Son Of Leading Light Digs Deep On Debut

Bravo Buddy (4g Leading Light – Second Best, by Supreme Leader) displayed an admirable attitude when making a winning debut at Great Trethew point-to-point on Sunday.

The Robert Chanin-trained bay was the sole four-year-old to line up for the flat race and benefitted from a patient ride by Tom Chanin. Produced to lead entering the final furlong, he was forced to dig deep by longtime leader Grumpy Freya and battled back to retain the advantage. Prevailing by a neck on the line, the front pair drew 20 lengths clear of the third horse.

Owned by Tom Chanin in partnership with Mr Hugh Ellis and Mrs Juliet Ellis, Bravo Buddy comes from the first crop of Grange Stud sire Leading Light. The son of Montjeu was himself known for some thrilling finishes, most famously in a tight finish with Estimate and Missunited in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup. His first top-level success came in the St Leger, afterwhich Aidan O’Brien said, “He's very classy. He stays and he quickens.”

Bred by Lynch-Bages Ltd, Leading Light was a 520,000gns yearling purchase by Demi O’Byrne. Out of dual Group winner Dance Parade, he is bred on the same cross as Epsom Derby hero Motivator and on a similar cross to champion three-year-old Camelot.

Leading Light commands €3,000 at Grange Stud.