Guineas glory for Dawn Approach

Five years after his sire New Approach ran a gallant nose second in the 2,000 Guineas on his seasonal debut, his first-crop son Dawn Approach went one better on 4 May when he was victorious in the first British Classic of the season. Their careers had mirrored one another until this point - both were unbeaten juveniles, both had won two G1 contests (the Dewhurst and the National Stakes), and both were named European Champion Two-Year-Olds.

Dawn Approach's victory came with consummate ease. Never far off the strong early pace, he came through two furlongs from home before powering up the hill to record a five-length triumph, extending his unbeaten record to seven in the process.

Bred and trained by Jim Bolger, Dawn Approach is out of the Phone Trick mare Hymn Of The Dawn, a half-sister to G1 colt Galantas. Hymn Of The Dawn also has a full-sister two-year-old to Dawn Approach named Prudent Approach, and is due to foal to the same stallion again this year.

New Approach, who will stand the forthcoming breeding season at Northwood Park for a fee of $55,000 (inc. GST), has made a sensational start to his stud career. Dawn Approach was one of three Royal Ascot juvenile Stakes winners in 2012 (Newfangled in the Albany and Tha'Ir in the Chesham were the other two), making New Approach the first ever freshman to sire three Stakes winners at the prestigious meeting. His first Australian crop includes G3-winning filly Montsegur, Japanese winner Approaching and debutant scorer Gamblin' Guru.