A Prince Of Arran Earns Golden Ticket to Melbourne Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday November 3

Third in the Herbert Power Stakes behind ruling Cup favourite Yucatan, the Charlie Fellowes-trained A Prince Of Arran (GB) needed to win Saturday's $300,000 Group III Lexus Stakes to earn a spot in next Tuesday's Melbourne Cup and he did just that.

With Michael Walker giving the British import a positive ride, A Prince Of Arran (GB) held the challenge of Brimham Rocks (GB) by a half-length to hand that Chris Waller-trained daughter of Fastnet Rock her 8th placing from as many starts since arriving from England.

Jaameh (IRE) was one and three-quarter lengths back in third. (photo Grant Courtney)

Advertisement

The 32yo Fellowes, who spent a year working with Lee Freedman, said the 6yo son of Shirocco had given him the thrill of a lifetime.


"Plans don't often come off like they did there but he has been in great form and he travelled over here so well. The girl that is leading him up, Natasha, has done the most unbelievable job with him all year, even in the beginning in Dubai," Fellows said.

"I just can't believe we are in the big one on Tuesday.

"That's the biggest win of my career, it's the first Group win of my career and to win on a massive day like today is huge.

"This was our derby. This was the race we needed to win and anything from now on is a bonus.

"We'll freshen him up, hopefully, he comes out of it good, and we'll give it our best shot on Tuesday."

A Prince Of Arran (GB) arrived in Australia of the back of placings in the Grade II Belmont Gold Cup in America and Northumberland Plate at Newcastle. But he was registering his first stakes win in the Lexus.

The late, great German stallion Monsun has sired the winners of three of the last five Melbourne Cups and A Prince Of Arran's sire Shirocco would rate as one of Monsun's best sons.

His seven wins included the 2005 Breeders' Cup Turf, the Coronation Stakes and the German Derby.

A Prince Of Arran becomes his 33rd stakes winner.

The dam of A Prince Of Arran, Storming Sioux, a daughter of Machiavellian's 4-time Group 1 winning son Storming Home, is a three-quarter sister to Group 1 Longchamp Prix d'Ispahan winner Best Of The Bests out of the Group III Fred Darling Stakes winner Sueboog (Darshaan).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday September 18
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Anders 3YO Bright Future
An $80,000 NZB Ready to Run purchase for Cumani Racing last year, Anders gelding Single Choice is working towards repaying his purchase price after recording his second win from just four starts at Bendigo on Wednesday.
Liefting Rewarded with Another Promising Filly
Rudy Liefting gave up the opportunity to train subsequent Group One winner Grail Seeker a few years ago, and he is being rewarded for his selflessness with the rise of another exciting filly.
China Horse Owners Alliance named new Inglis China Representative
Inglis is thrilled to announce the China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA) as the company’s new China Representative.
Blueblood Mares Produce Blueblood Foals!
Coolmore have made some high profile broodmare purchases in recent years that have delivered some stellar results in the sale ring and the arrival of a couple of foal images to the Breednet Foal Gallery will have the sales companies salivating ahead of the 2027 yearling sales!
Official Sydney 2YO Trials – Sale Mail
We know spring is really here when the official Sydney 2YO barrier trials arrive and at Randwick next Monday on the Kensington track we will see nine heats over 850m starting at 9am, read on to see full Sale Mail for all heats.
Tajana Ready for G3 Sunline Vase
Fresh is best for top quality three-year-old Tajana who has thrived since her impressive return to competition last month.
One to Watch – Kembla
A half-brother to Group I winning sprinter and $2.1million earner Benedetta, King’s Legacy colt Whatalegacy made it two wins in as many starts when he scorched the turf at Kembla on Thursday.
Smart New Winner for Doubtland
Passed in and retained to race by Widden Stud, promising filly Sassy for Sure broke the ice at Mornington on Thursday to credit her young sire Doubtland with a new winner.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday September 17
Here is the full list of 34 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.