I Found You was an exceptional yearling that is developing into an exciting racing prospect
In the space of 24 hours China Horse Club and partners flexed their thoroughbred muscle with a trio of wins by exciting performers in Britain and Australia.
Second start veteran, Leicester Square, raced in partnership with Qatar Racing, set the process off with a gritty but promising win at Salisbury in the Madar Corporation Maiden Stakes (2400m). Hours later it was back-to-back results with debutant I Found You and second starter Braveheart both spacing rivals in Sydney at Randwick’s Kensington track.
The future looks bright for all three but there is no doubt about the promise being shown by the filly I Found You. Bred by China Horse Club in partnership with Cressfield Stud, she was secured outright by the club at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with the long-term view that she will be foundational to its ongoing breeding operations in Australia at The Chase.
From two barrier trials and a debut race win, I Found You looks to have inherited her share of ability and may yet build on the family record created by older half-siblings Shooting To Win (G1 Caulfield Guineas), Deep Field (G2 TAB.Com.Au Stakes and sire) and Zaniah (Listed BRC Ascot Handicap).
“[I Found You] has been like a Christmas present under the tree, I’ve been waiting for three weeks to open her,” co-trainer Peter Snowden said post-race.
“She has got talent and she’s from a great family. She is a half to Deep Field and Shooting To Win by I Am Invincible.
“She has always shown us a bit, she has been a bit small and light and she is just starting to furnish and get a bit of hindquarter and shoulder on her… We will probably give her another run or two now and give her a good education and grounding.”
Peter and Paul Snowden also enjoyed Braveheart delivering on early promise. The brother to AUD3.6 million earner King of Sparta is still a work in progress but lengthened well when asked under the guidance of jockey Tommy Berry.
“We really liked him as a yearling, but he went through a spurt there where he lost it a little bit. He is on his way again now,” Snowden said of Braveheart.
“I think he can go on with it. I’m sure he will be better on top of the ground, the family is much better on top of the ground, but it’s good to see him win like that. It’s a nice result.”
Interestingly, the back-to-back wins at Randwick came three years to the day after another China Horse Club colourbearer, In The Congo, fronted on only his second start. In The Congo would go on to set a race record in the G1 Golden Rose in a glittering career before retiring to stud at Newgate Farm. It will be hoped both I Found You and Braveheart will also rise through the grades over the coming months.
The immediate future of Leicester Square is still to be mapped out but the merit of the three-year-old’s performance and the ride of Oisin Murphy are worthy of applause. The Andrew Balding trainee was well handled to be prominent throughout from his wide draw but still had work to do to account for rivals and lock in his win. That he did so against more season rivals.