Nathaniel proved this week that his progeny also have the ability to further their careers from the flat to excel at the highest level over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival.

Yesterday Burning Victory landed the Gr.1 JCB Triumph Hurdle by 2¾ lengths for owner Mrs Audrey Turley, and became the first filly to win this race since 2000.  Whilst her jumping was not the best it says plenty about her ability that she managed to win and clearly there is plenty more to come.

Trainer WP Mullins said: “She’s a lovely filly and has a huge engine.”

Earlier in the week Concertista won the Gr.2 Daylesford Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Registered as the Dawn Run) cruising to victory by 12 lengths for owner Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. The six-year-old filly is also trained by W P Mullins, who said: “I didn’t think she’d go on the ground and I was afraid the race might be too short for her, but she’s won impressively.”

Both were also highly rated winners on the Flat, and bred in France.  Burning Victory was bred by Sarl De Chambure & Sarl Riviera Equine out of the Stakes performing mare M’Oubliez Pas (El Corredor), a half-sister to Gr.1 Atto Mile winner Riviera I.  Concertista is out of the French mare Zagzig (Selkirk), a half-sister to several Stakes winners including Slalom, and was bred by Wertheimer et Frere.

Nathaniel’s only other runner at the Cheltenham Festival, Navajo Pass, finished fourth in the Gr.1 JCB Triumph Hurdle behind Burning Victory.