Full set for Rathasker as third freshman Es Que Love chalks one up

Few stallion owners would envy the task that Maurice Burns of Rathasker Stud has, launching the stallion careers of three first-season sires this year. But judging by how quickly all three have got off the mark - with Es Que Love the latest to supply a winner - he would appear to be doing a very fine job indeed.

The Matthieu Palussiere-trained colt Love To Excel eased clear in the final furlong en route to a comfortable four-length success in the 5½f claiming race at Dieppe on Tuesday. Daughters of Kendargent and Gale Force Ten filled the placings.

Es Que Love's studmate Bungle Inthejungle has the highest number of winners of any first-season sire in Europe with 11, while Gregorian shares third spot with No Nay Never on four. Gregorian is, like Es Que Love, a nine-year-old son of Clodovil, but stands under the Rathasker banner at the National Stud in Britain.

View race replay and result on France Galop website

Bred by Con Marnane of Bansha House Stables, Love To Excel went unsold at this year's Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Breeze-Up Sale, having also been bought back as a foal at Goffs, and raced on Tuesday in the colours of Theresa Marnane.

He is the first winner out of his placed dam, the Exceed And Excel mare Sakal, who in turn is out of Sentimental, an unraced Galileo half-sister to three stakes performers including the dam of Group 2-winning juvenile Foundation and the prolific handicap scorer Vastonea.

Es Que Love won in Listed company as a three-year-old but showed his best form at five, when trained by Clive Cox to win the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood carrying the colours of Rathasker.

He is the sire of 45 foals of racing age and of those, perhaps the Cox-trained Bruno could be one to watch, having been acquired by the trainer for £62,000 at the Doncaster yearling sales.

Es Que Love is standing his fourth season at Rathasker at an unchanged fee of €5,000.

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