Nathaniel’s run of Stakes success continues

29/05/2021

Nathaniel’s run of Stakes success continued with Spirit Ridge outstaying his rivals to win the Gr.3 Premier’s Cup over 2400m at Eagle Farm in Australia today for trainer Mark Newnham.

It was his second Gr.3 victory having won the Gr.3 Heineken Summer Cup at Randwick last December, following up with success in the Listed January Cup over 2000m at Randwick in January this year.

Jockey Josh Parr said: “We got there just in time and I am so happy to win on him. He’s a lovely horse, he tries so hard. I was glad when the speed came into the race down the back, it was just a matter of being patient then and he took me the rest of the way.”

Since arriving in Australia, Spirit Ridge has quickly adapted to the local racing scene and provided lots of fun for his syndicate of owners. Bred by Juddmonte Farms the six-year-old gelding is out of the multiple Gr.1 winning mare Tates Creek (Rahy). He sold to De Burgh Equine/Darby Racing for 100,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn HIT sales in 2019.

Last week Nathaniel sired two new Stakes winners in as many days with Bubble Gift landing the Gr.2 Prix Hocquart following Nationalista‘s Stakes victory the day before also in France. Plus earlier this month Lady Bowthorpe and Mutamakina won and were placed in Gr.2 races respectively.