Footstepsinthesand Celebrates International Stakes Double

I Am Superman (5h Footstepsinthesand - Fastnet Lady, by Fastnet Rock) completed the first leg of an international Saturday Stakes double for Footstepsinthesand when landing the Group 2 Ajax Stakes at Rosehill.

The Irish import won the Group 2 Iron Jack Shannon Stakes over course and distance last September and was once again partnered by Kerrin McEvoy at the weekend. Producing a challenge in the straight, the bay led inside the final furlong and kept on to win by three parts of a length, as dual Group winners Think It Over (So You Think) and Rock (Pierro) finished second and third respectively.

Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, I Am Superman remains in the ownership of John Fleming and trainer Michael O’Callaghan, for whom he won twice and was Group placed in Ireland. Bred by Michael Smith, the bay is a grandson of Group performer Mooretown Lady (Montjeu).

Later that day at Wolverhampton, Mums Tipple (4g Footstepsinthesand - Colomone Cross, by Xaar) showed he has retained plenty of ability in the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes.

Best known for his wide margin victory in the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes, the flashy chesnut lost his way at three but caught the eye on return last month, when becoming short of room at a pivotal moment.

Chasing the leaders under Ryan Moore, he was angled out upon entering the straight and was ridden to lead passing the furlong pole. Running on well, he scored by two and a quarter lengths in comfortable fashion.

Richard Hannon was delighted with his charge’s performance and later commented, “He's got an awful lot of ability so it's nice to see him win, and win very well, at that level. Hopefully he can build on that for the rest of the year and we'll probably go for the Mile on Finals' Day.”

Owned by Marian Lyons and Patricia Zanelli, Mums Tipple was bred by Abbey Bloodstock out of a half-sister to talented sprinter Mombassa and Stakes winner Gwaihir.

Castlehyde Stud resident Footstepsinthesand sired seven European-bred Stakes winners last year alone, and is responsible for 33 individual Group winners and 31 Listed winners in total.