The 2-year-old colt Knighthood (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) became Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's first Australian yearling purchase to win in its silks Down Under when posting a debut victory for Team Hawkes at Geelong on Tuesday. Knighthood was bought by John and Jake Warren for A$210,000 at last year's Inglis Easter sale.
While the bay is Highclere's first domestically purchased winner, the operation has also enjoyed success Down Under with imports like Opinion (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), winner of the 2014 G1 The Metropolitan and last month's Stayers Cup at Randwick; and Libran (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed in April.
Harry Herbert, Chairman of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said, “Australia has always been an evolving target market for us as horse racing is such a popular sport over there and we also have a number of international syndicate shareowners. Knighthood's very impressive debut victory and some notable wins by Libran and Opinion recently has ensured an excellent start for us in Australia. We have also just purchased Regal Monarch, who will run at the Qatar Goodwood Festival before joining Chris Waller in Australia at the end of the year.”
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