SPECIAL mention on a weekend of so many great performances has to go to the eight-year-old Limato. He made his seasonal debut a winning one in the Group 3 Betway Criterion Stakes at Newmarket and brought his career earnings to €1.73 million.

A credit to trainer Henry Candy, he has provided his breeders Seamus ‘Shem’ and Terese Phelan with many great days to remember. How exciting that the couple have a yearling full-sister by the Rathbarry stallion Tagula (Taufan).

A £41,000 yearling buy by Peter and Ross Doyle. Limato was the champion older sprinter in Europe four years ago when he won the Group 1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket, a track where he excels. Five of his eight group wins, among 14 career victories, have been gained there. He is, of course, also a Group 1 winner of the Prix de la Foret in Chantilly.

Limato is the best of three winners for his dam Come April (Singspiel), a three-year-old winner on her debut and only start when trained by Sir Mark Prescott. She was a bargain when the Phelan’s gave just £3,800 for her as a five-year-old.

The dual Group 1 winner is her first living produce and her subsequent offspring have made quite a mark too in the sales ring.

Come April is out of a full-sister to the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes winner Compton Admiral (Suave Dancer), a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Summoner (Inchinor)and a half-sister to the dam of the champion racemare The Fugue (Dansili), winner of four Group 1 races in Ireland and England.