Blue Gum Farm sire Canford Cliffs has firmed into an odds-on favourite for this year’s first-season winners’ premiership in UK-Ireland.

Silhuette was his 16th individual winner in Europe this year when she scored first-up at Carlisle on Sunday.  The Ann Duffield trained filly dwelt at the start but challenged the leaders at the furlong to defeat odds-on favourite Donjuan Triumphant (Dream Ahead) by a neck.

“She was a bit green but I liked her attitude,” Duffield said.  “She wouldn’t let the other one beat her.”

Silhuette (2f Canford Cliffs – Lisfannon by Bahamian Bounty) is from a mare who retired a maiden after 7 starts and she cost 18,000 pounds at the 2014 Doncaster yearling sale.  She holds an entry for the DBS Stakes at York on August 20.

She is the 7th winner in 8 days for Canford Cliffs who shuttles from Coolmore Ireland to Blue Gum Farm in Euroa.

Canford Cliffs won five Group 1 events during a star-studded racing career.  His first Australian-bred crop are rising two year-olds and he will stand at Blue Gum Farm for a $13,750 (inc gst) fee in 2015.

Betting:  4-6 Canford Cliffs;  6-4 Zoffany;  6 Lilbourne Lad;  6 Dream Ahead;  16 Poet’s Voice