Swettenham Stud stallion Keep The Faith was represented by his first winner when In Faith scored a barrier-to-box victory at Morphettville on Saturday.

In a debut reminiscent of his sire, In Faith accelerated to a clear lead in the Caroma Plate (1050m) and was always in control in the straight.  He was eased down by Paul Gatt to win by over two lengths.

In Faith (2c Keep The Faith – Energy Source by Anabaa) is a Lindsay Park homebred for the old firm of David Hayes, Peter Devitt and Les Gordon.  He carries the same blue and pink colours as their Group 1 winners Niconero and Nicconi.

In Faith is a younger half-brother to the winners Spend The Money (Dash for Cash) and Tribulus (Testa Rossa).

“I’m pretty chuffed that we were able to train his first winner,” Lindsay Park’s Tony McEvoy said.  “We didn’t think In Faith was quite ready to win on debut.  There’s a lot of improvement to come so the result was a bonus.”

Keep The Faith (Sunday Silence) was raced by Sheikh Mohammed and was destined for stardom after winning by four lengths on debut at Cheltenham in April 2003.  He came back at three to win the Listed Schweppes Cup at Caulfield before furthering his career in North America.

McEvoy trained Keep The Faith during a short-lived Australian campaign that netted 4 wins from 9 starts.  “He was an exceptional galloper with the most amazing action.  It was no surprise when he went to the USA and broke their record for 1200m on turf (1.06.82s).

“The youngsters we have by Keep The Faith all have great rhythm, balance and very economical actions.  I’m very confident he will prove the real deal as a stallion.”

Keep The Faith served a total of 370 mares at an $8,800 (inc gst) fee during his first three seasons at Swettenham Stud.  His first crop at the 2009 majors was topped by a $130,000 colt purchased by Blandford Bloodstock at the Inglis Easter yearling sale.  Overall, 25 Keep The Faith yearlings averaged $27,560.

Two fillies from Keep The Faith’s second crop are available at the Perth Magic Millions next week.  Geisel Park’s filly (Lot 109) is from a half-sister to Flemington juvenile stakes winner Direct Sign.

De Grey Stud’s Dick Vincent, who bred Lindsay Park’s G1 winning sire Barely A Moment, has catalogued a filly from unraced Danehill mare Split Rock (Lot 259).  She is a direct descendant of Midnight Fever who won the 1987 Blue Diamond Stakes for Robert Sangster and Colin Hayes.

Keep The Faith has another 6 lots at the Inglis Melbourne Premier and a further 9 lots at the Adelaide Magic Millions.