Canford Cliffs improved his stud potential with a determined victory in the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Canford Cliffs (4c Tagula – Mrs Marsh by Marju) was always travelling on the bridle but had to dig deep to overhaul long-time leader Worthadd (Dubawi) for a one-length victory.  The first two home beat off the others headed by Premio Loco (Prized).

Canford Cliffs (Ire) is a candidate to shuttle to Australia at the conclusion of his racing career.  He was originally sold to Peter Doyle Bloodstock for 50,000 guineas at the Doncaster St Leger yearling sale in August 2008.

A brilliant six length winner of the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2009, he now races for a partnership comprising the Heffer Syndicate and Coolmore associates Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

Canford Cliffs was a G1 winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas last year and followed up with G1 victories in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.  “He’s awesome,” jockey Richard Hughes said on Saturday.  “No matter what is in front of him, he gives you the feel he’s going to go by them.”

Canford Cliffs will clash with champion mare Goldikova (Anabaa) in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 14 and a showdown with Frankel (Galileo) is in the pipeline later this year.

Canford Cliffs is a son of Rathbarry Stud sire Tagula.  His only sire son to stand in this part of the world has been deceased Tasmanian stallion Atlantis Prince.

The Lockinge winner is from unraced mare Mrs Marsh.  She has a 2yo colt named Mayo Lad (Holy Roman Emperor) and a yearling colt by Excellent Art.  She was covered by Sea The Stars last year.