The Breeders Cup meeting saw another Group winner yesterday for Equiano, with Belvoir Bay landing the Gr.3 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes at Del Mar for trainer Peter Miller and owners Team Valor International & Gary Barber.

This four-year-old filly found a narrow opening along the rail in the final stretch and kicked on gamely to win the 5f sprint going away.  She clearly relishes Del Mar having previously won the Gr.3 Torrey Pine Stakes over the main track, and she also won the Listed Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita. 

Bred by Mrs Peacock, Belvoir Bay is out of Path of Peace (Rock of Gibraltar), a half-sister to Gr.2 winner Please Sing (Royal Applause), and is a great example of how her sire  Equiano is working over both Danehill and Green Desert mares.

Belvoir Bay’s victory was the third Group winner this year for Equiano, following Lady Macapa winning in France and The Tin Man gaining his second Gr.1 success when landing the Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. It was also the fourth winner of the day by her sire the ‘King of Speed’ with Glenmore winning at Dundalk, Equiano Springs at Newcastle, and The Equinator victorious at Moree in Australia.

Equiano has sired 12 Group/Stakes winners from his first three crops, is the leading GB sire of sprinters over 5f to 7f in 2017 by winners, and Champion fourth-crop sire in GB and IRE by progeny earnings.  He remains exceptional value with a stud fee of £8,000 1st Oct SLF.