Taghrooda showed a touch of class in winning the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot over the week-end.

She became the first three year old filly to win the midsummer showpiece since Pawneese in 1976.

Taghrooda, who also won the Oaks, is unbeaten after four starts and is among the pre post favourites for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, to be decided on the first Sunday in October.

She has continued the run of success by first crop sire, Sea The Stars by Cape Cross, who saw service in New Zealand at one stage.

Sea The Stars is a half brother to Galileo, currently the leading sire in the U K, from the mare Park Express.

New Track For Keeneland

Work has commenced installing a new dirt racing surface at Keeneland, the final step in the process is due to be completed by the end of this month.

The surface material is a blend of approximately 19,000 tons of sand, silt and clay, native to Kentucky, it will be installed in three of two inch layers to complete the six inches of racing surface.

Installation of the dirt surface marks the final stages of the project that has been ongoing for more than a year and includes extensive research and testing of materials, water drainage systems, designed by Keeneland officials, and a team of experts.

When Two Champions Were Foaled

Early spring evenings can be cold, wet and downright miserable, it was no different in Kentucky when A B (Bull) Hancock, of Claiborne Farm, left a warm fire to witness the birth of a foal, among the first by the new found sire Nasrullah.

Bull had syndicated Nasrullah for millions, the biggest gamble he had ever undertaken, there was a lot riding on the heads of this first crop of foals.

As he entered the main barn, Miss Disco was about to give birth, this was just the beginning, there was still a long way to go, but at least the first foal was on the ground.

Bull was shivering by now, ready to get back to the warm fire when he was called to look in on another mare that was about to foal.

Finally, the mare, Knights Daughter, foaled a colt by Princequillo, that was the night that fame and fortune was delivered to Claiborne Stud, when Bold Ruler and Round Table were born.