The Prime Thoroughbreds owners were not the only people cheering Shadhavar to victory in the Group I MRC CF Orr Stakes on Saturday.
The progeny of her dam Cross Legend have dominated over the past six weeks, vindicating her purchase for Mark Pilkington and Mark Dawson by Damon Gabbedy of Belmont Bloodstock.
A direct descendant of the elite broodmare Helen Street (dam of Street Cry and grand-dam of Shamardal), Cross Legend was secured with the goal of breeding to Lovatsville's Group 1 winning 2YO son of I Am Invincible, Move To Strike, to ensure a double cross of Helen Street.
Belmont Bloodstock's Damon Gabbedy said: "We initially tried to buy Shadhavar as we thought her pedigree suited Move To Strike perfectly. We couldn't secure her, so we were chuffed to secure her dam, Cross Legend."
The last six weeks have underlined the depth of the family:
- Shadhavar (5m Pride of Dubai) - Group 2 and 3 winner and now a Group I winner at WFA
- Golden Cloud (4g Russian Revolution) - 3 wins in a row in SA
- Have A Crack (6g Zoustar) - huge betting plunge executed by owners to win at Ascot WA last week
- Captain Drago (3g Russian Revolution) Unraced 3YO full brother to Golden Cloud - impressive Flemington jump-out winner
Cross Legend - one of those rare direct descendants of Helen Street - has recently foaled a colt by Move To Strike and is under cover to him again.
A Hanseatic filly ex Cross Legend, also carrying a double cross of Helen Street, will be offered at the 2027 Premier Yearling Sale through the Bell River Thoroughbreds draft.
News from Lovatsville and Belmont Bloodstock
