Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (Group 1)

THE Peter and Paul Snowden-trained King’s Legacy put up a compelling case for champion two-year-old honours following his Group 1 Champagne Stakes win over 1600 metres at Randwick on Saturday.

Unsuited by the brevity of the Golden Slipper a month ago, the Redoute’s Choice colt flexed his credentials over the final two legs of Sydney’s Juvenile Triple Crown to take out the Group 1 Sires’ Produce over 1,400 metres two weeks before Saturday’s victory. Ridden by Hugh Bowman on both occasions, that pair of wins coupled with Farnam’s Golden Slipper gave the Hall of Fame jockey a Juvenile Triple Crown in the saddle.

“He’s the full package,” said Bowman. “He is just hitting his straps now as an autumn two-year-old and as I said you could only see him develop physically, he’s already mentally all there, he’s a very mentally capable horse, physically I can see him developing. It’s very exciting what lies ahead. He’s an exceptional colt and I’ve been informed that Coolmore have bought into him.

“He’s got an impeccable pedigree so you can see exactly why, he’s just franked it – he is one of the best colts in the country of his generation and I can only see him improving further as a three-year-old.”

Coming from mid-field, King’s Legacy hunted down the race leader Glenfiddich to draw level and overwhelm the Fastnet Rock colt by a neck as the Written Tycoon colt Ole Kirk ran-on well for third.

“There was always a thought in our minds that these were the two races (the Sires’ and Champagne) that would suit him. As it has turned out, we’ve got them right,” said Peter Snowden. “I think it is only the start of what you’ll probably see as a three-year-old. He is definitely going to be a horse that is going to train on and a horse with a lot of substance and a good bit of quality about him.”

Coolmore move

News broke later on Saturday that Coolmore Stud had secured a deal to buy into King’s Legacy. “We are very excited to secure King’s Legacy for Coolmore. I see him as the best stallion prospect ever produced by champion stallion Redoute’s Choice and we just had to have him,” relayed Tom Magnier via a press release.

“He is an incredible physical specimen, as befits a A$1.4 million yearling, and boasts a wonderful, world-class pedigree. Importantly, his racetrack performance completes the package, being a dual two-year-old Group 1 winner with only upside to come.”

By Redoute’s Choice out of the Hussonet mare Breakfast In Bed, King’s Legacy was bought from the Segenhoe draft of the Magic Millions by a James Harron-led syndicate. Early indications are that the current syndicate will remain in the ownership with Coolmore and race King’s Legacy into his three-year-old season.