A new Star for Shirocco

Shirocco took his number of Black type horses into double figures on 9 May, when his three-year-old daughter Good Morning Star took the Listed Cheshire Oaks on the opening day of Chester’s May Meeting.

Settled towards the rear under Frannie Norton, Good Morning Star travelled well despite the testing conditions and picked up well close to home to pip favourite Betterbetterbetter on the line and win by a short head.

Trained by Mark Johnston, the filly broke her maiden earlier this year and was making her Stakes debut today. Her owner Dr Marwan Koukash indicated after the race that she may step up in class again for her next start, with the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot possibly her next start.

Bred by Wardstown Stud, Good Morning Star is out of the Stakes-placed Beat Hollow mare Hollow Ridge, herself a daughter of G1 Irish Oaks winner Bolas.

Shirocco is also sire of G1 colt Arrigo, G2 winner Grand Vent, plus St Leger second Brown Panther – due to make his seasonal reappearance in the G3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester this Friday.

Shirocco stands at Dalham Hall Stud at a fee of £7,000 October 1st Special live foal.