Showing a devasting late turn of foot to capture the Listed WATC Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday, trainers Grant and Alana Williams look to have an exciting mare on their hands after D’Argento’s Ladies Pro has now reeled off three consecutive stakes victories.
Having ended her winter campaign with victories in the Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m) before defeating the boys in the Listed Belmont Classic (2200m), the grey mare had been readied for her return with two Lark Hill barrier trials.
With regular rider William Pike aboard the short priced favourite Cinque Steele who was coming into the race of four consecutive wins, Fred Kersley took the ride aboard Ladies Pro in the feature fillies and mares sprint.
From the inside barrier, Kersely took Ladies Pro forward to settle handy in third position as the Tiarnna Noske trained second favoruite Cessation went forward to take up the running, settling a few lengths clear of In Confidence.
Ladies Pro was getting the run of the race in third on the rail in stark contrast to the favourite who was back with just two behind her.
Turning for home, Kersely came off the rails to make his challenge on the mare, letting down quickly at the 200m mark to chase down the leader and get her head in front with about 25 m to run to pull away to score by a little over a quarter of a length from Cessation who battled on well.
One of two in the race sporting the Peters Investment silks, 50/1 chance Drakaina (NZ) came down the outside to take third, while the favourite Cinque Steele could only manage third after needing to come home from the tail late.
Resuming off a campaign that ended with Listed wins over 2000m & 2200m, 4yo D'Argento mare Ladies Pro highlighted her class with a stunning first up win in the Listed Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) @PerthRacing for @williamsracing6???? @shbloodstock @anz_news @breednet @BownessBoss https://t.co/lTKrZt6EPE
— Bowness Stud & Watershed Farm (@BownessStud) November 14, 2026
“She is such a dynamic horse,” said Kersley. “Now, again, she's come back against a quality enough field as a four-year-old mare and been able to win first-up over 1200m. It was a super effort.”
“At the top of the straight I just had to push the button a bit earlier than I would have liked, so there is a lot of merit in her win.”
Taking her overall record to six wins (three and black type level) and a second from ten starts with earnings of $344,185, Ladies Pro was sold at the Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale for just $45,000 to her trainers and agent Suman Hedge from the draft of Bowness Stud, the home of her sire D’Argento.
“Ladies Pro holds a special place for the family as her dam Il Professionale was our first purchase once we took over the farm from my parents John and Helen North who were transitioning into retirement,” said Bowness Stud's Joss Daly.
“We loved that she’s by Pierro out of a Danehill mare, and having won a couple of races herself from a very solid family, Il Professionale was just a lovely type of mare.
“As the mare’s first foal it was exciting that she always looked neat and light on her feet.
“We’ve been closely watching Ladies Pro from day one and we’re really excited for Grant and Alana Williams as well as her all female ownership group as she continues to get better and better.
“William Pike had stated before that she has such a can do attitude, she goes to sleep when asked in the longer races and will sprint at the press of the button. She keeps turning up and giving her absolute best, we’re thrilled for and applaud Grant and Alana for the way they manage and look after her.
“Able to sprint that way over 1200m first up having come off the back of two Listed staying events, we’re really looking forward to seeing how far she can go, especially as we have a strong draft of 19 D’Argento yearlings heading to the Magic Millions yearling sale in January.”
Bred by Bowness Stud, Ladies Pro is the first runner out of the two-time winning Pierro mare Il Professionale who comes from the family of G1 winners Universal Prince, Universal Queen and Krone, as well as So You Think’s multiple elite level winner and $8.4m earner Think It Over, clearly highlighting that the cross works within the family.
Il Professionale foaled a full sister to Ladies Pro at the end of August with the mare safely back in foal to D’Argento once again.
“Ladies Pro’s full sister foal at foot is a stunning type as well, she’s very strong and already showing explosive speed, we can’t wait to see her on the track one day too,” enthused Daly.
D'Argento has 19 lots catalogued for January’s Magic Millions yearling sale including Lot 1149, a colt bred on the exact same D’Argento x Pierro pedigree cross as Ladies Pro, while another lot bred on a similar pattern is Lot 618, the colt out of the Lonhro mare Snow White, herself a full sister to Pierro as well as half-sister to the dam of stakes winners Estriella, Sandpaper and dual G1 winner Observer.
Another sure to appeal is Lot 576, a full brother to the G3 performed All Kids Of Folk, an impressive winner on Saturday at Doomben over 1600m.
Recording her fourth win from her last nine starts, the Bownmess Stud yearling sale graduate has thoroughly enjoyed her time since transferring north to the Todd Pollard stable.
With ten stakes performers to his record so far, the G1 Rosehill Guineas winning son of So You Think (NZ) is standing this season at a fee of $16,500 (inc. GST).
