The King’s Stand Stakes has been a moving feast for Aussie sprinters in recent years albeit with one notable exception.

Royal Ascot raiders Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast have all won the King’s Stand and Ortensia can make it five this Tuesday.

Swettenham Stud sire Equiano stands out like a beacon among the colonials.  In 2008, he defeated Takeover Target by a half-length and in 2010 he returned with a dominant display with Nicconi more than two lengths astern.

Swettenham’s Adam Sangster won the race to shuttle Equiano after he retired to Newsells Park last year.  “Barry Hills rated Equiano the fastest horse he ever trained,” Sangster said.  “He’s a beautifully balanced horse and the sireline is on fire over here in Europe.”

Sangster is in England for the Royal Ascot meeting and will host an Australian touring party at the Sangster family’s Manton Estate on Monday.  Equiano will parade for the visitors before entering quarantine for his second trip to Australia.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Equiano,” Sangster said.  “He served more mares than any other British based sire this year.  Newsells capped his second book at 145 mares so he wouldn’t be overtaxed.  They had to turn away more than 40 other applications.

“His sire Acclamation is the hottest stallion in the Northern Hemisphere.  And his son Dark Angel was Europe’s Champion first-season sire for winners last year.”

Equiano will stand for a $13,000 (inc gst) early-bird fee at Swettenham’s Nagambie nursery this year.

Equiano