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Posted 2026-01-20 09:22:18  
DIGITAL AGE (IRE): International Grade 1 Winner with First Yearlings Selling This Year

Digital Age (IRE) brings proven international Grade 1 class to stud, having entered stud in 2024, and is now set to make his first commercial impact with his debut crop of yearlings selling this year. That timing places him firmly in focus as breeders and buyers look for early value linked to genuine top-level performance.

A bay horse foaled in 2015 and standing 16 hands, Digital Age was a high-class turf performer in the United States, winning five races from 1600 to 1800 meters and earning more than US$1.2 million. His career highlight came with victory in the Grade 1 Turf Classic Stakes over 1800 meters, a performance that confirmed his ability to succeed at the elite end of international turf racing. That same season, he was crowned Joint Top-Rated 4-Year-Old Turf Horse in the USA, a significant distinction in a deep and competitive division.

His form at the highest level was both consistent and versatile. In addition to his Grade 1 success, Digital Age captured the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes over 1700 meters, finished second in the Saratoga Derby Invitational, and placed fourth in both the Grade 1 Belmont Invitational over 2000 meters and the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby over 1800 meters. Those efforts underlined his durability and his ability to compete against elite opposition across major North American tracks.

At stud, Digital Age represents the influential Invincible Spirit sire line. Invincible Spirit has left a powerful global imprint through progeny such as Kingman, Moonlight Cloud, Charm Spirit, Magna Grecia, Shalaa, Profitable, Territories, Mayson, Vale Of York, and Nazeef. Of particular relevance to Southern Hemisphere breeders is I Am Invincible, now a Champion Sire in Australia and an emerging sire of sires, reinforcing the long-term commercial and genetic strength of the line.

The depth of his female family adds further appeal. Digital Age is the first foal out of Willow View, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Cursory Glance, and already a producer of graded winners. The pedigree traces back to the outstanding racemare Time Charter, rated 131 by Timeform, with intelligent kin-breeding to Hyperion through Aureole and High Hat. Subsequent generations strengthened the family through Lalun, Sir Gaylord, and Lemon Drop Kid, while the wider line features influential names such as Al Mufti, Wolfhound, Tiger Ridge, and Duke Of Marmalade. This is a female line widely regarded as an excellent fit for the South African broodmare population.

That pedigree strength is beginning to be reflected in his early stock. Among the yearlings selling this year is Current State, a colt bred by Mauritzfontein out of Persian Rug, a four-time winner from 1400 to 2000 meters and winner of the Syringa Handicap. Persian Rug also placed in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes, while the second dam, Queen of Persia, is an own sister to Gay Fortuna, the dam of Marinesco, Marina, and Mercurana.

Another yearling to be offered this year is a filly from Normandy Stud out of Aunty Carol, a half-sister to Demanding Lady, the dam of Charles Dickens, Somerset Maugham, and Charles. Aunty Carol has produced four runners, all winners, including the progressive sprinter Demanding Dave, adding further substance to the page.

Looking ahead, Digital Age will also be represented at the 2026 Premier Yearling Sale. His entries include Calm Chaos, a colt from Maine Chance Farms out of Camika, whose family has already produced Champagne Castle, a multiple winner whose victories include the Charles Dickens Stakes on L’Ormarins King’s Plate Day. Also catalogued is Champagne Rose, a filly from Soetendal Estate out of Idle Hour, whose second dam Time of My Life was placed at Grade 1 level and is closely related to Be My Queen, Wings of Time, and Action Time.

With elite racecourse credentials, a globally respected sire line, and his first crop of yearlings now entering the market, Digital Age offers breeders and buyers an early opportunity to invest in a stallion built on proven international performance rather than promise alone.

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