The globetrotting PURE CHAMPION (IRE) recorded his first Group 1 victory on Saturday in the Windsor Park Plate at Hastings, just over a month after his move to New Zealand. Formerly known as Steinbeck when trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien, he began his career as a well-regarded prospect, described by O’Brien as the horse that "the birds in the trees are singing about". A close fourth in the Dewhurst Stakes and the same placing behind Canford Cliffs in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, before winning a stakes race at Killarney (pictured above), were the high points of his Irish career, before joining Tony Cruz in Hong Kong.

After two Group 3 wins and finishing runner up in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup, he was recommended to trainer Lance O’Sullivan, who co-trains the horse with Andrew Scott. Jockey Craig Grylls held PURE CHAMPION (IRE) behind the leaders, before making his move in the home straight and quickening well to overturn previous form with runners-up I Do and Soriano. The Group 1 Livamol Spring Classic at the same track on October 4th is next on the agenda before retiring to stud duties. By Coolmore’s FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND (IRE), he is out of the Danehill mare Castara Beach, who is a half-sister to Group 3 Criterion Stakes winner Hill Hopper, who produced triple Group 1 winner Nannina. Breeder Dr Dean Harron, who recently won a Northern Region ITBA award, also owns Pure Champion’s Henrythenavigator half-sister, Excellent Mariner, who is currently in foal to Footstepsinthesand.