White Robe stallion boosts spirits with first winner

[Wandering Eyes]

Ancient Spirit is on the victory board and White Robe Lodge is expecting his progeny to continue to build winning momentum as the season rolls on.

The well-related son of Invincible Spirit has only had a handful of runners and was represented by his first success at Wingatui where when Bobby Mcgee broke her maiden last Friday.

From the stallion’s first crop, the Terry Kennedy-trained three-year-old was making her third appearance and had placed on debut last term.

“It was really nice to get the monkey off the back, it was a nice win as she sat with no cover most of the way and fought on well,” stud manager Wayne Stewart said.

“Ancient Spirit hasn’t had many runners, and they should get over a bit of ground as the season goes on.

“The stallion’s out of a Galileo mare and with our mares they should stay, the reports I’ve been getting are positive and they will develop into middle distance horses.

“He suits what we breed, so hopefully they can get to a good level.”

The German-bred Ancient Spirit is a son of Invincible Spirit and Assisi and won five races, including two at Group Two level.

“We got offered him by bloodstock agent Ed Stapleton and we knew he was a good miler, he won two Listed miles at the Curragh and the German Guineas (Gr.2, 1600m),” Stewart said.

“He was appealing to us, and his second dam won the German Oaks (Gr.1, 2200m) and he’s a half-brother to a Group One winner (Alson).

“Invincible Spirit has done a great job in this part of the world with I Am Invincible.”

Ancient Spirit stands at White Robe alongside the proven Ghibellines and newcomer Alflaila.

By Shamardal, Ghibellines has been a grand source of success with the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) winner Smokin’ Romans his flagship performer while Campaldino claimed this year’s Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m).

“Ghibellines just keeps consistently leaving winners all over the place,” Stewart said.

Alflaila is a son of Dark Angel and stakes performer Oasis Dream mare Adhwaa and was a two-time winner at Group Two and Three level.

“Harry Angel, who’s by Dark Angel, is fully booked in Australia and he’s leaving good winners all the time,” Stewart said.

“Alflaila has a big book of stakes winners and stakes performed mares, so he’s going to get every opportunity.

“I’ve been a bit surprised how many mares are about this season, and he’ll be serving around the 100 mark.”

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