Maiden Winners Complete Smart Double For Saxon Warrior

Wednesday saw the promising Celtic Warrior (3g Saxon Warrior – Short Call, by Kodiac) complete a double for Saxon Warrior at Kempton when justifying favouritism in the seven furlong maiden.

The Andrew Balding-trained bay placed as a juvenile and was beaten just a head on his three-year-old return last month. Partnered by Oisin Murphy on his latest start, he led for much of the way until being headed approaching the final furlong. He rallied when asked soon after and kept on well to prevail by a head on the line, with another three and a quarter lengths back to the third horse.

Owned by Mrs Fitri Hay, Celtic Warrior was bought by Dermot Farrington as a yearling for 120,000gns. The second crop son of Saxon Warrior was bred by Mrs Anita Wigan out of a half-sister to Group 1 heroine Wonderment (Camelot).

Mighty Nebula (4g Saxon Warrior – Pure Symmetry, by Storm Cat) was another promising type to make a winning return to action in the mile maiden earlier on the card.

Roger Varian’s charge was ridden by James Doyle on his second career start and was pushed along to challenge from the two furlong marker. Leading inside the final furlong, he kept on well to win by a length and a quarter, while the favourite Screaming Eagle (Saxon Warrior) took third.

Owned by Fahad Abdullah Al Harthi and bred by Roundhill Stud, Mighty Nebula is a full-brother to the 93-rated King’s Gambit. The pair are bred on a similar cross to Saxon Warrior’s Group winner Moon Ray and Group 1 runner-up Aethelflaed.