Four-time G1 winner Shirocco, rated by Timeform as the world`s best older horse, has been bought by Darley and will stand at Dalham Hall Stud in 2007.

His greatest triumph came when accounting for Azamour, Bago and a total of six Group One winners in the Breeders` Cup Turf last year. His wins also include a dominant display against Ouija Board in the Coronation Cup and a victory over Hurricane Run and Pride in the Prix Foy. He won the German Derby at three, the same year he took Electrocutionist`s scalp in the G1 Gran Premio del Jockey Club.

He is the finest son of the remarkable German stallion Monsun, who has sired a phenomenal 17% Stakes winners to foals aged three and up. Shirocco, who is rated even better than his great sire on the track, is out of The Minstrel mare So Sedulous, from the fast family of Irish Champion two-year-old filly Gala Event and Irish Champion Sprinter Miss Emma.

John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed, said, `Shirocco is a great-looking son of Monsun, and has proved himself to be an exceptional racehorse with a Timeform Rating of 131. He is a great-looking horse with a fantastic temperament and we feel he will be a real asset to breeders from all over Europe, particularly when one considers the enormous influence his sire is having."

Baron Georg von Ullmann, who bred and raced Shirocco, said, `One of the conditions of sale was that Gest�t Schlenderhan could have considerable access to Shirocco and we are looking forward to sending some of our best mares to the horse. Monsun is a proven top-class stallion, but his age means that access is limited, and Shirocco could prove to be an attractive alternative.`

Shiroco will stand at �10,000 Special Live Foal