THE Weatherbys Return of Mares for 2013 shows that the stallion Fracas covered 15 mares the previous year, resulting in nine colts and six fillies being born, all now two-year-olds. The Group 2 winning son of In The Wings, who was runner-up in a Group 1 race in Germany, has stood at his owner Joe Joyce’s Cahermorris Stables since retiring to stud in 2009. From limited runners he had sired the dual winner Awakened Spirit before the weekend.

Those now two-year-olds include a half-brother to the unbeaten machine Faugheen, and a half-sister to the Grade 2 Ascot hurdle winner Tagula Blue. The crop also includes Smash Williams who made a most impressive debut at the Curragh on Saturday and won a 24-runner maiden by more than six lengths. He looks to be a colt of the highest order and his next start is most eagerly anticipated.