Three-year-old New Approach colt Ostilio has been a model of consistency since he first stepped onto the racecourse late last year, finishing first or second in all nine of his starts and on Saturday, 6 October he added a well-deserved first Group win to his CV when taking the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp.
Taking the lead after the first two furlongs, Simon Crisford’s charge was widest of all entering the home straight but once asked for his effort by Andrea Atzeni, kept to his task superbly to win by a length and three quarters. Fellow New Approach colt and G1 performer Hey Gaman put up another solid performance to take third.
Ostilio’s finest win prior to today was undoubtedly at this year’s Royal Ascot, where he led from pillar to post to land the Britannia Stakes.
A homebred for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum, Ostilio is out of the Stakes-placed Mark Of Esteem mare Reem Three, also dam of Teofilo’s G1-winning daughter Ajman Princess and fellow Black Type performer Cape Byron (Shamardal).
New Approach is enjoying a very successful year, thanks in no small part to Masar, who followed in his sire’s footsteps when winning the Derby. He is also sire of G2 winner Loxley, who finished a creditable second in the G2 Prix Dollar earlier in the afternoon.
There was also Stakes success for Shamardal, whose three-year-old daughter Di Fede won the Listed October Stakes at Ascot. The Ralph Beckett-trained filly was held up during the early stages of the seven-furlong contest but making headway two furlongs out, took the lead inside the final furlong and cruised clear to win by three and a half lengths.
Owned and bred by Robert Ng, Di Fede is out of Stakes performer Dibiya, making her a full sister to the very smart performer and multiple G1-placed Dibayani.
Shamardal also made his presence felt at Longchamp, as Godolphin filly Morgan le Faye put up an impressive performance to take third in the G1 Prix du Cadran.
