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Illustrator breaks maiden at Newcastle

The James Tate-trained Illustrator (2 c ex Amelia May by Dansili) shed his maiden status at the third time of asking at Newcastle on Friday and in the process became the tenth winner for former Twin Hills shuttler Bobby’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy). 

Last seen running fourth at Chelmsford, having finished third at Wolverhampton on debut, he finally got his head in front when beating Super Over (Pearl Secret) by a short-head. Night Force (Dark Angel) was another four and a quarter lengths further back in third. 

Purchased by Rabbah Bloodstock for 21,000gns at Book 3 of the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the colt is the second winner out of the placed Dansili (Danehill) mare Amelia May. 

Amelia May herself is a three-quarter sister to Listed winner Miss Pinkerton (Danehill), with the pair both being out of 1997 Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) winner Rebecca Sharp (Machiavellian). Miss Pinkerton herself is the dam of Group 3 winner Precious Ramotswe (Nathaniel). 

The colt’s third dam is Listed winner Nuryana (Nureyev) - the dam of Group 3 winner Mystic Knight (Caerleon) and Group 2 winner Hidden Hope (Daylami), who in turn produced this year’s Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr 2, 1m4f) winner Frankly Darling (Frankel) and Listed scorer Our Obsession (Shamardal). 

Further back this is the same family as multiple Group 1 winner and now Darley stallion Golden Horn (Cape Cross) and Listed winner Eastern Belle (Champs Elysees). 

Bobby’s Kitten shuttled to Australia for one season in 2017 and now resides exclusively at Lanwades Stud where his in 2020 was advertised as £8,000. KBL Thoroughbreds will offer the only by the sire at Tuesday’s Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale and she will go through the rings as Lot 143.