Darley shuttler Hard Spun sired his first North American winner when Yvete Sangalo scored a remarkable victory at Lone Star Park on Saturday.

Yvete Sangalo (2f Hard Spun – Ya Tarra by Unbridled) dipped at the start and had to regroup at the rear before working her way into contention in the straight.  Jockey Chris Landeros also lost his whip and rode the filly hands and heels to score by a neck in a rousing finish.

The winner was bred in Mexico by Rancho Pozo de Luna .  She is the fourth winner from a half-sister to G1 English Derby winner Lammtarra (Nijinsky).  Second dam Snow Bride (Blushing Groom) was a G1 winner of the English Oaks.

Hard Spun had opened his winning account with Mabroor at Haydock on May 7.

A son of Danzig, Hard Spun didn’t dodge a soul during a busy racing schedule.  He was undefeated in three starts as a juvenile and resumed after a winter break with wins in the G3 Lecomte Stakes and G2 Lane’s End Stakes.

Hard Spun was a valiant runner-up in the G1 Kentucky Derby and then finished third in the G1 Preakness and fourth in the G1 Belmont Stakes.

After the classics, he was runner-up in the G1 Haskell Invitational and followed up with wins in the G1 King’s Bishop Stakes and G2 Kentucky Cup Classic.  Hard Spun was as game as always in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic and checked in with a commendable second to Curlin.

One of the last major sons of Danzig to retire to stud, Hard Spun will cover his fourth book at Northwood Park this year for a $16,500 (inc gst) service fee.