Equiano sired a new Group winning sprinter today with Gustavus Weston landing the Gr.3 Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh.

Trained by Joseph Murphy for owner Alfred Sweetnam this progressive three-year-old held on well under pressure after taking up the lead over one furlong out.  Earlier in the year he had also finished second in the Gr.3 Goffs Lacken Stakes at Naas.

Trainer Joe Murphy said: “We always thought he was a good horse and he learned more running in the big handicap which crowned him for this race. He’s getting more professional and I think he’s a horse that will progress. I was afraid of the ground, but I’m glad now that he handled it and his options are bigger. I’m not sure where he will go now and there is no reason why he shouldn’t get a bit further.”

Bred by Michael Orlandi and John Harrod, Gustavus Weston is out of the winning Cape Cross mare Chrissycross, whose dam is a half-sister to the Stakes winner and Gr.1 Cheveley Park Stakes performer Badminton, from the family of Gr.1 Shoemaker’s Mile winner and sire Data Link (War Front).

Equiano continues to be a consistent sire of tough high-class sprinters.  In 2018 he was the leading European sire of sprinters by black-type wins worldwide, and the leading British sire of sprinters by individual winners (5f-7f, 3yo+).