Sun Stud’s G1 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (Ire) sired his first winner at Ballarat on Tuesday.

The Darren Weir-trained 2yo colt Hawkshot was successful on debut in the Magnum Equine Maiden Plate (1200m).  Starting a $2.90 favourite, he ran down front-runner Rock Tycoon (Written Tycoon) to score by a head.

“He’s a lovely, big type with a great attitude and good action,” Weir said.  “I’ve got three or four by Fiorente and I think he’s got a very bright future at stud.”

Hawkshot is a Sun Stud homebred related to Group 1 winners Shindig and Shinzig.  His dam Rosa Perlato (Encosta de Lago) has a yearling colt by Fiorente, a filly on the ground by Ready for Victory and she’s back in foal to Palentino.

Fiorente (Monsun – Desert Bloom by Pilsudski) was named 2014 Victorian Horse of the Year.  He polled 116 votes to win from Lankan Rupee (103), Shamus Award (25) and Atlantic Jewel (19).

Trained by Gai Waterhouse, he raced 7 times in Victoria that season highlighted by Group 1 victories in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Australian Cup (2000m).  He also registered Group 2 wins in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) and Peter Young Stakes (1800m).

Fiorente has covered an average of 120 mares in his first four seasons for a fee of $17,600 (inc gst).

HAWKSHOT