Swettenham Stud's Toronado will have his Australian progeny racing as three year-olds
this season and it was one of his French bred three year-olds in Alwaab that
added to his tally with a win in the Listed Prix Nureyev at Deauville.Trained by Andre Fabre for Al Shaqab Racing, Alwaab won his debut at Chantilly in April and was then fourth and second at his next two runs before scoring a neck win to earn Black Type success in this 1m2f contest.
A 70,000 euro purchase from Arqana for Al Shaqab, Alwaab is from stakes-placed Lady Gorgeous, a half-sister to the dam of dual Group I winner Qemah.
Alwaab is the third stakes-winner for champion miler Toronado, who returns to Swettenham stud this spring at a fee of $27,500.
Free Eagle shuttled to Cornerstone Stud for three seasons and will have his first Australian bred two year-olds running this season, so while he's not making the trip to Australia this year there is still considerable interest in his progress.
His first winner was promising colt Justifier, who won easily at Leopardstown
in June and that colt is now also his first stakes-winner after taking out the
Listed Caravaggio Stakes in Ireland.Trained by Ger Lyons, Justifier raced to a length and a half win in the seven and a half furlong contest and is now two for two.
"Justifier is still green and he handled the ground but he'll get a furlong extra no problem. He's very game and we do like him. He had to run to 95-plus to win today and he did. We'll step him up in trip, he has plenty of ability and has done what we'd ask him to. We'll look for whatever Group race presents itself now," said Shane Lyons, assistant trainer.
A 60,000 guinea purchase from the Goffs Orby Sale, Justifier is the third winner from Pale Orchid, a half-sister by Invincible Spirit to Group I winner Kew Gardens from Group I winner Chelsea Rose.
Justifier is the first stakes-winner for Free Eagle, who had 19 yearlings sell in Australia this year for up to $250,000.Click here to see them.
