Qatar Bloodstock makes a mark on two continents

He bought the day's most celebrated horse, a yearling son of Deep Impact (pictured) out of Fillies' Mile winner Listen, a daughter of Sadler's Wells and closely related to a host of top-class performers including Henrythenavigator. Offered by the Yoshida family's Northern Farm, the colt was knocked down for Yen 260,000,000 (about £1.5m).
Sheikh Fahad gives his new purchase a pat

Crafty's victory for Robert Smerdon's stable in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final was a landmark win for the Sheikh's interest in Australian bloodstock and racing. His Pearl Bloodstock has enjoyed top-grade success in Australia with Dunaden, but only tasted his first Australian-trained winner in August last year when Driving Louise won a maiden - Crafy's success, in a Stakes race with a home-bred, lifts the bar a little higher.

A daughter of Manhattan Rain, Crafty landed the $120,000 first prize at Flemington on Saturday.

After winning by a nose, jockey Mark Zahra told Australia's Thoroughbred News: "She did a good job today. I let her be where she wanted today and she hit the line strongly. I think she will get further, she's a filly with a lovely temperament, so I think she will improve."

Crafty (ex Spirited Dancer by Sadler's Wells) has now won two of five starts - she was bought for $150,000 by David Redvers at the 2013 Inglis Easter Sale where she was offered by her breeder Arrowfield Stud.