Michael Kerr-Dineen

Richard Hannon trainee Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), who retains an entry in next month's G1 Lockinge Stakes, continued on the upgrade with a first pattern-race triumph in Tuesday's G3 bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket. Last term's Listed Doonside Cup victor, who hit the board in February's G3 Winter Derby when last seen, was positioned in second for most of this nine-furlong contest. Relishing the rain-softened ground, the 3-1 chance loomed large going ominously well approaching the quarter-mile marker and powered clear up the hill to account for...

It may have started more by necessity than by desire, but Martin Hughes has now hit the heights that most small breeders can only dream of with his sprinting sensation, Shaquille (GB). A year ago this week, the son of the treble Group 1-winning miler Charm Spirit (Ire) made a winning debut at York. In the ensuing 12 months, he has taken Hughes, who bred Shaquille with Michael Kerr-Dineen, and his friends in the partnership on quite a ride, often with heart in mouth, but on all bar two occasions...