Teofilo’s four-year-old son Irishcorrespondent (who now races under the name Exultant) has been remarkably consistent since relocating to Hong Kong and on Sunday, 24 June, he added a second Group victory to his record when taking the nine-furlong G3 Premier Plate at Sha Tin.
Settled off the pace under his regular rider Zac Purton, Irishcorrespondent had to take the wide path around the turn, but once he hit the straight, picked up impressively and soon moved clear. He ran on superbly to cross the line a length and a quarter ahead of the fast-finishing Gold Mount, with a further four and a quarter lengths back to third.
Irishcorrespondent had already proved himself as a top-class performer, finishing third in the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas at three. He was third in this year’s Hong Kong Derby and finished second to Shamardal’s outstanding son Pakistan Star in the G1 Champions and Chater Cup last time out.
Irishcorrespondent was bred by Ballygallon Stud and is out of the winning Mark Of Esteem mare Contrary, herself a half-sister to Group-winning sprinters Caspian Prince and Spirit Quartz.
Teofilo, sire of 14 G1 winners to date, including Pleascach and Trading Leather, is also sire this year of G1 Doncaster Handicap hero Happy Clapper, plus fellow Group winners Humidor and Yakeen.
