In the post-Rock of Gibraltar era, the country could boast of a dozen or more super stallions, but none could quite produce stayers like him – that is until Ilheus came along. A handsome chestnut, Ilheus was retired to stud in 1982 when he was only four years of age. He stood at the Dashmesh Stud farm in Punjab and his first six crops produced
83 winners from 102 starters.

Northern Dancer, the sire of Ilheus, was the champion three-year-old in North America in 1964 and horse of the year in Canada in the same year. Northern Dancer was the sire of English Triple crown winner Nijinsky and Epsom Derby winner Minstrel.

Even more impressive than his sire was the dam of Ilheus, Homeward Bound II. Sired by Alciydon out of Sabie River, Homeward Bound II was a winner of three races only, but that included the much coveted Epsom Oaks. She also won the Yorkshire Oaks and the Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

The progeny of Ilheus seemed to pick up the Oaks, St Leger and Stayers Cup at will.
Classic Story, one of his most successful off springs, won ten races including three Grade One affairs (Indian St Leger, President Of India Gold Cup and Bangalore Derby). Then, there was Ardiles who notched up five wins including the Stayers Cup twice. Premium Spirit had six wins to his credit including. The Arc de Triomphe and the Bangalore St
Leger while Nine Carat had a tally of nine wins including the Bangalore Oaks and The Golconda St Leger.

Some of the other colts and fillies produced by Ilheus that were hugely successful over longer distances were Noble Quest (eight wins including Deccan Derby), Right Step (four wins including Golconda St Leger), Loving Spirit (four wins including Bangalore Oaks) and Cannon Wish (three wins including Bangalore Oaks).

While on the topic of stayers, it may be relevant to mention that the mare's bloodline is likely to be twice as imposing as the sire's. The mare Purita produced two of the best stayers that this country has seen. One was Aztec (who won the Queen's Cup and Stayers Cup in Calcutta in record timing under the care of Rashid Byramji) and the other – the unforgettable Own Opinion, a prize property of Dr. M.A.M Ramaswamy under the wings of the highly experienced A.B David. The former was sired by Jaandaar and the latter by Simead.