San Antonio (Dubawi) threw himself into Classic contention on Thursday 11 May with a convincing victory in the Listed Dee Stakes, run over 10.5 furlongs at Chester.
Always prominent under Ryan Moore, San Antonio took the lead as they rounded the final turn and kept to his task superbly to win by a length and three quarters from the fast-finishing Alder.
San Antonio holds entries in both the English and French Derbies, together with the King Edward at Royal Ascot, with his trainer Aidan O’Brien indicating that a decision will be made on which route he will take shortly.
Bred by Coolmore, San Antonio is one of two winners from two foals to race out of the Group-winning Galileo mare Rain Goddess, who also finished second in the G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Pretty Polly. She is herself a granddaughter of G1 1,000 Guineas winner Virginia Waters.
He becomes the 17th individual Black Type winner this year for Dubawi, also sire in 2023 of G1-winning duo Lord North and In Italian, plus G2 winners Al Suhail, Master Of The Seas and Valiant Prince.
