First British winner for dual Cup hero Dunaden

Dunaden, the triple Gr. 1 winner owned by Pearl Bloodstock, sired his first UK winner when Sweet Pearl won at Kempton on Wednesday.

Dunaden gave Sheikh Fahad one of his best day's in racing when winning the 2011 Melbourne Cup - he'd later add the Hong Kong Vase and Caulfield Cup to his CV - and therefore it was especially important that Qatar Racing would give the sire his first winner in Britain.

It happened on Wednesday evening when Oisin Murphy drove Sweet Pearl to a cosy success in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes. The filly's trainer Richard Hannon will be pleased with himself for getting in Sheikh Fahad's good books!

Unsurprisingly given her sire's exploits over two miles, Sweet Pearl looked a strong stayer over the mile and will be even better when tackling further. That could be this year as there's the mile-and-a-quarter Listed Zetland Stakes on October 13, but first she's a possible for the Gr. 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on September 13 - we won the race last year with Rich Legacy, who is now part of the broodmare band at Tweenhills.

Just like Dunaden himself, his runners so far have shown fantastic attitudes, which bodes very well for the future. Dunaden stands at Overbury Stud in Gloucestershire for £3,000, which already looks great value!

Photo: www.richardhannonracing.co.uk