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William Bligh breaks maiden at Haydock

The Ralph Beckett-trained William Bligh (2 c ex Arbella by Primo Dominie) broke his maiden at the third time of asking and in the process handed Darley shuttler Territories (Invincible Spirit) with his fourth first-crop winner and also brought up a double on the day for the stallion as Rougir retained her unbeaten record at Saint-Cloud. 

Last seen running second at Newmarket, the two-year-old colt put his previous racecourse experience to good use, leading all the way to beat Rival (Iffraaj) by three and a half lengths with Forest Falcon (Raven’s Pass) another five lengths away in third. 

The colt was purchased by his trainer for 50,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2019, having made 25,000gns when purchased by Rabbah Bloodstock at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale the year before. 

He is out of Listed winner Arbella (Primo Dominie), making him a three-quarters brother to stakes-placed Lat Hawill (Invincible Spirit), while he is also a half-brother to Bellajeu (Montjeu), who was also placed at Listed level. 

The colt’s third dam is Yorkshire Oaks (Gr 1, 1m3.5f) winner Connaught Bridge (Connaught), who produced Conmaiche (Kings Lake), while she is also the grandam of Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) winner Primo Valentino (Primo Dominie) and Group 2 winner Dora Carrington (Sir Pekan). 

Dora Carrington herself is the dam of Colin Stephen Handicap (Gr 3, 2400m) winner Julienas (Cape Cross), who also finished second in the Metropolitan Handicap (Gr 1, 2400m). 

William Bligh joins the aforementioned Rougir, Terrible Land and Uncle Jumbo as the stallion’s other first crop winners, while he is also the sire of Listed-placed Fulgentia. The son of Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) is set to stand at Darley Kelvinside at a fee of $11,000 (inc GST) in 2020.