Darley shuttler Territories (IRE) is slated to return to their Aberdeen base in NSW this spring at the modest fee of $11,000 and was making news overnight with two smart winners.
First to strike was talented filly Rougir at Saint-Cloud in France, who was winning her second race in as many starts.
After looking for racing room early in the straight, the Cedric Rossi trained filly showed devastating acceleration to win going away by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Rougir is from stakes-placed Elusive City mare Summer Moon. She was a private sale as a foal and was later sold as a yearling for €55,000 at Arqana August.
Less than half-an-hour later the Ralph Beckett trained William Bligh struck at Haydock Park, relishing the ease in the ground to win easily by three-and-a-quarter lengths as favourite.
Making his third career start, he bounced out of the stalls and never saw another rival under jockey Harry Bentley.
Bought for 50,000 guineas by his trainer from Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale, William Bligh is a half-brother to stakes-placed Bellajeu and Lat Hawill being the fifth winner from good producing stakes-winner Arbella, a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Group I winner Primo Valentino.
Territories has now sired four winners from his first crop of Northern Hemisphere bred two year-olds.
A Group I winning miler by Invincible Spirit, Territories is from the family of champion sires Shamardal and Street Cry, as well this season’s Group I Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Victor Ludorum.
The first Australian progeny of Territories will race next season and have sold as yearlings for up to $350,000.
