Kingman tops 2022 TDN Rising Stars

It'll come as no shock to learn that Kingman was numerically dominant, notching eight 'Rising Stars' during the course of the season. He was comfortably clear of Dubawi, Frankel and No Nay Never, who all registered four.

Taken from TDN, 10th January 2023, by Sean Cronin

By what standard is the success of this publication's signature TDN Rising Stars measured; is there an answer? Achieving blacktype, at the very least, is a given in any consideration, but tweaks are necessary, as our recent "The Ones That Got Away" article demonstrates. As it happens, last season's vintage managed a sizeable haul of elite-level contests to make 2022 a relative success. Four European Classic triumphs--courtesy of Cachet (Ire), Desert Crown (GB), Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Eldar Eldarov (GB) --were the obvious highlights.

There were others to strike in Group 1 company too, including Classic contenders Little Big Bear (Ire), Tahiyra (Ire) and Auguste Rodin (Ire). Bolstered by Gr.2 Mill Reef St. scorer Sakheer (Ire) and Gr.2 Gimcrack St. victor Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}), last term's juvenile band is one of some strength. Depth is provided by Gr.1 Futurity Trophy runner-up Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Gr.3 Zukunfts-Rennen victrix Habana (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) and Gr.3 Somerville Tattersall St. victor and Gr.1 Dewhurst St. third Nostrum (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Statistically, 59 individuals were elevated to 'Rising Star' status in Europe last year, kicking off with subsequent black-type winner and Gr.2 Prix Niel runner-up Lassaut (Fr) at Chantilly in March.

It'll come as no shock to learn that Kingman (GB) was numerically dominant, notching eight 'Rising Stars' during the course of the season. He was comfortably clear of Dubawi, Frankel,  and No Nay Never, who all registered four. Galileo, Sea The Stars (Ire) and Siyouni (Fr) were next in line on three. Galileo, Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Siyouni (Fr) were next in line on three.
Tasked with formulating a Top 10 to look forward to in 2023, plumping for those already on the black-type register would be an exercise in stating the obvious, so the net has been cast further in attempt to identify untapped potential of those yet to make their mark at a higher level. Listed in alphabetical order below, five are by sires who became 'Rising Stars' in their own right on the racecourse and the nominations, by sire, are headed by Dubawi and Siyouni with two each. It's an almost even split by jurisdiction, with France and Ireland home to three apiece.

Kingman's 2022 TDN Rising Stars:

Akhu Najla (GB)

Noble Style (GB)

Age of Kings (IRE)

Epictetus (IRE)

Habana (GER)

Nostrum (GB)

Highbank (IRE)

Laurel (GB)