BY the end of Royal Ascot one first season sire had established a massive lead among his cohorts, with two pattern winners and a listed scorer to his name.

It was only a matter of time before the first of his rivals would mount a serious challenge, and although Zoffany (by Dansili) is still on top, his fellow Coolmore team member Canford Cliffs (by Tagula) is the one who has made that leap forward.