Oaklands Stud based Power (GB) has had a benchmark year with two Group I winners in Europe in Laws of Indices and Helvic Dream, but showed his versatility over the weekend when his four year-old gelding Sonnyboyliston staked a Melbourne Cup claim winning the prestigious £500,000 Ebor Handicap (1m6f) at York.
Trained by Johnny Murtagh and ridden by Ben Coen, Sonnyboyliston has been in great form this year proving competitive in Group III events and winning a Listed race at Limerick.
Sonnyboyliston was strong to the line winning by a head and taking his overall record to five wins and three placings from 13 starts.
“The last time Sonnyboyliston ran here he ran very well. They went slow and he got outpaced but I loved the way he came home. Ronan Whelan said he would come on for the run, which gave us great confidence,” said Johnny Murtagh.
“The Melbourne Cup had been the next plan but I have him in the Irish St Leger and we'll have to seriously think about that first.”
Bought for 26,000 euros by his trainer from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, Sonnyboyliston has certainly proven a great investment for his owners the Kildare Racing Club.
Sonnyboyliston is the first winner from tough staying winner Miss Macnamara, a half-sister by Dylan Thomas to Group III winner Karamela and stakes-winner Gemstone.
A brilliant sprinter miler by Oasis Dream, Power is a versatile sire that has left 21 stakes-winners worldwide and is exceptional value at Oaklands Stud this spring at a fee of $13,200.
