Equiano four-timer by 14 lengths

Swettenham Stud shuttler Equiano (Fr) has sired four new winners in the last week and they’ve scored by a combined 14 lengths!

The Darren Weir trained first-starter Equietto completed the four-timer in the Ace Radio Maiden Plate (1100m) at Horsham on Sunday. He jumped straight to the lead and cruised home in a display that created plenty of interest from a future perspective.

“He was extremely professional and won as he liked,” Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock manager Darren Dance said. “I’m not sure of the quality behind him but you can’t ask for much more than that on debut. He’s above-average and we will find a Super VOBIS race for him at the provincials or maybe even go to town.”

Equietto was a $20,000 buy as a foal at the 2013 Inglis Great Southern Sale. Swettenham sold him as agent for Newsells Park who stand Equiano in England.

His dam Tintoretto (Commands) won at Warwick Farm carrying the all cerise colours of Woodlands Stud. She is a half-sister to G2 Expressway Stakes winner Hockney and is closely related to Platelet.

Platelet also raced in Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s distinctive fluorescent yellow silks and her career was highlighted by Group 1 triumphs in the Goodwood Hcp and Robert Sangster Stakes.

“Equietto has taken a while to come to hand as did Platelet,” Dance explained. “She was a real improver with age and I think that’s the key to the family.”

Equiano’s winning week commenced with Apriano (Cranbourne) before Black Diamond Girl (Kilmore) and French Amour (Murray Bridge) both came to the party with four-length victories.

The Swettenham Stud shuttler is a Top 10 stallion on the Australian second-season premiership with 12 individual winners of $337,878.

Equiano is also finishing his second season in Great Britain with a flourish. He has sired 41 individual winners and they have won a total of 64 races to put him comfortably ahead of Zebedee (60), Paco Boy (50) and Makfi (49).