First winner by Americain

Swettenham Stud sire Americain (USA) is off to a perfect start at stud with his first runner Folk Magic winning on debut at Woodbine.

The Kentucky bred filly won her maiden by more than three lengths for managing owner Mark Polivka and trainer Mark Lynch on Saturday. She firmed from 6-1 into 7-2 before carving out the 1200m on turf in a slick 1.09.49s.

Settled right behind the leaders until the home turn, the Canadian-based filly sprinted clear in the straight despite racing greenly for jockey David Moran. “Folk Magic turns up the heat on her opposition,” Woodbine’s course commentator said at the furlong. “There’s a lot of education still needed but so much talent.”

Folk Magic (2f Americain – African Charm by Johannesburg) holds Breeders’ Cup engagements for Keeneland later this year and she is from an unraced half-sister to German Group 3 winner Chan Chan (Spinning World) and the dam of Lily Rules (Aussie Rules) who was runner-up in the G3 Musidora Stakes at York in 2014.

Winning owner Mark Polivka was a shareholder in Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and he purchased the Americain filly after she was passed in by breeder Richard Forbush at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Americain (Dynaformer) reached a career-peak winning the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) but his quick start at stud didn’t surprise Swettenham owner Adam Sangster. “He was a two year-old winner at Chantilly and had an awesome turn of foot. Dynaformer was a brilliant miler and there’s speed on his dam’s side through Arazi.”

Swettenham stands Americain for a $13,750 (inc gst) service fee. His first Victorian-bred yearlings sold to $130,000 at the Melbourne Premier in March.