Sur Empire is the latest European three year-old winner by Equiano (Fr) after making all the running in the Central Taxis Maiden Stakes (1430m) at Musselburgh on Thursday.

The Mark Johnston trained filly (pictured) was racing second-up for the Kingsley Park Ready To Run Partnership and she scored by more than a length from Cheveley Park filly Postulant.

Sur Empire (3f Equiano – Shersha by Priolo) was bred by Sir Eric Parker and made 20,000gns (AUD 41,475) at the 2012 Tattersalls Foal Sale.  Her dam was a Listed winner of the Sweet Mimosa Stakes at Leopardstown.

Equiano’s initial crop have blossomed as three year-olds and he leads the English second-season winners’ premiership with 13 individual winners, two in advance of Makfi, Paco Boy and Zebedee.

The Swettenham Stud shuttler sired another juvenile winner on Saturday when Lydia’s Place spreadeagled her rivals at Catterick.  “She missed the break through inexperience first-up at Chester and the soft ground didn’t suit,” trainer Richard Guest said.  “She definitely has ability and Equiano is a horse very much making his mark as a young stallion.”

Lydia’s Place (2f Equiano – Peace And Love by Fantastic Light) clocked 58.13s in the Tote Exacta Maiden Stakes (1000m) and the margin between first and fourth was over 12 lengths!

Swettenham Stud will stand Equiano for a $13,750 (inc gst) fee this year.

SUR EMPIRE