With a $500,000 prize, the Listed TABtouch-Placid Ark Stakes drew a field of promising 3-year-olds at Ascot on Saturday, and the winner looks a bit special.
The Sean and Jake Casey trained Wind And The Lion was put on ice after a stunning three lengths win on debut at Belmont at his only start at two.
Making his seasonal debut after a 17-week break, the son of Written By was agitated in the parade ring and had little luck in the Placid Ark Prelude when hung out on a limb from an outside barrier.
With Chris Parnham in the saddle on Saturday, Wind And The Lion spotted the leaders three lengths at the 100m before unleashing a withering burst to defeat the Headwater filly London's Image with the Churchill filly Golden Vale back in third.
"We set him for this race, and pulling it off is great," Jake Casey said.
"I think the occasion got to him a bit last start, but he was more composed today.
"Chris is riding super at the moment and he knows the horse well.
"He is nominated for the Winterbottom and he will be taking part, all going well."
Raced by Wally Daly, Wind and The Lion was a $62,500 Magic Millions Book 2 purchase from Riverdene Stud for Shaun Nolen. He was re-offered at the Magic Millions 2YO's in Training Sale, where he made $200,000 for JCS Thoroughbreds when bought by Hancock Quality Bloodstock.
Wind and the Lion is the first and only foal for Mandalong Sera, a winning half-sister by Sebring to the dam of Group I winner Attrition and stakes-winner Royal Rumble.
The 3-year-old gelding is the fourth stakes-winner for Written By, who stands at Widden this spring at a fee of $22,000.
