Following the exploits of the outstanding filly Alizee, champion racehorse Sepoy may have found another horse to resurrect his stallion career.
Marcel From Madrid made it two wins from as many starts when leading home a Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra quinella in Saturday's $200,000 Group III National Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
A half-brother to ATC Derby winner Levendi, Marcel From Madrid was made a Breednet One To Watch when he scored on debut at Benalla on April 27.
Settled towards the rear of the field by Damian Lane, Marcel From Madrid stormed home to defeat Aristia (Lonhro) by one and three-quarter lengths, with a half-length back to the favourite Tequila Time (Stratum) in third.
Simon Zahra said both the winner and runner-up will now be spelled with the Caulfield Guineas the aim for Marcel From Madrid while the filly Aristia will target the 1000 Guineas.
"We've always had a pretty big opinion of him and he's been touted as our best two-year-old," Zahra said.
"He doesn't know a lot so we brought him over for a good trip away to hopefully grow him up for the spring.
"They'll go to the paddock and both head for the spring.
A $58,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase from the Widden Stud draft for Pacific Bloodstock, Marcel from Madrid (pictured as a yearling) is the third winner from three foals to race from stakes-placed Redoute's Choice mare Lipari, a daughter of Group I SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder.
Lipari was consigned by Widden to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale last year where she was purchased for $170,000 by Olly Tait of Twin Hills Stud.
Widden Stud also sold the current yearling from Lipari, a filly by Sebring, for $500,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
She produced a filly by More Than Ready (USA) for her new owner last spring
Marcel from Madrid becomes the ninth stakes-winner for Sepoy, who has been switched to Darley Victoria this spring and will stand at a fee of $11,000.
