Mac Love has been a splendid campaigner for his sire Cape Cross and the eight-year-old showed his younger rivals that age is no barrier to success when sweeping to victory in the G3 Diomed Stakes on Oaks day at Epsom.
Settled at the rear of the field under Mickey Fenton, Mac Love was asked to make his move two furlongs from home and accelerated past his opponents to win by three-quarters of a length from 6-4 favourite Confront. Deposer (by fellow Darley stallion Kheleyf) made almost all of the running and eventually finished third to add further Black type to his CV.
This was the fourth victory at Stakes level for Mac Love, who was also second behind Rakti (Polish Precedent) in the G1 Lockinge Stakes in 2005. He is now in training with Stef Liddiard, who was celebrating her first Group winner.
A son of Cape Cross will once again be the centre of attention at Epsom tomorrow, when Sea The Stars bids to become the first horse to complete the 2,000 Guineas/ Derby double since Nashwan 20 years ago.
Also on Friday, first-season sire Shamardal sired his second winner in the most impressive fashion when Below Zero took the five furlong maiden at Bath by an astounding eight lengths.
Trained by Mark Johnston (who of course trained Shamardal himself during his juvenile year), Below Zero made all the running and pulled clear of the field with a furlong left to run and was eased down crossing the line.
Bred by Darley and running in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum, Below Zero is out of the Caerleon mare Chilly Start who is herself a half-sister to the great Lammtarra.
