What a run it’s been for Mastercraftsman (IRE), with the Coolmore stallion siring his fourth Stakes winner in nine days on Sunday evening. His latest was daughter OFF LIMITS (IRE), who brought her winning run to four when taking the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar.

A Listed winner for David Wachman in Ireland, the now five-year-old met some set-backs upon arriving in the US for new trainer Chad Brown and owner Martin Schwartz, but has not been for stopping since her racecourse return in August. Coming to Del Mar with three straight wins to her name (including two at Grade 3 level), she faced ten accomplished rivals over a mile on firm turf. Racing towards the back of the field under Joel Rosario, she made impressive headway from the two furlong pole and ran on strongly entering the final furlong to lead in the final 60 yards. She beat fellow Irish-bred mare Hawsmoor (IRE) by a length, with a further half a length back to Insta Erma in third.

Rosario was full of praise for the winner, saying; "She's got that great turn of foot. That's what makes her so special. And she wants to win. When she sees horses in front of her, she wants to go get them."

Irish imports took both features on the Del Mar card, with former Johnny Murtagh trainee HUNT (IRE) gaining his third Graded victory of the year in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap worth $200,000. Chasing the pace in a field of six, the five-year-old moved wide to challenge in the straight and ran home strongly to deny He Will by a nose on the line.

Bred by Curragh trainer Michael O’Callaghan, HUNT (IRE) sold to David Redvers for €78,000 at the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale and has since amassed $668,764 in earnings. O’Callaghan bred the grey out of the Vettori (IRE) mare Mansiya, who is a half-sister to two Stakes horses, as well as the dam of dual Group 1 winner Bad Girl Runs.

HUNT (IRE) is one of 25 Group/Graded winners by Yeomanstown Stud sire Dark Angel (IRE), whose fee will rise to €85,000 in 2018.

Both Mastercraftsman (IRE) and Dark Angel (IRE) will be available to view as part of the 2018 ITM Irish Stallion Trail.