WHAT have Helmet, Union Rags and Gemologist got in common? At the time of writing they are the only first-crop stallions in Europe or America to have a Group or Grade 1 winner. Helmet achieved the feat when Thunder Snow landed the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud last weekend.

In the USA Union Rags has the added distinction of having two winners at the highest level, Dancing Rags and Union Strike, winners of the Darley Alcibiades Stakes and Del Mar Debutante Stakes respectively. Gemologist, a sire tipped for greatness in this column, broke his duck at Grade 1 level following Yellow Agate’s win on the Frizette Stakes.