Maiden Winner Begins Super Day For Saxon Warrior

King’s Gambit (2c Saxon Warrior - Pure Symmetry, by Storm Cat) emerged as a smart prospect on Friday when winning his second start in the mile maiden at Newbury.

Harry and Roger Charlton’s charge was green and slowly away on debut last month, but showed the benefit of experience on Friday. Racing in touch under Trevor Whelan, he was ridden approaching the two furlong marker and kept on strongly to lead a furlong from home. Keeping on well, he won by three parts of a length, with another two and a quarter lengths back to the favourite in third.

“He's always been a nice horse,” Roger Charlton later revealed. “Trevor said he couldn't pull him up, which is a good sign. We won't be in a rush because he's immature physically and mentally, so he's not going to jump up a huge grade next time.”

Charlton purchased King’s Gambit on behalf of owner Mohammed Jaber as a yearling for 125,000gns. Bred and sold by Roundhill Stud, he is out of a full-sister to Aidan O’Brien’s Group 1 Coronation Stakes heroine Sophisticat (Storm Cat).

Meanwhile, over in Deauville, Saxon Warrior’s two offerings on the first day of the Arqana August Sale sold for a combined €500,000. Anna Sundstrom’s Coulonces consigned the first offering, a bay filly, who was knocked down to Frederic Sauque for €200,000. Hidetoshi Yamamoto secured Saxon Warrior’s next yearling, a filly from Haras de Montaigu for €300,000.