Mastercraftsman Colt Digs Deep For Group 3 Success

Saturday saw Technician (3c Mastercraftsman - Arosa, by Sadler’s Wells) gain his second Stakes success of the season when rallying to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.

Group 3 placed and a Listed winner over ten furlongs earlier this year, his maiden win came over a mile and a half, while he stepped up to a mile and five and a half furlongs at the weekend. Rob Hornby rode the Martyn Meade-trained colt to track the leaders, pushing the grey along to make headway from two furlongs out and began to dig deep approaching the final furlong. Staying on well to lead close home, Technician scored by three parts of a length as the favourite Morando was relegated to runners-up honours, finishing six lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Assistant trainer Freddie Meade commented after the race, “It's credit to him he can win over a mile and a quarter and possibly Doncaster will be next. We'll talk to everyone, but the St Leger has been on our radar for a long time. He's horse who keeps giving, but you need to ask him.”

Purchased privately by Team Valor after winning his maiden impressively, Technician was bred by Barronstown Stud out of a full-sister to multiple Group winner Crimson Tide (Sadler’s Wells) and Group 3 scorer Tamarind (Sadler’s Wells).

Technician’s Group 3 win was a timely update for his full-sister selling at Arqana on Saturday evening, with the Mastercraftsman yearling filly selling for €240,000 to Phoenix Thoroughbreds.