Ribchester opens his account at stud as 350,000gns filly strikes at Keeneland

Ribchester became the latest first-season sire to field his first winner when daughter Ruthin made an impressive debut in a five and a half furlong maiden special weight at Keeneland.

The two-year-old filly carried the distinctive yellow and maroon silks of Stonestreet Stables made famous by the likes of Lady Aurelia and, having broken smartly, made all the running to come home a most convincing winner.

Although racing in the US for trainer Wesley Ward, the filly was bred and sourced in Britain. She is the ninth foal out of Selinka, a daughter of Selkirk who won the 2007 Oh So Sharp Stakes for owner Robert Barnett and trainer Richard Hannon snr.

Selinka has bred five winners, most notably the Group 3 Mercury Stakes scorer Hit The Bid. Ruthin was bred by Highclere Stud and Jake Warren after the dam was purchased for 100,000gns at the 2015 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

Ruthin herself was offered at Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, where agent Ben McElroy secured her on a bid of 350,000gns, making her the most expensive of Ribchester's offspring to change hands at public auction. His yearlings averaged £61,530 for 71 sold.

Ben McElroy: signed for Ribchester's first winner at 350,000gnsCredit: Tattersalls

The filly is one of 117 two-year-olds in Ribchester's debut crop, with his first book covered at a fee of €30,000 at Darley's Kildangan Stud. He is standing the current season at €17,500.

Having broken his maiden in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes, Ribchester developed into a high-class three-year-old, with victories in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix Jacques le Marois - his first of three Group 1 successes.

Trained by Richard Fahey and initially owned by David Armstrong until purchased privately by Godolphin prior to his Mill Reef strike, the son of Iffraaj returned at four and added two more Group 1s to his record with scores in the Lockinge Stakes and Prix du Moulin.

Ribchester was bred by Andrew Thompson and Mike O'Brien and twice changed hands at the sales, firstly when pinhooked as a foal by Jamie Railton at €78,000 before being signed for by Armstrong's Highfield Farm at €105,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale.

The other first-season sires who have already landed their first winner are Ardad, who has four successes to his name, Caravaggio, with two, and Attendu, Cotai Glory and Profitable, who all have one apiece.

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