Promising colt Brave Prince landed the first leg of a winning double for Durham Lodge at Northam on Thursday.

Brave Prince (2c Show A Heart – Card Queen by Final Card) is a younger half-brother to flying filly Karuta Queen and he was responsible for an eye-catching victory in the Radiowests For Kids Maiden (1100m).

Carrying the familiar cerise and white colours of Bob and Sandra Peters, Brave Prince settled midfield before making the others look second-rate in the straight.  He was as green as grass on debut but still won by over a length running away.

Durham Lodge resident Blackfriars completed a double of his own when Hot Goth won the following race at Northam.  Earlier in the day, his Tony McEvoy trained gelding Misty Eyes scored by four lengths first-up at Balaklava.

Brave Prince was born in WA after Durham Lodge purchased Card Queen for $55,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions National Sale.  She was carrying Brave Prince at the time and her value went through the roof when Karuta Queen came out and won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

“We rated him ever since he was a foal,” Jeremy Smith recalled.  “He grew into an outstanding individual and there were a few on him when he went to the yearling sales.”

Belmont Bloodstock’s Damon Gabbedy bought him on behalf of Peters for $230,000 at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions.  “He’s a flashy type and has a lot going for him,” Gabbedy said after signing off on the colt.  “He’s a loose, great walking horse with plenty of length and scope and looks a natural runner.”

Brave Prince confirmed that prediction in the Avon Valley and he looks destined for stakes company as a three year-old.

More black-type beckons for Blackfriars as early as tomorrow in the LR Belmont Guineas.  His WATC Derby winner Rohan returns from a spell in the first leg of the winter features for three year-olds.  Last-start winner Black Uma also rates highly in a race of many chances.

Blackfriars is home and hosed for his second Sunspeed sires’ title this season.  His current earnings of $3.88 million more than doubles that of his nearest rival on the premiership.

Durham Lodge will stand Blackfriars for a $16,500 (inc gst) fee this year.

BRAVE PRINCE
Striking colt pictured before 2011 Perth Magic Millions