Beautiful Surprise makes a winning debut at Epsom
Haunui Farm shuttler Ribchester (Iffraaf) sired his 11th first crop winner on Monday when Beautiful Surprise (2 f ex Lovely Surprise by Shamardal) made a winning debut at Epsom.
Sent off favourite in the seven furlong maiden, the Hugo Palmer-trained filly made good headway with a furlong to travel, staying on gamely in the final strides to win by a head over Shabano (Amaron).
Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Beautiful Surprise is the second foal out of the winning mare Lovely Surprise (Shamardal), a half-sister to the stakes-placed Sudden Wonder (New Approach). They are out of the Godolphin-owned Group One winner Dubai Surprise (King’s Best), who won the 2005 running of the Premio Lydia Tesio (Gr 1, 2000m).
Champion miler Ribchester is now the sire of 11 individual first crop winners including the three-time winner Flaming Rib and the son of Iffraaj (Zafonic) has returned to New Zealand for a fourth season this year and his fee is set at NZ$15,000 (plus GST).
