First Winner for Equiano

Swettenham Stud shuttler Equiano sired his first winner on Tuesday when Moving Melody scored on debut at the Newcastle (UK) twilight meeting.

The Richard Fahey trained filly tracked short-priced favourite Bahamian Art and kept up a keen gallop to win the ESH Group Fillies Maiden Stakes (1000m) by three-quarters of a length. “We bought her at Goffs and she has a nice way of going,” Fahey said. “We like her and were hoping she could make a promising debut.”

Moving Melody (2f Equiano - Luxuria by Kheleyf) is raced by Fahey’s major clients Helen and Norman Steel and cost 38,000 euros (AUD 49,655) at the 2013 Goffs February Sale. She was offered by Trickledown Stud and is from Lingfield winner Luxuria.

The dam is a half-sister to LR National Stakes winner Sweepstake who is by Equiano’s sire Acclamation. Equiano’s first starter Macarthurs Park had been runner-up at Brighton last Thursday and Fujiano put in an eye-catching run on debut at Bath on Monday. Fujiano dumped her jockey in the saddling paddock and jumped awkwardly from the outside gate. She was soon 20 lengths adrift but flew home to be beaten in a photo for third!

Equiano (Fr) was a dual Group 1 winner of the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and he was the star of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale last month. His first southern crop yearlings averaged $105,200 during Session 1 topped by a record-breaking $420,000 colt that will be trained at Caulfield by Mick Price. Equiano’s service fee will remain unchanged at $15,000 (plus gst) this year. “We have already commenced taking bookings so an early announcement was essential,” Swettenham Stud owner Adam Sangster said. “We are grateful that so many new clients have made enquiries and we also want to support those breeders who have already sent mares to Equiano.”