Owners Weldspec Glasgow are dreaming of Royal Ascot success following SHARTASH’S Listed victory at Haydock Park on Saturday, 11th May.
The four-year-old won the Pertemps Network Spring Trophy Stakes by a comfortable neck from proven Pattern performer Pogo to book his place in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes next month.
Archie only began training the son of Invincible Spirit in the autumn after he was bought by Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman and Tom Biggs for 150,000 euros at the Arqana Arc Sale in France.
“He’s a proper horse and we’re delighted with his Listed win,” he says. “He was obviously good value at 150,000 euros and will go straight for the Jubilee now.
“We’ll aim him at all those six and seven-furlong Group races and Group 1’s after that as I think he can be versatile trip-wise, but he looked a real sprinter at Haydock. If you stopped the race at the furlong pole he’d won by three lengths,” adds Archie.
Formerly trained in Ireland by Johnny Murtagh, he won the Group 2 Railway Stakes as a juvenile but lost his way at three.
However, he made a perfect start for his new connections over seven furlongs at Thirsk in April under Luke Morris before stepping up in grade in some style in the North West.
“Gelding him has been the key,” explains his trainer. “I’ve never known more of a transformation with a horse for it and I hope there’s much more to come.
“I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to John and Max Wright of Weldspec Glasgow for having the faith in us and buying and sending him to us.”
“Josh Bryan gave him a great ride at Haydock and is a big part of our jockey team now. He is a very talented young rider and it’s fantastic to give him his first stakes winner.”
By Simon Mapletoft
