Nathaniel sired another Group winner today with Pilaster landing the £300,000 Gr.2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood.
 
Trained by Roger Varian, the three-year-old filly engaged in a thrilling battle in the closing stages to regain the lead close home from Maid Up and score by a short-head.
 
The Cheveley Park Stud-owned homebred has won both of her previous starts this year on the All-Weather at Chelmsford (1m 2f) and Kempton (1m 4f).
 
Roger Varian said: “Watching it live and watching again, I did not think Pilaster was loving the ground. I think she has overcome the ground. She is class and all guts – she got headed and came back to win on the line. She is a very classy filly. She was very good today. She showed a real toughness today as she was headed and came back.
 
“Hopefully, she comes out of this race well and then we would have to consider races like the QIPCO Fillies & Mares at Ascot on QIPCO Champion Stakes day in October or the Park Hill at Doncaster before that. I think Pilaster will really come into her own when she is racing on slower ground.
 
“The ground today was in good condition, but I was glad when we got the rain. She is very enthusiastic in a sensible way and has a big will to win.
 
“These classy animals are horses that you can’t rush and you have to take your time with them.”

Nathaniel has now sired 21 Group/Stakes performers from his first two crops.  In 2018 so far he has sired four Group winners, three further Stakes winners and 13 Group/Stakes performers in all.  Last year the highlight was of course his daughter Enable winning five Gr.1 races and the stud eagerly looks forward to her return to the track in 2018.