Equiano once again proved himself a consistent sire of tough, high-class sprinters with a new Stakes winner in Dakota Gold at York and The Tin Man finishing a brave second in the Gr.1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock this weekend.

Dakota Gold was winning his fourth race on the trot when landing the 6f Listed Garrowby Stakes at York today.  He showed blistering early pace making nearly all to put his rivals under pressure and win by nearly two lengths.  He has now won over £240,000 in prize money for his owners Doug Graham and Ian Davison.

Trainer Michael Dods said: “I would say that is another career-best. Connor (his jockey) said he was in trouble when they were coming to him but once he sensed the horses were there he picked up and he’s gone away at the end. He won’t run in the Ayr Gold Cup as he has another penalty. There is a Group 3 at Newbury on Ayr Gold Cup day and that’s a possibility.”

Bred by Redgate Bloodstock and Peter Bottowley Bloodstock, Dakota Gold is out of Joyeaux (Mark Of Esteem), a half-sister to Gr.1 winner Aoife Alainn.

On Saturday 7th September, triple Gr.1 winning sprinter The Tin Man finished second by just half a length in the Gr.1 Betfair Sprint Cup despite stumbling down on his knees as the stalls opened.

Trainer James Fanshawe said: “The team have done a fantastic job to get The Tin Man back, after Newbury I thought that might be the end of him. He came back a bit stiff behind and he’s seven but everyone has worked away to get him back in top form.”

Equiano is now the sire of 26 Stakes winners/performers and a host of other consistent and tough sprinters. Don’t miss his yearlings at the forthcoming sales!