MISS MELBOURNE completed a hat-trick when winning the L. Prix Occitanie at Bordeaux, gaining a rating of 104. The sculptural daugther of Kentucky Dynamite understandably proved a coveted proposition in the sales ring but Martin Schwartz was not to be denied and offered €370,000 via agent Michel Zerolo. The former Antoine de Watrigant inmate will ship straight to America.

We feel very fortunate to get her at that level and hopefully we’ll have good fortune.

I have the best turf trainer in the United States. He won his first two Grade Is with me, with Stacelita and Zagora, and I want him to keep remembering my name. Since he won the Eclipse award last year as the top trainer in America, I have to keep sending him stock to run, otherwise he’ll forget about us.

©Robert Polin