Listed glory for Royal Applause juvenile

After twice being placed in Group contests, Hoyam notched her first stakes win with victory in the Listed Roses Stakes over five furlongs at York.

The two-year-old daughter of Royal Applause led home Fire Eyes, by Exceed And Excel, who notched his first piece of black type on only his second racecourse start.

Bred by Brook Stud Bloodstock Ltd, Hoyam has a pedigree which boasts plenty of speed, being out of the Danetime mare Christmas Tart, herself a winner over the minimum trip at two.

Hoyam was bought by her trainer Michael Bell for 55,000gns at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale in April. She ran second on debut in May before heading straight to Royal Ascot where she was runner-up to Ceiling Kitty in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes. She broke her maiden at Windsor in early July before returning to Ascot and stepping up a furlong to take third in the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes later that month.

Royal Applause, who stands at the Royal Studs in Norfolk, has a proven track record with smart juveniles and is responsible for the likes of Molecomb Stakes winner Finjaan and Albany Stakes winner Habaayib. However, that is far from the extent of his talents as his offspring also include three battle-hardened American performers – dual Grade One winner Ticker Tape and the multiple Graded stakes winners Battle Of Hastings and Whatsthescript – and the highly impressive young sire Acclamation.