When trainers talk glowingly about a sire’s first crop it is well worth listening, and Slade Power is the latest stallion to catch the eye of some of Europe’s most astute judges.
Back in 2014, Slade Power carried all before him, winning Europe’s flagship six-furlong sprints, the Diamond Jubilee and Darley July Cup, before being crowned Europe’s Champion older sprinter.
Retired at the end of that season, he covered an excellent first book of 145 mares, with that first crop now taking their first steps towards the racecourse.
Richard Fahey has been impressed with what he has seen from his filly out of Blue Angel. An €80,000 yearling purchase at Tattersalls Ireland he said, “Smashing filly! She's done everything we have asked of her. Very professional, great attitude. About to step her up and I'm looking forward to seeing her on the track.”
Fledgling handler Richard Spencer is no stranger to seeing a good juvenile, having trained Rajasinghe to land the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2017 and he has been very impressed by his Slade Power colt named Louis Treize. Bought as a yearling for £120,000 from Doncaster, the son of Black Rodded was described as having “Great attitude, a very good mover, really excited about him for the summer. He's showing all the right signs. Hope to run him in May before Royal Ascot.”
Fellow Newmarket trainer Hugo Palmer has three Slade Powers and was quoted as saying “I like them all at this stage” before going into more detail on the colt out of Heart’s Desire saying, “Love him….He’s a lovely strong colt. He moves and carries himself well.”
Mark Johnston has four in training with his son Charlie declaring that he "has been the most eye-catching of the first season sires so far this year." One that has caught his eye is the half-brother to Royal Ascot G2-winning juvenile Buratino, out of the Kingmambo mare Bergamask, "Nice horse who is going well. He’ll do his first piece of fast work next week and I’d be hopeful he’ll be pretty early. I like him."
Over the Irish Sea, Gordon Elliott, who trained G1 juvenile Beckford last season, has a son of the Noverre mare Party Feet. He has been very impressed and waxed lyrical about his charge, saying, “He’s a gorgeous horse. He’s developed well and he’s a fine big horse. We’re hoping he’ll be out in May or June. He’s doing everything right.”
With other trainers of Slade Power juveniles including Karl Burke, Mick Channon, Tom Dascombe, William Haggas, Charlie Hills, Eddie Lynam, Martyn Meade, Jean-Claude Rouget and Kevin Ryan, the future certainly looks rosy for this exciting young stallion.
