Winning Debut by Knightstown Provides Timely Update for her Half-Sister at the Adelaide MM

Mark Smith - Sunday February 14

There was no shortage of anxious breeders watching Saturday two-year-old race over 100m at Morphettville with five of the eight starters having relations at upcoming yearling sales.

They included the winner Knightstown who made an explosive career debut.

Ridden by Ryan Hurdle for trainer Gordon Richards, the son of Cornerstone Stud’s Group II winning Fastnet Rock stallion Valentina, powered to the line to defeat the favoured Pride Of Dubai filly Hanabi by one and a quarter lengths with the Written Tycoon colt Hauraki Gulf a short-half-head back in third.

Advertisement

Passed in when failing to make his $25,000 reserve when offered by Summerset Park Stud at the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Knightstown has a half-sister by Magnus going through the same sale this March (lot 87).

They are out of the winning Hawk Wing mare Zaraya Rose who tasted success with a previous mating to Magnus leaving the stakes-placed Saccharo who won over 1600m at Flemington on January 9.

Advertisment

Race Result - Leconfield Hcp 1000m

Morphettville Parks Track: Good(4) Time: 0:58.99
1
Knightstown
- 2g Valentia (AUS) x Zaraya Rose (AUS) (Hawk Wing (USA))
Tnr: G V Richards Rdr: R J Hurdle 58
2
1.3
Hanabi
- 2f Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Notjustaprettyface (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: P Gatt 56
3
1.4
Hauraki Gulf
- 2c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Bel Mer (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Todd Pannell 58
4
1.5
Bolsonaro
- 2f Winning Rupert (AUS) x Hashmal (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: D Clarken & O Macgillivray Rdr: Anna Jordsjo 56.5
5
3.2
My Khalifa
- 2g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x O'Reilly's Charm (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: G V Richards Rdr: Kayla Crowther 58
6
5.8
Manhatten Times
- 2g Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Daily Flyer (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: L Macdonald & A Gluyas Rdr: J Holder 58
7
6.4
Courageous Hearts
- 2g Akeed Mofeed (GB) x Anya (AUS) (Distant Music (USA))
Tnr: L Macdonald & A Gluyas Rdr: J Maund 58
8
22.6
Golden Yen
- 2f Wolf Cry (AUS) x Yen (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: K M Sweeney Rdr: Sophie Logan 54
More Reading...
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
2025 G1 Golden Rose Field and Barrier Draw
Godolphin filly Tempted will take on eight colts in a nine horse Group One Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday where she retains favouritism after drawing barrier eight.
First trial success for Sword Of State
Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State was represented by an impressive trial winner when State Of Valour coasted to victory in his two-year-old heat over 730m at Te Rapa on Tuesday.
Seeking Slipper Success? Seek Sejardan
The Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes - the world's richest juvenile event and Australia's premier test of juvenile speed.
Wootton Bassett Sad Passing
Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires, has sadly passed away today at Coolmore Australia.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 22
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Third Trial Winner for Home Affairs – This Time New Zealand
Hot on the heels of siring two trial winners at Randwick on Monday at the official Sydney 2YO trials, Home Affairs produced an impressive trial winner at Te Rapa in New Zealand on Tuesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 23
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Well Bred Wootton Bassett Ready to Win
Regally bred colt Lydiard Park will have conditions more in his favour on Wednesday to add performance to his pedigree.
Tara Talks Racing - Trials and Racing
This week we’re talking trials after an insightful set of official 2YO trials in Sydney, plus some racing and how Fangirl will eventually go to stud with two Group I wins less on her resume than there should be.