Elm Park another first for Breeder Emma Balding

The two-year-old looked briefly tapped for toe when the six-strong field quickened, but once into his stride powered to the front and showed no signs of stopping when passing the post a length to the good from favourite Nafaqa. The pair were four lengths clear of third-placed Salateen.

Elm Park, who was ridden by Andrea Atzeni, is now owned in partnership with Kingsclere Racing, a syndicate which campaigned him prior to yesterday's victory. He is the second Stakes winner produced by breeder Emma Balding of Kingclere Stud to be purchased by Sheikh Fahad. The first, Side Glance, won last year's Gr.1 Mackinnon Stakes in Australia and is now back in that country following a flight last week. He could defend his Mackinnon title and also has the Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes on his agenda.

Sheikh Fahad (second left), jockey Andrea Atzeni and Kingsclere Racing members

Andrew Balding, Emma's son and the trainer of both horses, said: "It's great to have a proper horse. My mother bred Elm Park, as she did with Side Glance, and I think that was what attracted Sheikh Fahad to buying him, because he had bought a good one from her.

Andrew Balding
Trains Elm Park

"The ground was quick enough for him today. Probably on this track, he either wants it further on fast ground or, if we are going a mile - which we will once more - he will want slower ground."

Balding has some big races in mind for Elm Park, including next year's Investec Derby at Epsom. He said: "I think we can treat him as a Derby contender. Every year the Royal Lodge winner is worthy of consideration. He is in the [Gr.1] Racing Post Trophy. At the end of the day it is Sheikh Fahad's decision, but I'd be keen to go that way."

In other races at Newmarket yesterday the brilliant Tiggy Wiggy confirmed her place as Europe's premier juvenile filly when landing the Gr.1 Cheveley Park Stakes, but Qatar Racing's Terror put up a terrific performance to finish fourth on just her second outing. The first three - Tiggy Wiggy, Royal Ascot winner Anthem Alexander, and classy French filly High Celebrity - had run in 14 races between them before the Cheveley Park, so Terror, whose only prior racecourse appearance had resulted in an easy win by ten lengths, faced a daunting task.

Finishing just three and a half lengths behind the very experienced winner was a fine effort by Terror, who is trained by David Simcock.

Elm Park pictures Laurence Squire