Coolmore freshman Holy Roman Emperor sired his first Australian winner when Like A Bird won on debut at Ipswich on Saturday.

Like A Bird (2f Holy Roman Emperor – Whatyoudoin by Rory’s Jester) changed hands as a foal at the 2009 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale when she was part of the Corumbene Stud consignment.

Trained by Norm Hilton, Like a Bird was well fancied after scoring a trial win at Doomben on November 23 and she ran right up to that hit-out to win the 800 metre dash by a short neck after racing handy throughout.

Like a Bird is the first living foal and first winner for the Rory’s Jester mare Whatyoudoin who comes from the family of Golden Slipper winner Catbird.

Her sire Holy Roman Emperor is already the sire of 23 winners in the northern hemisphere including six stakes horses led by High Award.  He won the Listed Woodcote Stakes at Epsom for owner Michael Tabor in June.

Kiwi filly Holy Moly gave Holy Roman Emperor his first Hunter Valley bred winner at Te Rapa on November 6.

Holy Roman Emperor was a G1 winner of the Phoenix Stakes and Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in 2006 but Coolmore drafted him into stud duties at short notice in 2007.  He replaced ill-fated colt George Washington who had fertility issues.

Holy Roman Emperor covered over 280 mares in his dual first-season books in Ireland and Australia in 2007.  He is currently serving his fourth Australian book at a fee of $27,500.