Owner's delight as broodmare purchase's full-brother lands Irish Derby glory

Pedigree updates do not come much bigger then Classic winners and for Chris Stedman, the owner of Frankel's Storm after picking her up at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale, Hurricane Lane's Irish Derby triumph came as the icing on the cake.

Hurricane Lane and Frankel's Storm are by Frankel out of Shirocco's daughter Gale Force and were bred by Philippa Cooper's Normandie Stud.

The full-sister to the Curragh hero was no slouch on the track herself, notching up two wins and a German Listed second for Mark Johnston and Nick Bradley Racing in two seasons of action.

The 160,000gns acquisition, picked up by Chasemore Farm on behalf of Stedman at Park Paddocks last December, came as a consequence of improving his broodmare band.

Stedman said: "I'm really chuffed I've always wanted to upgrade my mares – I've had two or three Flat mares here for several years – and the guys at Chasemore suggested a few. We ended up buying two.

"Ever since I got into racing I've always been interested in the breeding side. I grew up with Mill Reef and horses like that, so it always fascinated me. It's all about trying to solve a puzzle and fortunately I was in a position to give it a try."

Frankel's Storm's year-younger brother – himself a graduate of the Tattersalls sale ring when selling to Godolphin for 200,000gns at Book 1 – showed promise when winning on his only start at two but has taken his form to new heights this term after a win in the Dante and a third in the Derby at Epsom.

Frankel's Storm: picked up for 160,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mare SaleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Stedman, who used to work in the oil industry, added: "We got lucky with Frankel's Storm as her brother has done so well. They liked her as a physical and the page was just so strong too."

The next stage of the story has gone smoothly, with Frankel's Storm in foal to Darley's European champion two-year-old and exciting new sire Too Darn Hot. A decision on whether to retain or sell the progeny will be made in due course.

"We've got to hope she'll produce something that looks nice," said Stedman. "I usually keep them but I've never had a mare of this quality before so I'm keeping an open mind at the minute."

Racing and breeding horses is not a new venture for Stedman, given he has runners in both Britain and France alongside his broodmare bands.

The owner explained: "I've got horses with Gary Moore and Richard Newland, as well as one horse with Ed Walker, and I've also got some jumpers in France with David Cottin.

"I also have four National Hunt broodmares in France with Richard Powell, who's a fantastic guy."

Read more

Just the Italian job! Thirsk selling handicap runner receives eyecatching update

'Time to move on' - Richard Lancaster standing down as Shadwell stud director

Recorder off the mark as Hot Queen rules over them all at Lyon-Parilly