Black-type battle for Grey Monarch

Grey Monarch earned his first black-type win with a determined victory in the LR Carbine Club Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Grey Monarch (7g Verglas – Heartbeat by Rory’s Jester) refused to buckle during a spirited battle with Dempsey (Flying Spur) and Our Ol’ Fella (Halo Homewrecker) in the final furlong.

“He tries his heart out every time,” trainer Ivan Haggerty said.  “He’s getting tougher.  He eats well and is just happy up at Bullbrook.  We’re pretty happy with him, too!”

Grey Monarch was bred and raced by Bob Peters before current owner Allan Barnes bought him for $65,000 at the 2010 Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.  He has now earned over $406,000.

He is by Verglas who shuttled to Alwyn Park in 2003 and 2004.  Those two Sunspeed crops produced 57 winners in Australia at a 53% strike-rate.  His best runner in this part of the world has been Irish bred galloper Glass Harmonium who won the G1 VRC Mackinnon Stakes last month.

Verglas (Highest Honor) was originally based in France before transferring to the Irish National Stud where he died in May.