The Darley first-season sires Dawn Approach and Epaulette have both had timely winners as attention in Australia turns to yearling sales and feature two-year-old races.
Condemned got things rolling in the Two-Year-Old Handicap at Warwick Farm on 23 December with a win that put Dawn Approach securely into second place on the national First Season Sires list, at the same time giving the colt a perfect start to his career.
One of the best to begin from a wide gate, Condemned travelled kindly to the home turn where jockey Corey Brown called on him.
Despite his inexperience, Condemned raced truly and responded strongly when challenged to score by a long neck.
Condemned is the third runner and third winner from his dam, the Listed winner Only She Can.
His victory follows that of Godolphin stablemate Gongs, Dawn Approach’s first Australian winner, who has won at her only two starts.
Epaulette had his first Australian success when Katy’s Daughter brilliantly won the Aquis Farm Ladies Day Handicap at the Gold Coast, placing herself under consideration for next month’s $2 million Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic run at the same track.
Katy’s Daughter is out of the Listed winner Kiss Me Katy with both mother and daughter bred and raced by Joe Rapisarda.
A third Darley-sired two-year-old winner for the day landed at Gawler, South Australia, when Chicago Typewriter, a son of Street Boss, was successful on debut.
Dawn Approach will stand the coming northern hemisphere season at a fee of €20,000, Special Live Foal at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.
Epaulette, who had 22 winners from his first European Crop, stands at the same farm at a fee of €7,000, Special Live Foal.
