A ROYAL DEBUT
Naval College, bred and raced by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, became the second-last winner of her lifetime when he scored by a widening four lengths at Lingfield in August.
Naval College is by Queen Elizabeth's Group 2 winner Dartmouth out of Selkirk mare Sequence, who was gifted to Her Majesty by another of the world's most prominent breeders, the Aga Khan. Sequence is a half-sister to Sinndar, winner of the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2000.
After arriving earlier this year and settling in well at Annabel Neasham’s stables Naval College made his Australian debut at Randwick on the Kensington circuit on Tuesday 25th April.
Under the guidance of Chad Schofield, Naval College was given a terrific ride, he began well and settled like he had always raced in Australia. Unfortunately in the straight, he was held up when unable to obtain clear running at a crucial point, but once he was out he gave chase to the leader and eventual winner Storm King. Naval College showed a terrific turn of foot and was only beaten 0.13 lengths.
Given he had only had 2 trials leading into the run and over 1800m, which appears to be shorter than his preferred distance, it was a remarkable achievement and had he not been held up he likely would’ve been the winner.
It is a very exciting time for Highclere Racing Australia and Naval College’s connections who are based both in Australia and the UK.
Highclere Racing Australia have had a lot of success with their imports in the past with Durston and Opinion who have developed into Group 1 winners while Bartholomeu Dias, Great House and Libran are also stakes winners down under. Based on his Australian debut performance it looks like Naval College could join this list.