Following the news that five time Group 1 winner Dream Ahead is to retire to stud in Ballylinch Stud, breeders can now look forward to another exciting addition to the Irish stallion ranks. In a deal negotiated by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock, Lilbourne Lad, winner of the Group 2 Railway Stakes and a close second in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes on Saturday, has been purchased by Rathbarry Stud and will be retired for the 2012 breeding season. He will stand alongside his sire Acclamation, as well as Tagula and Moss Vale, and his fee will be announced shortly. The purchase comes on the back of an excellent year for Acclamation, who is also the sire of the unbeaten Group 2 winner Harbour Watch. Rathbarry Stud’s Paul Cashman describes Lilbourne Lad as “a very correct, deep bodied horse with a fluent action”.