Heroic Hartnell takes the G1 BMW in Australia

Hartnell became the fourth G1 winner for his sire Authorized, with a thrilling victory in the G1 The BMW at Rosehill, Australia on 28 March.

Relocated to Australia from the UK late last year, Hartnell opened his southern hemisphere career with a close second to stablemate Contributer in the G1 Chipping Norton Stakes, before landing the G3 Sky HIgh Stakes on his last start. Today, Hartnell relaxed beautifully just off the speed in the early stages. Jockey James McDonald took the four-year-old to the centre of the track on straightening and Hartnell responded strongly, prevailing in an absorbing battle over the final furlong with highly-rated Japanese stayer To The World.

This was his seventh career victory and fourth at Black type level, having also won the Queen's Vase at last year's Royal Ascot and the G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last July.

Bred by Darley, Hartnell is out of the winning Anabaa mare Debonnaire, making him a half-brother Teofilo’s G1 performer Roz. He joins Ambivalent, Complacent and Seal Of Approval as G1 winners for Authorized who is standing at Haras du Logis at a fee of €10,000 (October 1st SLF).