, because everyone knows he?s the best there?s ever been and we?re not going to see his like again. 'At this stage of his career the mares he?s covering are not so good and his fertility is dropping etc so he doesn?t have the same chances as some of the younger horses. But he?s still the best for me. He just finds it harder to get up in the morning.'
