A round up of all the action for the Darley stallions over the past week
Hartnell back to his brilliant best
Hartnell has been a superb campaigner for his sire Authorized and, now in his fifth year of racing, he showed that he is just as good as ever on Saturday, 10 February with a thrilling win in the G1 CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield.
This was his third victory at the highest level and he will now head to the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes, where he will likely meet his old adversary, Champion racemare and daughter of Street Cry, Winx once again.
New Approach also enjoyed success in Australia last week, when his daughter Gogo Grace romped to a four-and-a-half-length victory in the G3 Bow Mistress Stakes at Hobart, Tasmania.
2018 could be an exciting year for New Approach, with his first post-Dawn Approach crop now three and a talented group that includes Masar and Magic Lily, both G1 placed last year.
Record-breaking yearling for Champion sprinter Brazen Beau
As well as the action ramping up on the track ahead of their Autumn Carnival, there was plenty of excitement in the sales ring in Australia.
History was made on several fronts at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, as the new Riverside Stables sales complex opened its doors for the first time. Not only was the overall sale a record-breaking one, but a new high price was set as a cracking colt by Brazen Beau sold for A$480,000 (£271,000).
Out of the Group winner Written Dash, the colt (pictured) will now head for Hong Kong, having been bought by Justin Bahen on behalf of Orbis Bloodstock.
Brazen Beau’s first European crop are now yearlings and having been extremely well received as foals, there is bound to be plenty more sales success for the promising young stallion later this year.
Siblings shine in Meydan Stakes races
It was very much a family affair at Meydan on Thursday, 8 February, as half-siblings Winter Lightning and Thunder Snow both landed Stakes races at the latest Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting.
Winter Lightning, a daughter of Shamardal, won her first Black Type contest with a convincing victory in the UAE 1,000 Guineas. She will now head for the UAE Oaks on Thursday, 1 March and holds an entry in the G1 English 1,000 Guineas – a race in which her full sister Ihtimal finished a close third four years ago.
Two races later and it was the turn of Helmet’s son Thunder Snow (pictured), who led home a Darley-sired trifecta in the feature race of the evening, the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2. North America (Dubawi) added further Black Type to his record, finishing second, while Heavy Metal (Exceed And Excel) continued his good start to the year when taking third.
Already the winner of two G1 contests and a brace of UAE Classics, Thunder Snow will step back up to G1 level for Super Saturday, where he will bid to win the Al Maktoum Challenge R3.
#thinkingCharmingThoughts
Last week, breeders were offered the chance to win a free 2018 nomination to G1 Middle Park Stakes winner Charming Thought, by sharing their opinion on the handsome young stallion.
The winning entry came from Daniel James of Brookside Stud, who said, “A CHARMING horse that filled my mind with THOUGHTS of success!”
Mr James was delighted with his win, saying, “I am very pleased, I really like the stallion and was intending to use him anyway.
“Maybe you’ll be reading about the offspring of this nomination in a few years’ time when it wins."
A new season begins
This Wednesday, 14 February, sees the official start of the new covering season and there will soon be a steady flow of horse boxes heading through the gates of Dalham Hall Stud, Kildangan Stud and Haras du Logis.
