Dundonnell has been a talking horse for Roger Charlton. This American-bred colt by First Defence was an early foal, born in January, and a powerful bay. He made a pleasing introduction when making his debut at Newmarket over 7f on soft ground. The form of that race has been franked with one of today's juveniles in opposition, Afonso De Sousa, behind, while there are form lines with Steeler who won at Goodwood. Charlton rarely has his youngster primed on their first start and he found an ideal race second time when stepping up to a mile. A lowly median auction maiden stakes was a master stroke of a calculated trainer. It was no surprise to see him backed to odds of 1/4f. Clearly the word was out that this colt was going places and that day a mere gallop towards greater challenges. An effortless victory. This race will be a substantial rise in class but a string of lofty Group engagements suggest this is the beginning of an ambitious campaign. The conclusion being the Racing Post Trophy Stakes (Group 1) at the end of October. On a day when Frankel will capture the imagination of the racing world these familiar green, pink & white racing silks of owner K Abdulla will be a perfect apperatiffe to the wonder horse that is Frankel. If Dundonnell leads the way the Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) will be an even sweeter race to savour.
A fantastic day's racing.