The former British-trained duo of Battle Of Hastings and Flashmans Papers filled the first and second slots in the G3 Baldwin Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday, setting a new Stakes record time in the process of 1.11.86 for six-and-a-half furlongs (1300m).
Battle Of Hastings, by Royal Applause and bred in partnership by Myriad Communications and New England Stud, won twice as a two-year-old for Michael Bell before being sold at Tattersalls horses-in-training sale for 95,000gns and switching to the US in October. His Baldwin victory came on just his second start in his adopted country and represented his first Stakes victory.
Flashmans Papers had the distinction of becoming Exceed And Excel's first northern hemisphere Stakes winner when landing the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last season. The Cliveden Stud-bred colt was then sold privately to race in the US, making his first start there in the Gl Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity. He was just overhauled in the final 100m by the fast-finishing Battle Of Hastings. The pair finished two lengths clear of the rest of the field.
The previous Baldwin Stakes record of 1:11.96 had been set by E Dubai's Breeders' Cup-winning son Desert Code.
