Ardad’s sensational first season with runners took another big step forward on Sunday when Perfect Power became his first Group 1 winner in the Darley Prix Morny in Deauville.
Trained by Richard Fahey for Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, Perfect Power already held the distinction of being Ardad’s first Group winner after landing the G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on his third start. He has now won three of his five races.
Speaking after the race, winning jockey Christophe Soumillon said: “I just pushed the button and he went. This horse is a machine.”
Like his sire, Perfect Power was bought at the Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale by Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock and special congratulations must go to the O’Callaghan family at Tally-Ho Stud, who bred and consigned both father and son.
The day’s success wasn’t confined to France as Ardad had an impressive new winner in Ireland at Naas, taking his tally to 17 individual winners. The latest, Ernest Rutherford, was bred in Britain by Scarlett Knipe and her late husband Robin. He was making just his second start for trainer Michael O’Callaghan, who bought him at the Goresbridge Breeze-up Sale from Knockanglass Stables for £47,000.
Winning jockey Leigh Roche was full of praise after Ernest Rutherford’s victory and said on Racing TV: “He’s a smart horse. I knew a furlong or two out it was in the bag. He showed us today what he is capable of and I still think he can improve again from this and I think he’s going to step up now to Group races. He’s one to look forward to.”
