One Smoking Cat

7th June 2008

There have been four black-type juvenile races so far this year in Britain and unbelievably three of those have now been won by the progeny of One Cool Cat. It would be a remarkable record for any stallion, let alone one represented by his first-crop of two-year-olds this year.

One Cool Cat's latest success - and his fourth individual black-type winner - came at Epsom on Derby Day when Smokey Storm (2c One Cool Cat-Marisa, by Desert Sun) landed the Listed Woodcote Stakes.

The William Jarvis-trained winner had previously been second at Goodwood to subsequent Listed National Stakes winner Icesolator (2c One Cool Cat-Zinnia, by Zilzal) and skipped clear of the field at Epsom to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

"I'm really thrilled and it was a very impressive performance. He is pretty progressive and I thought he put this race to bed one-and-a-half lengths from home," said Jarvis. "I know the owners are keen to go to Ascot. I won't be quite so keen and will have to do some explaining to them! Historically, horses have a bad record going on to Royal Ascot after winning the Woodcote.

"He is in a G2 (the Railway Stakes at the Curragh) in Ireland on June 29 which might be the next race for him. He is a very tough horse - very professional - and well bought for 22,000gns by Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock. It is lovely to have a winner on Derby Day and I'm delighted."

Smokey Storm, who was bred by P V and J P Jackson, follows Icesolator, Diglett (2c One Cool Cat-Rich Gift, by Cadeaux Genereux), winner of the Listed Premio Alberto Giubilo in Rome on Monday and Listed Hilary Needler Stakes winner Knavesmire (2f One Cool Cat-Caribbean Escape, by Pivotal) as One Cool Cat's black-type winners so far.