Goodwood black-type success for Celebre

25th September 2008

The Mark Johnston-trained Hearthstead Maison (4c Peintre Celebre-Pieds De Plume, by Seattle Slew) dead-heated for first place in the Listed Foundation Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday to give Peintre Celebre more black-type glory.

The gutsy four-year-old finished strongly to reach the long-time leader Tranquil Tiger on the line. The pair were seven lengths clear of the rest of the field in the 10-furlong contest.

"Every time I looked at it I thought he was second, so it is great to win," said Johnston’s assistant Jock Bennett.

Hearthstead Maison, who was bred by Tetsu Nakata, also tasted black-type glory in last season’s G3 Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown.

Meanwhile the Aga Khan’s home-bred Peintre Celebre filly Katiyra (3f Peintre Celebre-Katiykha, by Darshaan) is set to bid for first Group 1 success in the G1 Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp next weekend.

John Oxx’s charge, who finished third in the G1 Oaks at Epsom in June, looked better than ever when running away with the G2 Blandford Stakes on her latest start.

"We are looking at the G1 Prix de l'Opera for her now and I think she deserves to take her chance after her impressive win in the Blandford Stakes last time," said Oxx. "She does handle soft ground and if the ground is going to be on the firm side of good in France, I'm not sure we would run. But as long as it's not too quick, we will let her take her chance."