Wathnan Racing's Damysus Routs Earl Of Sefton Rivals at HQ

Wathnan Racing's Derby also-ran Damysus (Frankel) was last seen bagging Newmarket's G3 Darley Stakes, going nine furlongs in October, and returned over the same course and distance to rout his five rivals under a penalty in Wednesday's G3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes.

“He's not a big horse, but he's more powerful now and when James [Doyle] asked him to go the acceleration was instant,” said John Gosden. “I think he will be better this year, he's more mature and anything from a mile to a mile-and-a-quarter is what James feels will be right for him. He won a Group 3 last year and has won another here, so we could see what he does now in a Group 2 and then have a look at the Group 1s. I wouldn't be frightened at looking at a [G1] Prix d'Ispahan, a race like that would not be out of the question at all. That would lead into [Royal] Ascot where you could be looking at the [G1] Prince of Wales's Stakes. He might wind up running against Ombudsman if they both get to the Prince of Wales's and I would not be surprised to see Damysus in that race. I wouldn't want to be running them against each other really unless it was Royal Ascot.”

Lobbing along in fourth until looming large on the bridle with a quarter-mile remaining, the 7-4 favourite was in command soon after and powered clear in imperious fashion up the hill to easily defeat fellow Wathnan contender King's Gambit (Saxon Warrior) by 3 3/4 lengths.

Pedigree Notes
Damysus is the 11th of 13 foals and one of three black-type winners out of dual Group-winning G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Prix de l'Opera third Legerete (Rahy).
She is also the dam of the multiple Group-placed Listed Prix Matchem victor Pilote (Pivotal), Listed Prix de Bagatelle victrix Esquisse (Dansili) and Listed Prix Ceres third Femina (Siyouni).
Legerete is kin to G2 Prix de Malleret runner-up Underwater (Theatrical), whose own descendants include G2 Vintage Stakes-winning GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf third Aomori City (Oasis Dream) and dual Group 3 winner Soleil Marin (Kendargent).
Legerete's half-sister Icelips (Unbridled) is responsible for three black-type winners, headed by G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Falco (Pivotal), and is from the family of Group 1-winning sire Groom Dancer (Blushing Groom) and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (Anabaa).
Legerete has a 3-year-old filly by St Mark's Basilica and a yearling colt and weanling colt by Nathaniel to come. She is due to be covered by Nathaniel once again this year.

🇬🇧Sefton Stakes @NewmarketRace
Newmarket – Groupe 3 – 4 ans et plus – 1810m – 6 Pts – 93 451 £

🏆Damysus (m4) (Gb) 🏇James Doyle
📖(Frankel?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Frankel (Gb) @JuddmonteFarms – Legerete (Usa) par Halo (Usa))

🕶️J & T Gosden
🎩Wathnan Racing
🐎Hill 'N Dale Farm… pic.twitter.com/ckeWCXc9H5

— French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) April 15, 2026

Wednesday, Newmarket, Britain
BETWAY EARL OF SEFTON STAKES-G3, £95,000, Newmarket, 4-15, 4yo/up, 9fT, 1:49.92, gd.
1–DAMYSUS (GB), 131, c, 4, by Frankel (GB)
                1st Dam: Legerete (MGSW & MG1SP-Fr), by Rahy
                2nd Dam: Sea Hill, by Seattle Slew
                3rd Dam: Featherhill (Fr), by Lyphard
(460,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Newsells Park Stud & Merry Fox Stud; T-John & Thady Gosden; J-James Doyle. £53,875. Lifetime Record: SW-Fr, 7-4-1-1, $238,256. *1/2 to Pilote (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), SW & MGSP-Fr, SP-UAE; Esquisse (GB) (Dansili {GB}), SW-Fr; and Femina (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–King's Gambit (Ire), 128, g, 5, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Pure Symmetry, by Storm Cat. (125,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Roundhill Stud; T-Harry Charlton. £20,425.
3–Boiling Point (Ire), 128, h, 5, Too Darn Hot (GB)–Lady Momoka (Ire), by Shamardal. O-Exors of the Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid; B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; T-Karl Burke. £10,222.
Margins: 3 3/4, 1 3/4, NO. Odds: 1.75, 8.00, 2.50.
Also Ran: Persica (Ire), Prague (Ire), Skukuza (GB).