Stakes Double for Sargent

Darci Brahma two-year-old Dugan (NZ) (Darci Brahma x Snipza Gold) captured his first stakes success at Wanganui on Saturday in the $50,000 Listed John Turkington Forestry Castletown Stakes (1200m) to provide the first leg of a trans-Tasman stakes double for his trainer John Sargent.

Sargent also trains Quintessential who was successful in the Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup in Queensland.

Dugan may now head for the Listed Ryder Stakes

Having had five previous starts coming into the race for a last start win at Awapuni on 18 May, Dugan put in a good performance on Saturday under jockey Hayden Tinsley, racing just off the pace before challenging race leader Aaja Nachle (Fast ‘N’ Famous) in the straight and wearing her down to win by a head at the post.

“It was a good win from Dugan and great to get a stakes double,” said Sargent. “We will have a chat to his owners this week and see whether to press on to the Listed Ryder Stakes or send him for a spell.

“He’s not a big horse and he still has some growing to do so he will improve a lot as a three-year-old.”

Dugan was bred by D Ansford, B Fisher, T Lee & Marriner Bloodstock Ltd and is raced by the Spicer Thoroughbreds Darci No.1 Syndicate.

The two-year-old was purchased as a yearling by Melbourne-based syndicator Brad Spicer from Janine Dunlop’s Phoenix Park at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale for $60,000.  

Dugan is the 10th stakes winner for Darci Brahma who stands at the Oaks Stud. The son of Danehill has had another good season at stud having sired two Group 1 winners – Nashville and the unbeaten two-year-old Recite – taking his tally of Group 1 winning progeny to three.

Darci Brahma has sired eight stakes winners this season with Darci Be Good, Sir Lovesalot, Super Easy, Sunshine Kingdom and Valbuena. His daughters Aurora, Blanket Bay and Waterford have also had Group 1 placings this season.