South African trainer Charles Laird’s Karaka Premier Sale purchase Galileo’s Destiny produced a cracking run on debut to win the at UK Soccer 4 Maiden Plate at Clairwood on Wednesday.

Following on from the recent Group 1 success in South Africa by fellow Karaka graduate Gold Onyx (Black Minnaloushe), the colt decisively beat hot-favourite Castlethorpe (Not A Single Doubt) and left a further nine lengths back to local-bred runner Umfutho (Malhub).

Laird recently finished third on the South African trainers’ premiership for 2009 – 10 behind Mike de Kock and Gold Onyx’s trainer Sean Tarry.

Galileo’s Destiny is the first foal from the well-related mare Destined (Danehill) and was bred by Haunui Farm to fetch $230,000 at Karaka in 2009.  Her Karaka 2010 Zabeel colt sold to Rogerson Bloodstock for $380,000.  At the 2011 National Yearling Sales Series she will be represented by a half-sister to Galileo’s Destiny.  Bred by Haunui Farm and Frantic Bloodstock, the filly is by Haunui’s young sire Iffraaj.

To be represented by his first crop of yearlings at Karaka in 2011, Iffraaj is a multiple winner at Group 2 level in Europe and runner up in the 2006 edition of the Group 1 July Cup.

With 24 individual winners from his first Northern Hemisphere crop Iffraaj is currently the leading first season sire in Europe.  His Southern Hemisphere progeny have been well received, being the leading first season sire by average at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale in May with his youngsters selling up to $50,000.

Entries for New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs are due this Monday, 23 August.  To request an entry form email reception@nzb.co.nz or phone +64 9 298 0055.