26th Group One Winner for Encosta

Now retired champion sire Encosta de Lago added another Group I winner to his resume when talented entire Mac de Lago (4h Encosta de Lago x Macavelli Miss, by Vettori) landed the biggest prize of his career when taking out the Group I Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville in South Africa on Saturday. Trained by Weiho Marwing, Mac de Lago had won twice previously and been placed and finished fourth in several Group events. He soared to new heights in this weight-for-age 1600 metre contest claiming victory in the steward’s room after being beaten narrowly on the line by Trip to Heaven, who was relegated to second. A $65,000 Inglis Premier purchase for James Bester Bloodstock from the Coolmore draft, Mac de Lago was foaled and raised at Coolmore and is the best of three winners from Group I winning Vettori mare Macavelli Miss (NZ). Mac de Lago is the 110^th stakes-winner for Encosta de Lago and is his 26^th Group I winner. Currently fifth on the Australian General Sires List by earnings, Encosta de Lago has been enjoying a very successful season represented by Australian Group I winners Chautauqua, English and Vanbrugh. He is also leading the Australian Broodmare Sires List by earnings, his daughters having produced the winners of over $15million in prizemoney highlighted by 15 stakes-winners. Chosen to carry his line forward for Coolmore is his brilliant sprinting son Rubick and he’s certainly been a popular pick with breeders. Rubick covered 214 mares last spring and stands at the same fee of $17,600 this year.