Authorized continues remarkable run for Sadler’s Wells

Even by his own exalted standards, it has been a remarkable couple of weeks for Sadler’s Wells and his sons.

Authorized (3c Montjeu-Funsie by Saumarez)’s brilliant victory in the G2 Dante Stakes at York on Thursday gives Sadler’s Wells’ son Montjeu another leading classic contender.

Peter Chapple-Hyam’s charge, who was bred by Marengo Investments, Knighton House Ltd and Michael Kinane, is now a red-hot favourite to give his sire a second G1 Epsom Derby success in three years.

Last week, another Montjeu colt - Anton Chekhov (3c Montjeu-By Charter by Shirley Heights), bred by the Barnett family - advertised his own Derby credentials when winning the G2 Prix Hocquart at Longchamp from the Sadler’s Wells colt Royal And Regal (3c Sadler's Wells-Smart ‘n Noble by Smarten).

Another of Sadler’s Wells’ outstanding stallion sons - Galileo - has also been making his mark in no uncertain fashion.

Sixties Icon (4c Galileo-Love Divine by Diesis), bred by Lordship Stud, spearheaded a first-crop Classic 1-2-3 for Galileo in the G1 St Leger last year and he looks set to make a big impact this season after easily winning the G2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket with the minimum of fuss.

Galileo has no shortage of Classic contenders this season, not least Soldier Of Fortune (3c Galileo-Affianced by Erins Isle), who won the G3 Chester Vase last Thursday. Bred by Jim Bolger and trained by Aidan O'Brien, the three-year-old battled on to beat the Sadler's Wells colt Arabian Gulf (3c Sadler’s Wells-Wince by Selkirk) - to whom he was giving 4lb - on the line.

Meanwhile at Gowran Park the previous Sunday, the Pegasus Racing-bred Mahler (3c Galileo-Rainbow Goddess by Rainbow Quest), justified odds-on favouritism to run away with the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Classic Trial by five lengths.

Lastly but by no means least the great Sadler’s Wells himself just keeps on producing those top-class winners.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Ask (4c Sadler’s Wells-Request by Rainbow Quest), bred by Side Hill Stud, looked destined for big things this year when leading home a 1-2-3 for Coolmore stallions in the G3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester last Friday. Scorpion (5c Montjeu-Ardmelody by Law Society) and Steppe Dancer (4c Fasliyev-Exemina by Slip Anchor) finished second and third.

Four days earlier Septimus (4c Sadler’s Wells-Caldira by Darshaan), bred in partnership by Barronstown Stud, marked himself a candidate for major honours this year with a victory in the G3 Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh.