After his first three starts, it looked likely that Earlswood’s (GB) claim to fame was to be the last runner saddled up by the legendary John Oxx.
But the son of Pivotal thrived under Johnny Murtagh, winning first-up in a mile maiden at Navan at three.
It encouraged connections to have a shot at the Listed Chester Dee Stakes, a traditional Derby lead-up. Earlswood (GB) clocked in third behind El Drama and the future John O’Shea import Maximal (GB).
Three lengths behind Earlswood (GB) in fourth place was the Dubawi colt Yibir who closed out last season with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar.
At his next start Earlswood (GB) captured the Group III Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh before finishing a well-beaten fourth behind Frankel’s top-class son Hurricane Run in the Irish Derby.
Earlswood (GB) was back in the winner’s circle at his next start in the Group III Royal Whip Stakes over 10f at the Curragh. Murtagh saddled the Pivotal entire up for the final time last September in the Group III Paddy Power Stakes over a mile and a half at Leopardstown, where he finished sixth.
A 62,000gns pinhook by Bobby O’Ryan from the Cheveley Park Stud consignment at the2018 December Foal Sale, Earlswood (GB) was in the Peter Nolan Bloodstock draft at the 2019 Goffs Orby Sale.
He caught the eye of Glyn and Jane Davies, who shelled out €160,000 for the son of Pivotal.
The Davies divided their time between Ireland and Australia and sent Earlswood (GB) to join their Bendigo Cup winner Wentwood (GB) at Maddie Raymond’s stable at Warrnambool.
The 4yo made the best possible start in his adopted country with a fighting win in Saturday’s Group III T.S. Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield.
With Damian Lane in the saddle, Earlswood (GB) defeated the triple Group 1 winner Callsign Mav (Atalante) by a short-head with the Melbourne Cup third Spanish Mission (USA) a half-neck further back in third.
“We’re over the moon today. We’ve come here without a jump out so he’s got plenty of improvement left in the tank,” Raymond said.
“We’re so lucky to get a horse like this through Jane Davies. We’ve got Wentwood (GB) and now a classy colt like this. Very exciting going forward.
“The ($5million) All-Star Mile is a little bit tempting. He’s sharp enough today to win here but we’ve got to get the votes.
“We’ll have a chat with Damian and the owners. We could go to a Blamey potentially and then the All-Star Mile - take the risk of him getting in.
“I think he’s an ideal Australian Cup candidate.”
A son of Cheveley Park Stud’s sadly missed Pivotal, Earlswood (GB) is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the Galileo mare Fields Of miracles who was runner-up in the Group II Royal Ascot Ribblesdale Stakes, and Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial Stakes.
She is a sister to the dual Listed winner Cameron Highland and half-sister to dual Group III winner Solid Stone (Shamardal).
