Ridgemont’s red hot resident sire Rafeef gained a handsome boost to his pedigree page when his close relative Celestial Legend won the G1 The Agency Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
A captivating battle unfolded in the 2024 Randwick Guineas, with Celestial Legend emerging victorious in a close finish.
The Chris Waller-trained favourite Militarize, ridden by James McDonald, appeared destined for victory but was ultimately denied by a determined showing from Celestial Legend.
Celestial Legend surged past tiring rivals and engaged in a thrilling duel with Militarize in the final stages. In a display of pure heart, Celestial Legend edged out the favourite by a narrow half-head margin. His next target is likely to be the Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) back at the same track and trip on April 6th, a race perfectly suited to his current form.
A three-year-old son of Dundeel, Celestial Legend a $220,000 purchase for Legend Racing / Avenue Bloodstock from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
The grey colt has now won three of seven starts including the G2 Precise Air Hobartville Stakes prior to his Guineas victory.
The exciting Celestial Legend is out of Sarraqa, an unraced Snitzel three parts sister to both G1 Computaform Sprint winner Rafeef and Equus Champion, and G1 SA Nursery hero, Mustaaqeem. Sarraqa has a Maurice colt on offer at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Sarraqa was produced by South African champion National Colour, the Joint Horse Of The Year in South Africa in 2005-2006. Also Champion Older Female Sprinter in Britain in 2007-2008, the daughter of National Assembly reeled off wins in all of the 2006 G1 Computaform Sprint, 2006 G1 SA Fillies Sprint and 2006 G1 Mercury Sprint in South Africa, before travelling overseas where National Colour won in Dubai and ran second in the 2008 G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.
Despite dying young, National Colour made her mark as the dam of Mustaaqeem and the increasingly successful sire Rafeef, with another daughter Circle Of Speed producing 2022 G3 Poinsettia Stakes winner Full Velocity.
