Crusade gave Coolmore trainer Aidan O’Brien his latest G1 triumph in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.  The USA bred colt follows Minardi (2000), Johannesburg (2001) and Ad Valorem (2004).

Crusade (2c Mr. Greeley – La Traviata by Johannesburg) raced up the middle of the track to defeat Lilbourne Lad on the stand-side by three-quarters of a length.  “He could be a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile horse,” O’Brien said.  “Seamie (Heffernan) rode him forward and said he travelled nicely into the Dip.  We’re delighted.”

Crusade’s sire Mr. Greeley (Gone West) was aged 18 when he was put down at Gainesway Farm last year.  He sired G1 winners El Corredor and Whywhywhy in North America and Finsceal Beo in the 2007 English & Irish 1000 Guineas.

Mr. Greeley shuttled to Independent Stallions in 1996 and sired G1 VATC Oakleigh Plate winner Miss Kournikova from a small book of 26 mares.  Crusade is the first foal of G3 Saratoga winner La Traviata.

Coolmore sires tracked the Middle Park result with three feature winners at Newmarket.  Wading (Montjeu) won the G2 Rockfel Stakes, Rockinante (Rock Of Gibraltar) the G3 Autumn Stakes and Never Can Tell (Montjeu) the Cesarewitch.