Royal Ascot Joy For Barnane Stud

Barnane Stud made headlines at Royal Ascot on Friday when the Barnane bred and owned gelding Candleford swept to a brilliant, six length win in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.

Trained by William Haggas, the four-year-old had not been seen in competitive action since winning at Kempton in November, but was nevertheless prominent in the market at 11/2.

For a moment early in the straight it looked as though Kim Bailey’s Ajero had slipped the field, but Candleford joined him approaching the final furlong before rocketing clear.

The sizeable gelding, sent off a well-backed 11/2 chance, burst out of the pack and stormed passed eventual runner-up Ajero in the manner of a horse that will have Pattern-class contests on his agenda going forward.

Former England cricketer Craig Kieswetter, whose family own Barnane Stud in Co Tipperary, said: “It’s always good fun. William said never mind having a winner at Royal Ascot, to have a runner is an incredible achievement, so we are delighted. Candleford is our first homebred winner and our first homebred Royal Ascot winner. It is very cool.”

Candleford was a second Royal Ascot win of the week for his trainer who saddled the unbeaten Baaeed to land the G1 Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday.

A four-year-old by Kingman, Candleford’s success also bought up a notable Ascot double for his Pretty Polly Stakes winning dam Dorcas Lane. The latter also produced King George V Stakes winner Atty Persse.